Tips to Visit Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Why Visit the Fuji Flower Festival?
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり, Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri) is one of the best and most popular occasions nationwide to see shibazakura (pink moss or phlox moss in English). The venue of the festival is located about three kilometers south of Lake Motosuko in the Fuji Five Lakes area, offering breathtaking views of vast fields of shibazakura, with Mount Fuji in the backdrop on clear days.

When to Best Visit the Shibazakura?

The festival is typically held from mid April through early June. The best time to see the flowers varies from year to year but usually falls into the first three weeks of May. Approximately 800,000 stalks of shibazakura of five varieties are on display, producing delightful fields of pink, white and purple colors in different hues. Festival stalls selling pots of pink moss, shibazakura-themed souvenirs, food and local produce complete the experience.

As the venue of the Fuji Shibazakura Festival can get quite crowded due to its popularity, it is advisable to avoid visiting on weekends or over the Golden Week holidays. Visiting early in the mornings is generally good to avoid congestion and for good visibility, although lighting for photos tends to be better in the afternoon.

ACCESS to Visit Fuji Shibazakura Festival

By Shibazakura Liner shuttle bus

A shuttle bus, called the Shibazakura Liner, connects Kawaguchiko Station and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival's venue (30 minutes, 1-2 departures per hour) during the festival period. A 2000 yen ticket includes the round trip and the admission fee.

By regular bus

There is one regular bus every 1-2 hours between Fujisan Station, Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Motosuko and Shin-Fuji Station. During the festival period, some of these buses make a stop outside the festival venue at the Fuji Shibazakura Iriguchi bus stop. The ride takes 50 minutes and costs 1230 yen from Kawaguchiko Station, or 75 minutes and 1710 yen from Shin-Fuji Station.

By direct highway bus from Tokyo

During the duration of the festival, Fujikyu operates two highway buses per day between Shinjuku and the festival site. The one way trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2200 yen. Advance reservations are required.

By bus tour

Another way to access the festival is through a tour. Countless tours are offered by multiple companies, but only a few companies target foreign travelers. Among them is Japanican which offers a tour starting from Tokyo that combines a visit to the festival with strawberry picking.

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The weather in Kawaguchiko in April and May reaches maximum temperatures of between 16 to 20°C but can go as low as 3°C at night. So it is wise to carry a light jacket or extra sweater to come prepared for chilly winds. It only rains eight days a month during spring here, so chances are, you will have splendid weather.

Open Hours Shibazakura Festival 2018

April 14 to May 27, 2018: 8:00 to 17:00

No closing days during festival period.

Not open outside of festival period.

Admission Fee to Visit Fuji Shibazakura Festival

600 yen

Souvenir from Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Sakura Sake, which comes in a re-usable blue-and-white bottle in the shape of Mt Fuji.

Shibazakura Manju sweet bean buns, one of the festival’s most popular souvenirs

Some impressive items available include Shibazakura Festival-branded wine, some of which contain real cherry blossoms inside the bottle

Shibazakura chocolate, which comes with a pink, sakura-flavoured filling

credits information : japan guide, http://travelonthebrain.net/

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