Information for the latest display at Aobaen in Saitama City. The display changes every 6 to 8 weeks. Currently, the display is of Japanese fans.
Until the second half of 2024, they changed displays within a day, but recently they have been taking a break between displays of up to two weeks. So there may be a short break after a display is taken down and before the next display is put up. But you can usually still see “hanachozu”, floating flowers, in that period. Also, please note, that as Aobaen has become more and more famous, they have had to introduce some photography rules. Mainly, please do not take photos when there is a memorial service on nearby and keep pets in carriers.
With the exception of the current feature photo (at the top of the post) all the photos in this post are the author’s own, unless otherwise stated, and not for reuse without permission.
Tunnel of color
Since around August 2022, Aobaen Cemetery in Saitama City, have a permanent wooden trellis in front of their three tiered pagoda, beside Aoba Shrine. Each month they create a tunnel of color with something different! They have seven different displays; each stay up for between one and two months. They include Japanese fans, origami cranes, wind chimes, prayer plaques, pinwheels, colorful lanterns and teru teru bozu.
Insider tip: at the east rest area (beside Sanmon restaurant) there is also another display. Sometimes it reflects the current display at the trellis, sometimes it showcases the colorful items from the previous display. As was the case in January 2026; it showed the gorgeous decorative fans from the Autumn display (as shown in the picture below, taken January 27th 2026).
Colorful Display Aobaen Saitama City
I have seen several of the displays personally. So I’ve left some photos of the previous displays in this post, as they repeat each year. However, even though they repeat each year, they often change the colors, so there is always something new to see. They rarely announce the start or end date in advance. Typically the displays are up for at least 4 weeks, but most often 6 to 8 weeks.
Hanachozu
Another new feature Aobaen introduced in late 2022 are floating flowers in the water font for the Aoba shrine by the pagoda. Make sure you check out the roof, which isn’t visible at eye level for the average adult, you have to hunker down! …
Flowers
One of the best times to visit the hanachozu is April as wisteria, azalea, yaezakura, dogwood, tulips and shibazakura (moss phlox) bloom in the area around the floating flowers. In late May and June there is hydrangea. There are sunflowers in the month of August. In winter you can see wintersweet in bloom on the grounds. Please be sure to check the main article about this unique cemetery for even more photos and detailed information about the seasonal flowers.
Koinobori x Pagoda
They put the koinobori (carp streamers) up before Golden Week and they are usually up until mid-May. In 2026 they will up until May 10th.
Information
Event: Aobaen Japanese Fan Corridor
Date: September to mid-October 2026
Time: office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, but the corridor area is open from 8 am to 4.30 pm.
Cost: free and free parking.
Venue: Aobaen, 5 Chome-1505 Mihashi, Nishi Ward, Saitama, 331-0052. View on Google Maps.
Access
The cemetery is located close to the crossroads for Mihashi Park on national route 17. However, on the opposite side of the road to the park. There are four car parks. Both the South and the West car park both have wisteria in them. You can actually park under wisteria in the West car park! It blooms before the natural monument wisteria. In 2023 and 2024 it was already in bloom by April 12th. It was early in 2025 too and by May 1st it was pretty much finished.
The nearest station on foot is Nishi Omiya station on the Saikyo / Kawagoe line. Its about a 25 minute walk from the cemetery. Sashiogi station on the same line is about 30 minutes on foot. The O25 bus goes to Aobaen bus stop from JR Omiya station. It takes about 10 minutes on the bus. To walk from JR Omiya Station would take about 40 minutes.
Editor’s note; originally written about the pinwheels – March to April 24th 2023. Koinobori are also put up in April and stay up until mid-May on average. 20230412. Last update September 2026.
wonderful photos Lynda!
Thanks Andy, it helps when the location is as beautiful as this!