Primroses Saitama. During April, generally the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of April, the city of Saitama host a number of Japanese primrose “Sakurasou” festivals. However, in 2020 and 2021 things were quite different on account of the pandemic. There was just one “event”, that was really just a PR event that disseminated information about primroses. In 2022 things were also quite a bit different, with no stage events or live entertainment. But in 2023, things will be more like before the pandemic at the two festival sites: Sakurasou Park and Urawa Station.
Primroses Saitama
Sakurasou or Sakuraso is written in Japanese with the kanji for cherry blossoms and for grass i.e. cherry blossom grass. However, Japanese primrose is the name used in English for this flower. The flower doesn’t look that much like cherry blossoms nor does the shibazakura, or moss phlox as its called in English, but both are classified as coming under the “sakura” umbrella.
Sakurasou is actually the official flower of Saitama Prefecture. Despite that there is only really one *notable* place to see Japanese primroses in all of Saitama. And that is in the Tajima area of Sakura Ward in Saitama City. The primrose is also the official flower of the city (Saitama city). The park the sakurasou bloom in – aptly named Sakurasou park – is a designated national natural monument. For what its worth: the park also has some beautiful cherry blossoms. Often you can see the primrose and cherry blossoms bloom at the same time. However, this year the sakura are early, so the Somei Yoshino variety will be finished by the time of the primrose festival.
2023 Japanese Primrose Festival
The primrose festival in Saitama City is a family friendly flower festival in Sakurasou park. 2020 would have been the 100th anniversary of the festival, but due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency the festival did not go ahead as planned. Last year, 2022, there was a “festival” in mid April. But it was nothing like a regular festival with no events, live or stage performances and no festival booths. In 2023, they will have a full festival on Sunday April 16th, with stage performances and festival booths.
Urawa Station
Moreover, they will also have a two day festival at Urawa station, on Saturday April 15th and Sunday April 16th. In 2022 and 2021 they just had a display of exhibitions and information dissemination really, but in 2023 they will have some festival booths too.
Information
Event: (Saitama City) Primrose Festival 2023 さくら草まつり
Date: April 16th at Sakurasou Park. April 15th and 16th at Urawa Station.
Time: 10 am to 3 pm at Sakurasou Park. 9 am to 4 pm at Urawa Station.
Venue: Sakurasou Park, 3542-1 Tajima, Sakura Ward, Saitama, 338-0837. Map below.
Access
Sakuraso Park is about 20 minute walk from Nishi Urawa station.
>>Current events in Saitama Prefecture<<
Updated annually, republished every couple of years. Last republish: April 10th 2022. Last updated March 20th 2023. event/primroses-saitama