Tokorozawa City used to be a key spot for roses every year in May. Until 2018, for 20 years, there was an annual international rose festival, that drew people from near and far. Not just any old rose festival at that, it was Japan’s largest gardening festival. The festival has been greatly missed since they discontinued it. But, never fear, there is a still a really picturesque rose spot in Tokorozawa. Moreover, it is right beside Tokyo. In fact, many people think it is in Tokyo: Seibuen Amusement Park’s rose garden. More than just a rose garden, they have several Instagenic photo spots and a rose ‘hanachozu’ (floating flowers) – in a bath! And this year, 2026, Licca-chan also features in the SPRING rose festival as part of an ongoing Licca-chan event at the amusement park.
Roses at Seibuen, Tokorozawa
The above photo was taken of the entrance to the rose garden out of season. It looks infinitely better during rose season. According to the official website, the roses start to bloom from early May in spring. In Autumn, they bloom from around the end of October. The rose garden is home to around 1,400 rose bushes representing approximately 150 varieties, providing visitors with a colorful display in both spring and autumn.
Rose Festa at Seibuen, near Tokyo
The 2026 Seibuen Rose Festa is on from Saturday May 9th to Sunday June 14th 2026. During that time they have one of the old Big Wheel carriages set up as a photo spot with dozens of roses. The Big Wheel was torn down, due to old age, a year after Seibuen reopened as a Showa Retro theme park. They will also have an elegant bath filled with roses, like a ‘hanachozu’. In addition they have a two meter rose tower, made of 170 roses.
In addition, they will have a rose tour and separately a rose picking experience on the four dates during the period. That is Saturday May 16th, Sunday May 17th, Saturday May 23rd and Sunday May 24th. You get to take a rose home with you if you participate in the picking event. There is no additional cost. However, the tour is limited to ten people and the picking to five people each day. The tour starts from 11.35 am and is on for about 30 minutes. The picking event is at 2.30 pm
In the shopping ‘sunset’ street some of the restaurants and eateries will have limited edition menus for the period of the festival.
The feature photo and the Licca-chan photos and the two images above are from Seibuen Amusement Park and PR Times. The rest are my own.
SPRING Rose Festival x Licca Chan
In 2026, Seibuen simultaneously have a Licca Chan event on in the amusement park for the SPRING event. Licca chan is Japan’s equivalent of the Barbie Doll. For the occasion this year the rose tower at the entrance to the park is Licca-chan themed. There will be Licca-chan photo props both in the white garden and the English garden too.
10 other places for beautiful roses in Saitama Prefecture.
| Autumn Rose Festa |
|---|
| The 2026 Autumn Rose Festa takes place from 26th October to 23rd November 2026. This year’s theme is “Sweets”, with beautifully scented roses such as Raspberry Macaron and Chocolate Brûlée taking centre stage. In addition to the roses themselves, visitors can enjoy concerts, photo opportunities, guided tours, a rose-themed rally, photo contests and rose picking experiences on selected dates. ➡Rose Garden Concerts on weekends and public holidays ➡Rose Garden Photo Sessions on weekends and public holidays ➡Rose Love Letter Rally ➡Rose Picking Experience ➡Guided Rose Garden Tours ➡Rose Garden Photo Contest ➡Favorite Rose General Election |
Event Information
Event: Seibuen Rose Festa 西武園バラフェスタ 2026年春
Date: from Saturday May 9th to Sunday June 14th 2026. (Autumn festa; mid October to mid November).
Times: the base hours of the amusement park are from 10 am to 5 pm.
Cost: a ticket with unlimited access to the amusement rides costs 4900 per adult, 4200 yen for high school students (JHS & SHS) and 3600 per child. Children aged 3 until school age now require a ticket, which costs ¥1,900. For the autumn rose festa visitors aged 60 and over can purchase a special “Adult Rose Ticket” for ¥2,900, which includes admission and unlimited rides. Identification showing age is required.
Venue: Seibuen Amusement Park, 2964 Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1145. View on Google maps.
Access
Train: Seibuen is Minutes walk from Seibu Yuuenchi station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. Car: Approximately 10 kilometers / 20 minutes drive, from the Iruma Interchange of the Ken-o highway. Parking costs 1800 yen for the day.