Yono Park Rose Festival and Autumn Roses in 2023

Information for the Yono Rose Festival Yono in 2023.

The Yono Rose Festival was on in 2022 after a three year hiatus due to the pandemic. Yono Park, where the festival is held, made quite a name for itself during the pandemic, when they cut all the beautiful roses in the spring of 2020 to deter people visiting!

2023 Information

Yono park, Saitama City, is known locally for its roses in both spring and autumn. The spring rose festival at the park is relatively new – it started around 2009. However, the park itself is quite old, with more than 140 years of history.

During the first two years of the pandemic the rose festivals were cancelled. Moreover, as aforementioned, they actually lopped the heads of all the roses to deter people visiting. They actually weren’t the only park to take such drastic action, but they were the first in Saitama. Many parks followed suit, including Kinchakuda Park in Hidaka where they mowed down the famous spider lilies the following September.

Yono Park Rose Festival

While the rose festival went ahead in 2022, it was little like a ‘normal’ year. There was no live music and dance performances, except for one mini concert that required an advance seat reservation. However, in 2023, things are a lot more like before the pandemic. For example, the live performances are back on the schedule. Stage events will include such things as taiko performances, dance and live music. In addition, there will be a market, workshops and guided tours.

The festival is, all things equal, on Saturday May 20th and Sunday May 21st in 2023, in Yono Park. However, the festival may be cancelled in the event of rain. Although it is unlikely, the pandemic may also influence the situation. Please check Saitama Tourism and International Bureau’s site for any last minute changes.

Yono Park Roses in Autumn

The roses grow again in Autumn, generally around mid to late October. They don’t have a festival per se, but there is usually a “rose concert” in October. It was on Sunday October 9th in 2022, but you had to apply in advance to attend. Moreover, it was on before the rose season. Its too early for the Autumn information for 2023, but hopefully, things will go back to normal for the Autumn roses too. More information on the organizer’s website.

Rose Festival Access

Saitama City request that you come by public transport. The rose garden in Yono Park is a 15 minute walk from Yono Honmachi station on the JR Saikyo Line.

Other rose gardens / festivals and even cafes in Saitama Prefecture

• Ina Rose Festival and Season
• Seasonal flowers and Japan’s longest rose tunnel Heiseinomori Park
• Rose garden and festival in Sayama
• Takinoiri Rose Garden and the Yuzu Walkway
• Garden Cafe Greenrose in Moroyama
• Rose Garden Cafe Greenfinger Tsurugashima
• An elegant cafe with beautiful garden; Bara no Komichi

First published May 2017. Moved from the event calendar and republished in April 2022. Last update: April 22nd 2023