Tokigawa Town in the Hiki District of Saitama Prefecture is just over an hour from Tokyo. The town is famed for a rarer type of Iris; Iris Japonica or Butterfly flowers in English. However, there is also a small Iris garden in the town with the “hanashobu” variety of Iris:Read More →
The Kawajima Spring Festival is set to go ahead for the first time in three years, on this the 50th anniversary of Kawajima Town. However, in 2022 it will be a low key event, or at least not the full complement of previous years. Actually, the “Kawajima Spring Festival” isRead More →
Komonoyasan means accessory shop. But this little gem along the Toki River is actually an outdoor cafe, rich in character and charm. Furthermore, it is a particularly photogenic cafe; in a scenic natural setting with dozens of photo props. Currently, you can get a front row seat to the yaezakuraRead More →
A mini post to introduce an open garden of moss phlox in Tokigawa. A beautiful private garden of pink, white and purple moss phlox. I absolutely adore moss phlox. Long before I even came to Japan. But after seeing the moss phlox of both Mt Fuji and Hitsujiyama since comingRead More →
Thousands of Icelandic Poppies in Saitama Prefecture. Information for the annual Icelandic Poppy Fields of Shinrin Park (Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park), Namegawa Town, Saitama. This post was originally about the horse riding event, that took place annually in the poppy fields, but has been adjusted and republished for theseRead More →
Ranzan Cherry Blossoms, sans festival with ‘sakura hanabi’ cherry blossom fireworks and horseback archery. Unfortunately, Ranzan Town announced back in Autumn that, once again there will be no cherry blossom festival in 2022. It is such a shame that the Ranzan cherry blossom festival can’t go ahead in 2022 asRead More →
Off the beaten path cherry blossoms and sakura boat ride, on the Ando River, in Kawajima Town, Saitama Prefecture. Updated March 5th with Kawazuzakura Information. It looks like 2022 maybe another year that off the beaten path cherry blossoms will be in demand, as Omicron has yet to loosen itsRead More →
Happy Spring Park – Shinrin Park is Saitama’s largest, and in my humble opinion, best park. It was Japan’s first national park, constructed as part of a Meiji centennial project. It’s official name is Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park. However, it is most commonly called Shinrin Park. Shinrin Park holdRead More →
If you’ve been to the natural outdoor ice rink in Tokigawa, you have no doubt seen the stable you have to pass to access the skate rink. If you haven’t yet been to the natural ice rink – here’s another reason to get there this season! Because the “Tokigawa HorseRead More →
An off the beaten path spot for Canola flowers in Saitama Prefecture. They actually stretch for miles; from Kawajima Town, through Yoshimi all the way up to Konosu. This post focuses on the area in Kawajima. Every single day of the year has at least one flower of the day.Read More →