Hitsujiyama Park

Hitsujiyama Park, A Hillside Park In Chichibu Where About Four Hundred Thousand Moss Phlox (Shibazakura) Bloom In Pink, White And Purple Carpets From Mid April To Early May, With A View Of The Chichibu Mountains. A Spring Only Draw. · Chichibu, Saitama

Hitsujiyama Park is a hillside park on the edge of Chichibu in Saitama, known for its moss phlox. About 400,000 plants of several varieties (shibazakura) spread over the slope in carpets of pink, white and purple, with the Chichibu mountains behind, Mount Buko among them. The name means Sheep Hill, from the days when sheep grazed here. Peak bloom runs from mid April to early May, and the Shibazakura Festival draws large crowds then, with an entrance fee during the festival - confirm. It is a day trip from Tokyo, about 80 minutes by the Seibu Chichibu Line from Ikebukuro, and pairs well with the Chichibu Railway, where a steam locomotive runs on some days. It suits flower lovers, photographers and families. It is worth the detour in the bloom weeks and not outside them, when the slope is plain grass. Expect long queues on fine weekends, and visit in the morning for quieter paths and softer light. Chichibu town also has a shrine and a famous night festival, so the trip can fill a full day.

Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu, Saitama, a short walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station or Hitsujiyama Station on the Chichibu Railway, Chichibu, Saitama, Japan

The park is open through the day, and the flower slope has set hours in the festival season, with the last entry about an hour before closing - confirm. Outside the bloom weeks, the park is free and open at all hours, but the moss phlox is not in flower. During the festival, from mid April to early May, an entrance fee applies, and a shuttle bus or special trains run from the stations. From Ikebukuro, take the Seibu Chichibu Line limited express, called Laview, about 80 minutes to Seibu-Chichibu Station, then walk about 20 minutes or take a shuttle. Cash is useful at small stalls. Come in the morning on weekends, when the queues are short.

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