5 Reasons to Visit the Spring 2019 “Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival”

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

Many of the travelers visiting Japan in the springtime are seeking out the beautiful pink blooms of cherry blossoms. This time we will be introducing shiba-sakura, or moss phlox, which spreads a carpet of pink blooms on the ground rather than on trees. The “2019 Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival,” where you’ll be able to fully enjoy these beautiful flowers, will be taking place from April 13th (Saturday) until May 26th (Sunday), 2019, at Fuji Motosuko Resort (Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture).

Below we will be introducing 5 reasons you should stop by this event.

<Reason 1> Enjoy Both the World Heritage Site Mt. Fuji and the Shiba-Sakura at the Same Time

At this time of year there’s still snow atop Mt. Fuji’s peak, making it at its height of beauty. The combined view of Mt. Fuji in this state with the pink shiba-sakura is absolutely breathtaking! Social media is sure to be flooded with pictures of just cherry blossoms alone, so the photos you can get here are sure to leave a lasting impression!

Take photos of a miniature Mt. Fuji made of shiba-sakura alongside the real thing
Take photos of a miniature Mt. Fuji made of shiba-sakura alongside the real thing

<Reason 2> A Different Type of Cherry Blossom

When you think of cherry blossoms, or sakura, you’re likely picturing blossoms up in a tree that’s 5-15 meter tall. However, the cherry blossoms here are known as shiba-sakura, or moss phlox, a different variety to those that grow on trees. Shiba-sakura is a perennial plant of the Polemoniaceae family, while standard cherry blossoms are of the Rosaceae family. Moss phlox blooms in April and May, developing into pale pink, red, pale purple, and white flowers, and it was given the name shiba-sakura (“lawn cherry blossoms”) in Japanese because of the blossoms’ similar shape to cherry blossoms. The pale pink and purple blossoms bloom close together, creating a beautiful carpet-like covering. Regular cherry blossoms are found up high, while these are a similarly striking sight on the ground.

There are 8 varieties of shiba-sakura in bloom at Fuji Motosuko Resort. Enjoy the different colors!
There are 8 varieties of shiba-sakura in bloom at Fuji Motosuko Resort. Enjoy the different colors!

<Reason 3> Plenty of Gourmet Options

The “Mt. Fuji Delicious Foods Festival” is an event celebrating delicious food items found around Mt. Fuji, and it is also home to the “Mt. Fuji Noodle Tour,” a collection of local specialty noodles from around the area! The noodle lineup features a total of 6 dishes, including popular local dishes like “Koshu kabocha hoto,” “Yoshida udon (a type of udon with firm, chewy noodles),” and “Fujinomiya yakisoba,” as well as lesser-known but equally delicious dishes like “Gotenba mikuriya soba,” “Narusawa sendo soba (warm soba topped with lots of shredded daikon radish),” and “Shiba-sakura ramen.”

A great lineup of popular local noodle dishes!
A great lineup of popular local noodle dishes!

There will also be a variety of eye-catching dishes perfect for uploading photos of to social media, like “Mt. Fuji fried fish paste,” which is shaped like Mt. Fuji, and “Mt. Fuji shiba-sakura anman,” a steamed bun filled with red bean paste! Halal options for Muslim visitors are also available, including authentic fresh-baked naan bread and Indian-style curry.

The Mt. Fuji fried fish paste is delicious and has a great chewy texture!
The Mt. Fuji fried fish paste is delicious and has a great chewy texture!
Mt. Fuji shiba-sakura anman and butter chicken curry with naan set
Mt. Fuji shiba-sakura anman and butter chicken curry with naan set

<Reason 4> Plenty of Great Photo-Ops!

Now Even More Photo Spots!

During 2019’s festival, a large number of photo spots and monuments decorated with shiba-sakura will be scattered about, fitting into the theme of “a pink dreamscape”! Between a 2.5-meter-tall tower made out of shiba-sakura and other flowers, a 70-meter-long flower wall, and the fountain in Lake Ryujin, there are plenty of great photo-ops!

Take beautiful pictures surrounded by pink shiba-sakura!  ※Images are mockups.
Take beautiful pictures surrounded by pink shiba-sakura! ※Images are mockups.

A Brand-New Balloon Ride Experience

Take a ride on a hot air balloon here at the Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival and look out over the area from up to 20 meters high! Take in the view below of 800,000 shiba-sakura blooms and Mt. Fuji!

Balloon Experience Event Details

Fee
Adults 2,500 yen, children 1,500 yen ※Not available to children under 3 years of age.
Dates
April 19th (Friday) through May 19th (Sunday) (tentative)
Hours
From opening until noon (tentative)
Ride up in a hot air balloon and take in the view!  ※Image is a mockup.
Ride up in a hot air balloon and take in the view! ※Image is a mockup.

Kimono Wearing Experience

Put on a kimono and take beautiful pictures with Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji and the shiba-sakura!

Kimono Wearing Experience Details

Fee
Yes (inquire directly for price)
Dates
April 27th (Saturday) through May 6th (Monday)
Available For
Women and couples only
Take photos in beautiful kimonos!  ※Image is a mockup.
Take photos in beautiful kimonos! ※Image is a mockup.

<Reason 5> Easy Access

Both the JR direct train “Fuji Excursion” and an express buss from Shinjuku travel to the venue.

Access

  • 2 hours and 25 minutes by Chuo Kosoku Bus to the “Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival” grounds. (Board the bus at the “Shinjuku Bus Terminal” outside of Shinjuku Station’s south exit.)
  • About 1 hour and 52 minutes by JR limited direct train “Fuji Excursion” from JR Shinjuku Station to “Kawaguchiko Station.” Then about 30 minutes by “Shiba-Sakura Liner” bus to the grounds.
  • Take the JR Chuo Limited Express “Azusa” or “Kaiji,” switch to the Fujikyu Line’s “Fujisan Limited Express” or “Fujisan View Limited Express” at Otsuki Station, and ride for about 1 hour and 45 minutes until you reach “Kawaguchiko Station.” Then about 30 minutes by “Shiba-sakura Liner” bus to the grounds.

Please see below for more details on access methods

<Great-Value Info> The Mt. Fuji Pass Makes Traveling Around the Mt. Fuji Area Convenient and Cheap!

The “Mt. Fuji Pass” is a special ticket available to travelers from outside of Japan, giving you unlimited rides on the Fujikyu Line and bus routes around Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures! The ticket can be bought for 1-day to 3-day periods, so you can choose the version that best fits your schedule. The ticket also grants you special benefits at select local facilities!

There are lots of sightseeing locations around Mt. Fuji other than just the shiba-sakura!
There are lots of sightseeing locations around Mt. Fuji other than just the shiba-sakura!
Price
1-day ticket 5,500 yen, 2-day ticket 8,000 yen, 3-day ticket 10,000 yen
Sales Locations
Fujikyu ticket windows at Otsuki Station, Kawaguchiko Station, Mt. Fuji Station, Asahigaoka bus terminal, Gotemba Station, Mishima Station, Shin-Fuji Station, and Fujinomiya Station. Can also be purchased through overseas travel agencies.

If you’re interested in picking up this great-value pass, see the official sales page below! It also introduces a variety of other things to enjoy around Mt. Fuji other than the shiba-sakura.

Basic Information on the 2019 Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival

Address
212 Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Location
Fuji Motosuko Resort
Dates
April 13th (Saturday) through May 26th (Sunday), 2019
※May change based on flower blooming. Open every day.
Hours
8am-5pm
※May change based on amount of visitors.
Admission
Adults (junior high school students and up) 600 yen, children (3 years and up) 250 yen
URL(English)
http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/