If you think Japan only offers stunning sakura views, we must say that you are missing out on a lot. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival in Japan features a stunning display of colorful moss phlox in a variety of shades of pink.
This festival takes place at Fuji Motosuko Resort that is situated near the base of Mt. Fuji. In 2025, the festival will take place from 13th April to 26th May, spanning a little over a month.
Visit this place once and you’ll see why it rivals the sakura blossoms of Japan!
Fuji Shibazakura Festival 2025: All The Information You Need To Know
What Is Shibazakura?
Shibazakura is the Japanese name for moss phlox that roughly translates to “lawn-cherry”. Moss phlox is a small groundcover that is native to the United States. It is a low-growing shrub that blooms in shades of pink.
When they bloom, they fill the landscape with a mesmerizing pop of pink, enough to rival the beauty of the pink and white sakura. Along with the shibazakura festival at Fuji Motosuko Resort, the Chichibu Shibazakura Festival in Saitama is also a popular festival to visit.
The shibazakura blooms are short-lived and almost always bloom between mid-April and late-May.
What’s In Store At The Fuji Shibazakura Festival 2025
The festival is known for its breathtaking display of over 5,00,000 shibazakura (pink moss or phlox moss). This festival will take place from 12th April to 26th May, 2025.
Over the course of a little over a month, the festival will display different varieties of shibazakura that bloom in more than a dozen shades of pink.
Be it light pink, fuchsia pink, or dusty pink, there are innumerable shades of this pretty color in full bloom.
It will feature plenty of stunning floral decorations that will make for the perfect photo-op session with your family and friends.
We’re talking about a yellow door, a pink beach, an installation resembling Mt. Fuji, a small boat, and a rainbow circle bench among others.
These installations showcase the multiple ways in which artists have carefully manicured the moss and flowers and created interesting shapes and structures. The resort also houses a small lake that is surrounded by pink fields of shibazakura – a sight to behold!
However, that is not all! The festival is known for its wide variety of food stalls and souvenir shops. You will find stalls here that sell pink moss as well as shibazakura-themed souvenirs.
Here, you’ll also find a wide variety of traditional Japanese street food and fresh produce, some of which are regional delicacies from the nearby regions.
Best Time To Visit Shibazakura Festival
Views of the pink shibazakura are best enjoyed early in the morning. This is when the crowd is minimal and on most days in April and May, the visibility is excellent.
The premises of the festival open up at 8:00 AM and close by 4:00 PM, so make sure you visit as early as possible, before 10 or 11 AM.
We recommend visiting the festival mostly in the morning also because you’ll encounter less traffic. It is recommended that you not visit the festival during weekends as there will be ample crowds no matter what time of the day you visit.
Also, avoid visiting the place during Japan’s Golden Week Holidays. These comprise of four national holidays that fall within the same week:
- Showa Day (29 April)
- Constitution Day (3 May)
- Greenery Day (4 May)
- Children’s Day (5 May)
How To Get To Fuji Shibazakura Festival
There are plenty of transportation options to help you reach Fuji Shibazakura Festival. Remember that Kawaguchiko is the main point of transport here. It enjoys excellent connectivity from Tokyo and many other neighboring regions – be it buses, trains, or taxis.
From Tokyo’s Shinjuku station, you can take direct trains to Kawaguchiko, both local trains as well as express/limited trains. If you do not wish to travel by train, you can hop on to a highway bus from Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Shibuya stations.
However, if you’re all about flexibility and convenience, and don’t mind paying extra bucks, you can hire a private driver service to take you to the venue.
While this option is certainly way costlier than getting a bus or a train, you can make flexible arrangements and tour as per your convenience.
There are regular buses leaving every couple of hours from Fujisan, Shin-Fuji, and Kawaguchiko Stations to the venue.
From Kawaguchiko Station, you can board the special Shibazakura Line shuttle bus that will directly take you to the venue.
This bus leaves roughly every hour and purchasing its ticket covers your admission fees to the festival as well.
However, remember that this bus has limited seats so make sure you queue up on time.
Important Details About Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Dates: 13th April to 26th May
Address: Fuji Motosuko Resort, 212 Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0338, Japan
Timings: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily
Entry Fee: 1,000 to 1,300 Yen (INR 600 to INR 783) for adults; Free of cost for children under the age of 3
Summing Up
Hurry up – it’s time to pack your bags and visit the Fuji Shibazakura Festival!
While the cherry blossom season in Japan is well-known, this festival also deserves more attention than it gets.
Come to Japan for the sakura and stay for the shibazakura!
So, what are you waiting for?
FAQs
Is The Fuji Shibazakura Festival Worth It?
Yes, absolutely! The Fuji Shibazakura Festival features colorful blooms of pink moss that will take your breath away. Plus, it offers stunning views of Mount Fuji and Lake Motosu, making your trip worth it!
What Is The Best Season To See Fuji?
Months of December and January are considered to be the best for viewing Mt. Fuji as the dry air allows for more visibility. The mountain is covered in snow during this time, making the view even more spectacular.
Are There Flowers Near Mount Fuji In May?
Yes, shibazakura, a pink moss, is in full bloom in the months of April and May. This moss is spread near the base region of the mountain. On a clear, sunny day, you are likely to get a mesmerizing view of the pink moss with Mt. Fuji in the background.
