Traditional Japanese skills carried on for future generations.
Suzuka Forest Garden features a collection of precious weeping Japanese plum trees. Many of them are Kureha Shidare and some are classified in the largest class in Japan. This is a research and cultivation farm that enables the Japanese traditional cultivation skills to be handed on to future generations. The garden is open to the public only while the plum trees are blooming in the early spring. In the night time illumination period, you can enjoy a spectacular view of about 200 magnificent plum trees in bloom lit up beautifully.
Scheduled to be open from Saturday, 17 February until late March, 2024.
* The last business day of this year is Sunday, March 17, 2024.
* Please see posts of Photo Contest 2023 and Photo Contest 2024 in Instagram
Visitor Information
The following is the information for 2024. About the Weeping Plum Festival 2025, please wait to be updated.
| Opening Period |
From Saturday, 17 February until late March, 2024 * Depending on the blossoming condition or social situation, the garden may be closed even in the period. Please check before coming. |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours |
Normal opening hours: 9:00 to 16:00 * Last admission is at 15:30 or 20:00. |
| Entrance Fees |
* Entrance fees may change depending on the condition of the flowers in bloom. * Please check our website for the latest information on the entrance fees. * Re-entry is basically not permitted. Re-entry with a one-day ticket |
| Location |
Yamamoto-cho 151-2, Suzuka, Mie 519-0315 Car navigation search map code: 213 718 475 * The garden’s name in Japanese is “Suzuka no Mori Teien.” |
|---|---|
| Phone | 059-371-1777 |
| Restrooms | Temporary restrooms are located inside and outside the garden, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms, though they are simplified ones. |
| Wheelchairs | Rental wheelchairs are available for free of charge on a first-come basis at the entrance.
* A person who pushes the wheelchair is needed as the ground is covered with gravel and there are some slopes in the garden. |
| Requests to Visitors |
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| Health and Safety Measures |
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| One-day ticket |
One-day tickets (One-day Pass) are sold at the ticket booth.
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Getting to Suzuka Forest Garden
Suzuka Forest Garden locates far from major railway stations. If you travel by train, please consider using a taxi or shuttle bus to the garden.
In addition, there are no taxis stationed at the park, so if you are coming by taxi, we recommend that you make a reservation for your return trip.
Please use a taxi from each station. Or shuttle buses are available from JR and Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station on the following dates.
Mie Kotsu Company provides paid shuttle bus service between JR Yokkaichi Station and the Garden via Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station from February 23 to March 17, 2024.
For further information, please see the leaflet with English translation as below.
Night Time Illumination
Please check our website for the latest information on the night time illumination. Please come wearing warm clothes as it gets very cold at night.
Must-See Sights
Miharashidai (View Point)
The best spot to view the entire garden and the Suzuka mountain range that forms the perfect background including Mt. Shaka on a clear day.
Shidare Plum flaked in snow
Only once in a few years do the blooming of the plum trees and a snowfall coincide. The rose-colored plum blossoms stand out over the silvery backdrop.
Japanese garden layout “Mitate”
It incorporates techniques seen in Japanese gardens since ancient times, such as “Tsurushima (Crane Island)・Kamejima (Turtle Island)” and “Mt. Horai“ to express islands and mountains.
Tennoryu (Dragon of the Heavens) & Chinoryu (Dragon of the Earth)
The Garden features Kureha Shidare most prominently with magnificent specimens such as Tennoryu and Chinoryu, which are estimated to be over 100 years old and considered as the most ancient type in Japan.
Garyubai
It was named “Garyubai“ because it looks like a dragon crawling on the ground.
Genkai Tsutsuji
It is one of the earliest varieties of rhododendrons and blooms at the same time as weeping plums. White and dark pink flowers make the Garden even more gorgeous.
Representative Varieties
Kureha Shidare
Typically blooming from the middle of February until early March, Kureha features medium-sized pink blossoms around 2.5 cm with multilayered petals. At full bloom the flower edges turn white.
Shirataki Shidare
This early blooming plum features a flourish of multilayered petals that can be enjoyed longer. The flowers gradually transform from a reddish color into a whitish flower as blooms progress.
Naniwa Shidare
The flowers are bright in color and stand out well. It is characterized by a slightly purplish red color. This is the last weeping plum tree that blooms in the garden.
Fujibotan Shidare
Typically blooming longer, this is a popular variety to be grown at home in containers. Fujibotan features medium-sized pink blossoms with multilayered petals. Before blooming the buds are a purplish color.
Kagoshima Beni
This flower features medium-sized deep red blossoms around 2.5cm. The petals are flat and the plentiful stamen are also the same deep red color. This is a very popular representative of the red plum.
Omoi-no-Mama
Typically blooming later, from the end of February until mid March.They bloom in an amazing variety of colors, including pink, red and white on every single tree.It is a popular variety in the garden.
Reference: Blooming season in the past
The blooming of Kureha Shidare is affected by weather and other factors. When planning your visit, please refer to the past blooming status .
Akatsuka Garden Company Group
For All Life on Earth
Akatsuka Garden Company Group has worked to create better life with flowers and greenery, to keep people healthy and to preserve the beautiful natural environment for future generations.
Other Facilities
Red Hill “The Forest of Hisa”
You can enjoy flowers and greenery throughout the four seasons. There are lots of attractions such as "Rose Garden" where roses are in full bloom in spring, "Water Lily Pond" that reminds you of the Monet's paintings and "Redwood Forest" of the garden’s symbol trees, known as the tallest tree in the world.
Akatsuka Rhododendron Garden
Rhododendrons are known as “the queen of flowers and trees" because of its gorgeous appearance with large and beautiful flowers blooming in clusters. We have raised over 3,000 trees of Rhododendrons from 200 different varieties, along with other various beautiful garden shrubs, such as azaleas and cherry trees.
Akatsuka Hydrangea Garden
About 1,000 hydrangeas from 100 varieties are planted, mainly including rare horticultural varieties. You can also see Hydrangea serrata in the adjacent Akatsuka Rhododendron Garden.
Akatsuka Blueberry Garden
You can enjoy picking and eating as much as you like the ripe and delicious blueberries grown with good water, from more than 30 varieties throughout the season.
Garden Center
Akatsuka FFC Pavilion
One of the largest general garden centers in Mie Prefecture. We have a diverse lineup of flower seedlings, flowering trees, roses and gifts such as orchids. We also hold workshops on rose growing and classes for group planting.
