Flower Viewing Calendar
Flowers adorn the seasons and convey to us the brilliance of life. There are plenty of locations in Sakai where visitors can enjoy the cherries of spring, the city's official flowering shrub
(the azalea), and the city's official flower
(the Japanese water iris).
February
Ume grove in Kozen Park
(TEL: 072-291-1800, Izumigaoka Park Office)
Visitors can enjoy about 1,400 ume trees representing 47 species.
- Peak viewing time: Mid February
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Miyayamadai-2cho stop.
April
"Sakura" garden in Daisen Park
(TEL: 072-241-0291, Daisen Park Office)
About 400 cherry trees are planted so as to surround a pond in the center of the park.
- Peak viewing time: Early April
- Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Mozu Station.
Cherry Festival at Chozenji Temple
(TEL: 072-232-2671)
Surrounded by some 30 cherry trees, each over 30 years old, festival attendees make good-luck mochi and enjoy many other activities.
- Peak viewing time: Early April
- Take the Nankai-Koya Line and get off at Sakai-Higashi Station.
Cherry garden at Sakai City Park Cemetery
(TEL: 072-292-7455, Cemetery Management Office)
About 3,000 cherry trees are planted throughout the cemetery.
- Peak viewing time: Early April
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Hachigamine stop.
Cherry trees at Nishihara Park
(TEL: 072-291-1800, Izumigaoka Park Office)
This famous cherry viewing spot comes alive with hanami
(“flower-viewing”) visitors in the spring.
- Peak viewing time: Early April
- Take the Semboku-kosoku Line and get off at Toga-Mikita Station.
Cherry trees at Kozen Park
(TEL: 072-291-1800, Izumigaoka Park Office)
In addition to flowering ume trees in February,the area surrounding the park is noteworthy for its beautiful cherry trees.
- Peak viewing time: Early April
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Miyayamadai-2cho stop.
May
Azalea viewing at Asakayama Water Purification Plant
(TEL: 072-250-9108)
About 2,300 red, pink, and white hirado azaleas cover the Asakayama Water Purification Plant’s embankments in a stunning display of spring.
(Grounds open to the public in late April.)
- Peak viewing time: Late April to Early May
- Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Asaka Station.
Azaleas at Hounji Temple
(TEL: 072-361-4419)
About 1,000 red, white, and pink hirado azaleas adorn the temple’s 3,333 square meter grounds. At the height of flower viewing season, over 1,000 people visit the temple every day.
- Peak viewing time: Late April to Early May
- Take the Kintetsu bus and get off at the Imai stop.
Azaleas at Funatoike Park
(TEL: 072-361-1881, Mihara Park Office)
The park is planted with about 7,000 flowering trees and shrubs, including Japanese cinnamon trees and azalea bushes.
- Peak viewing time: April to May
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Funatoshita stop.
Azaleas at Mizugaike
Colorful azaleas are planted near the pond’s banks.
- Peak viewing time: Late April to Early May
- Take the Semboku-kosoku Line and get off at Fukai Station.
Iris garden at Oizumi Ryokuchi Park
(TEL: 072-259-0316)
This expansive forest park is famous for its beautiful iris garden.
- Peak viewing time: Early to Mid May
- Take the subway Midosuji Line and get off at Shinkanaoka Station.
Roses at Hamadera Park
(TEL: 072-261-0936)
The garden greets visitors with the colorful splendor and noble fragrance of its 6,500 plants representing about 250 species, including both indigenous wild and modern rose species.
- Peak viewing time: Mid May to Early June; Early October to Early November
- Take the Hankai Line and get off at the Hamaderaekimae stop,
or take the Nankai Line and get off at Hamaderakoen Station.
Roses at Shinonome Park
(TEL: 072-232-1489, Ohama Park Office)
Modeled on a European promenade, the park is planted with 1,300 rosebushes representing 60 species.
- Peak viewing time: May, Mid to Late October
- Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Sakai-shi Station.
June
Hydrangea at Sambo sewage treatment Plant
(TEL: 072-232-4958)
About 1,000 hydrangea plants bloom all at once each spring.
(Grounds open to the public at Late May.)
- Peak viewing time: Late May to Early June
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Matsuyayamatogawadori stop.
Irises at Otori Shrine
(TEL: 072-262-0040)
Visitors can enjoy 100,000 iris plants representing about 50 species, as well as flower and tea offerings. The Ayame (“iris”) Festival is held in Mid June.
- Peak viewing time: Early to Mid June
- Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Otori Station.
Irises at the Japanese Garden
(TEL: 072-247-3670)
Irises bloom in elegance along the shores of Kakitsubataike Pond.
- Peak viewing time: Early June
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Daisencho stop.
Irises at Funatoike Park
(TEL: 072-361-1881, Mihara Park Office)
Irises are planted near Funatoike Pond.
- Peak viewing time: Early June
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Funatoshita stop.
Irises at Shirasagi Park
(TEL: 072-252-3168, Kanaoka Park Office)
Visitors can enjoy 10,000 irises representing about 200 species.
- Peak viewing time: Late May to Early June
- Take the Nankai-Koya Line and get off at Shirasagi Station.
September
Cosmos at Harvest Hill(Sakai Green Museum)
(TEL: 072-296-9911)
About 500,000 cosmos plants flower on Harvest Hill. Across the suspension bridge is the village’s flower garden, about 4,000 square meters of lovely pink,red,and white flowers.
- Peak viewing time: Late September to Mid October
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Harvest-no-oka stop.
Cosmos at Nagamine Hanatsumi Park
(TEL: 072-296-1400)
Visitors can pick their own cosmos and take them home
(for a fee).
- Peak viewing time: Mid October to Early November
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Izumitanaka stop.
Cosmos Center
(TEL: 072-290-0505)
The Center grows Cosmos for use as cut flowers
(available for a fee).
- Peak viewing time: Mid to Late October
- Take the Nankai bus and get off at the Kosumosukanmae stop.
*Peak viewing times are approximate.