Every February, just as winter begins to loosen its grip on Mie Prefecture, a quiet transformation unfolds at the foot of the Suzuka Mountains. Suzuka Forest Garden is also a research and cultivation site that opens its gates for a few short weeks, revealing one of Japan’s most breathtaking seasonal spectacles: nearly 200 weeping plum trees in full, cascading bloom.
This is not your typical plum grove. This is a living gallery of century-old giants, shaped with extraordinary craftsmanship, and staged against a mountain backdrop that feels almost theatrical.
A Garden of Legends
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| A powerful tree-shaped tree that looks like a dragon ascending to the sky, called "Heavenly Dragon" |
At the heart of the garden stand two icons:
* Ten no Ryū (Heavenly Dragon), its branches rising and swirling as if caught mid-ascent
* Chi no Ryū (Earth Dragon), sprawling low and wide, powerful in its grounded presence
Both trees are over 100 years old and reach nearly seven meters in height, among the largest weeping plum specimens in Japan. Their sweeping silhouettes, heavy with blossoms, create an atmosphere that feels both ancient and ethereal.
Craftsmanship Rooted in Tradition
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| Demonstration of pruning work by craftsmen. It starts immediately after the end of flowering |
Suzuka Forest Garden isn’t just a place to admire plum blossoms. It is a working research farm dedicated to preserving the traditional Japanese art of pruning weeping plums. Every tree is shaped by skilled craftsmen who spend the year coaxing branches into elegant arcs and ensuring the blossoms cascade like silk threads.
Visitors who arrive toward the end of the season may even catch a pruning demonstration, a rare glimpse into the meticulous artistry behind these spectacular forms.
Daylight Beauty, Nighttime Magic
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| The ridgeline of the Suzuka Mountains and the sky are beautiful immediately after the illumination is turned on |
By day, the garden is a painter’s dream: soft pink blossoms set against the rugged ridgeline of the Suzuka Mountains. But as dusk settles, the atmosphere shifts.
Illuminations begin around 18:00, and the trees glow like chandeliers suspended in the night. The blossoms appear to float in the darkness, creating a dreamlike world that feels almost otherworldly.
A Photographer’s Playground
Suzuka Forest Garden has become a beloved destination for photographers, and it’s easy to see why. The garden enhances the experience with thoughtful touches:
* Mist installations that add a mystical veil
* Seasonal underplantings like Christmas roses and water lilies
* Natural puddles after rain that create perfect mirror-like reflections
The annual Instagram photo contest showcases some of the most imaginative captures—pink carpets of fallen petals, shimmering reflections, and atmospheric night shots.
How to Get There
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| A famous tree with a strong tree shape that crawls on the ground, called the "Earth Dragon." |
Suzuka Forest Garden is located away from major railway stations. If you are traveling by train, it is recommended to use a shuttle bus (operating on selected dates from JR and Kintetsu Yokkaichi Stations), a taxi, or a rental car.
If you are traveling by car, the garden is approximately a 5-minute drive from the nearest expressway interchanges.
Opening Period:
February 21 – late March (open daily)
Peak bloom typically arrives in early March.
Opening Hours:
9:00–20:30 (on illumination days)
9:00–16:00 (non-illumination days)
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing.
Admission Fee:
Adult: 2,000 per person
(Entrance fees vary from 700 to 2000 yen depending on the condition of the flowers in bloom.)
Child (7-12 years): Half price per person
Child (under 7 years): Free
Accept cash, credit cards, and QR code payments. (Ticket vending machines accept cash only)
Re-entry is basically not permitted. Re-entry with a one-day ticket
Official Website: https://www.akatsuka.gr.jp/group/suzuka/en/index.html
Location:
Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
151-2 Yamamotocho
Parking available for ~200 cars (free)
Reminders to all visitors
* Temporary restrooms are available both inside and outside the garden.
* Free wheelchairs are available for loan
* Food, drink, plants, and pets are not allowed to be brought into the garden. You can purchase some food in the garden.
* Please refrain from collecting vegetation in the garden.
* No smoking allowed outside of the designated smoking area.
* Camera tripods may not be allowed in some locations in the garden or on certain dates or times.
* An in-advance application is needed for taking photos or videos within the garden for business or money-making purposes.
* Bicycles, skateboards, kickboards, etc., are not allowed in the garden.
* Flying a drone is not allowed over the garden and the parking area.
* There are no lockers inside or outside the garden.
* If you are not feeling well (coughing or having a fever), please refrain from entering the garden.
* To reduce congestion in the garden, they may limit the number of visitors.
Suzuka Forest Garden is open to the public for only a few weeks each year, making its appearance feel like a whispered secret shared among those who seek out Japan’s quieter, more contemplative seasonal treasures. Whether you come for the artistry, the photography, or simply the joy of standing beneath a canopy of cascading blossoms, this garden offers a moment of spring that lingers long after the petals fall.
Source: prtimes.jp
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