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Speckled through the shadows of hill tops, buildings and cars, twinkles of blue, red and yellow lights beckon us to explore one of the top three biggest light up events in Japan. Called the ‘Flower Fantasy – The Garden of Illuminated Flowers’, it’s situated in Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi.
Christmas can prove challenging to those of us who are away from our families, maybe more so this year, now that life has been altered by Covid-19.
Feeling particularly homesick and low from experiencing a non-summer Xmas (Southern Hemisphere Santa sun fun), I joined a day trip with ‘Tokyo Gaijins’ tour company to explore nature in Gunma and Christmas illuminations in Tochigi.
COVID-19 Precaution
On a personal note, I still feel apprehensive and confused about the mixed messaging of ‘Go-To Travel’. On this particular tour, participants’ temperatures were taken before boarding the bus and hand sanitizer was freely provided for use. Thankfully all travel companions were just as wary of the situation and talking on the bus was kept to a minimum.
*Please be sure to check updated information regarding changes due to COVID-19 on the official Ashikaga Flower Park website before you visit.
Going to Ashikaga Flower Park
After a wonderful yet exhausting hike up Mt. Myoji—side note, I must improve my fitness in 2021—the sun began to set in the early afternoon and we made our way to Tochigi and Ashikaga Flower Park.
The park is famous for its wisteria which blossoms in pink, purple, white and yellow from mid-April to mid-May every year. ‘Flower Fantasy – The Garden of Illuminated Flowers’ highlights the famous drawcard at Ashikaga Flower Park in illuminated form.
The Experience
Exiting off the bus, the cold air hits with intensity. Jackets, jumpers, gloves, scarves, hats and all things HEATTECH are strongly recommended. Even if the day is warm, the temperatures in Tochigi drop considerably at night and you really don’t want to experience a frozen fantasy outside of Tokyo Disneyland.
There are 21 separate illuminated displays dotted around the garden course. The first illuminations are #3 Rainbow Magic, #4 Flower Field In The Sky – The Milky Way and #6 Snow World, all of which blend seamlessly into one linear display, projecting over the park course from the surrounding hills above. These displays constantly change colors, both influenced and enhanced by the atmospheric music. If you’re lucky, you may even glimpse Santa flying overhead.
Illumination #7 Flower Castle is for the romantics. You can climb the steps of the display and have your date captured on film while a bed of changing tulip lights beam in the garden below and illuminated fireworks explode around you.
Children will enjoy #8 Japan’s Four Seasons – Hometown of the Heart. This charming display illuminates the seasons with appearances from cute animal characters.
Personally, my favourite was #10 Light Pyramid. Vividly coloured pyramids reflect onto the lake below to create artful diamonds worthy of an Instagram boast.
As previously mentioned, this illumination doesn’t neglect its main drawcard—the wisteria. Visitors can stroll under hanging lights which represent the wisteria in all its colourful glory.
Extra Information
For those wanting to buy souvenirs, there are three shops within the garden complex. Limited goods can be purchased at Original Shop 2. This quaint store sells glassware, Christmas trinkets, the famous Wisteria Bear, wisteria cosmetics and the light up lollipops you will inevitably see being consumed by the crowds.
Specialty illumination themed boxes of biscuits as well as famous Tochigi food items are sold at the entrance/exit gift shop.
Food is available for purchase at restaurants and food stands which surround the perimeter of the course. Fare ranges from Italian pizza, pasta and steak at Wisteria Restaurant, to traditional Japanese cuisine at Ajisai Restaurant. If you only want a warming snack, you can find festival food such as takoyaki, gyoza and sausages at the Food Terrace. I can’t comment on the food myself, but others highly recommended the beef stew.
Toilets with wheelchair accessibility are placed throughout the park as well as a baby bed building. Smoking in the park is prohibited, however, there is a designated smoking area near the entrance. Pets are not allowed; neither are drones. Visitors are asked to refrain from wearing wedding attire or cosplay.
Overall Experience
Overall Ashikaga Flower Park – Flower Fantasy – The Garden of Illuminated Flowers definitely lived up to the hype and deserves its recognition as being one of the top three illumination sites in Japan. It’s a wonderful date spot for the young romantics or the young at heart. There is enough variety in the displays to entertain children as well as photographers – professional or Instagram newbies like myself.
Details
Venue
607 Hasama Town, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, 329-4216 Japan
Access to Ashikaga Flower Park
Although I went by tour bus, the new Ashikaga Flower Park Station on the JR Ryomo Line was built directly in front of the park in 2018. This has allowed for those without private transportation to gain access to the park more easily. Be warned, it will still take just over 2 hours from Tokyo to arrive and you must have adequate funds on your IC card.
Time
Ashikaga Flower Park – Flower Fantasy – The Garden of Illuminated Flowers runs from October 17, 2020 until February 7, 2021 (closed on December 31st).
Lighting time is from 16:30 – 20:30 (until 21:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Ticket Price
| Adult | ¥1,000 |
| Child | ¥500 |
Ashikaga Flower Park Website
https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/english/index.html
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