At Musashi Kyūryō National Government Park in Saitama, two spectacular flower fields are currently in full bloom. The "Sports Field Flower Garden" features approximately 700,000 Iceland poppies, while the "West Gate Plaza Flower Garden" is home to around 530,000 nemophila plants. Both are expected to remain at their peak through late April, with blooms anticipated to last into early May.
Against a backdrop of fresh green foliage and clear spring skies, the vivid vitamin colors of the Iceland poppies and the translucent sky-blue of the nemophila paint a beautiful spring landscape — shimmering in the spring sunshine and swaying gently in the breeze.
Peak bloom timing may vary depending on weather conditions.
Iceland Poppies: Vibrant Vitamin Colors
Iceland poppies belong to the Papaver genus of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and are native to Siberia. Treated as annuals in Japan's hot and humid climate, they grow to about 30 to 50 cm in height, with a single unbranched stem producing just one flower per plant. The buds start out hanging downward but turn upward as the flower opens, revealing thin, Japanese-paper-like petals 6 to 10 cm in diameter in cheerful shades of orange, yellow, white, and pink.
Iceland Poppies – Details
- Peak Bloom: Around April 7 to late April
- Number of Plants: Approx. 700,000
- Location: Sports Field Flower Garden (approx. 20 min from South Gate / Central Gate)
- Planted Area: Approx. 8,000 m²
- Planting Method: Seedlings (November)
Nemophila: Delicate Sky-Blue Flowers
Nemophila belongs to the Nemophila genus of the Boraginaceae family and is native to North America. Growing to about 10 to 20 cm in height, each plant produces small blue flowers about 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The Japanese name "Rurikarakusa" (瑠璃唐草) comes from the lapis-lazuli blue of the blooms and the arabesque-like shape of the leaves. The English name "Baby blue eyes" reflects the flower's white center and small, charming blue petals — reminiscent of the pure, beautiful blue eyes of a baby.
Nemophila – Details
- Peak Bloom: Around April 14 to late April
- Variety: 1 variety (Insignis Blue)
- Number of Plants: Approx. 530,000
- Location: West Gate Plaza Flower Garden (approx. 5 min from West Gate)
- Planted Area: Approx. 4,500 m²
- Planting Method: Seeding (November 26 to December 5)
Lupine Has Also Started Blooming
In the "Park / Garden Tree Garden," about a 15-minute walk from the Central Gate, approximately 100,000 lupine plants have started to bloom. Peak bloom is expected around late April.
Lupine belongs to the Lupinus genus of the legume family (Fabaceae) and is native to North America. Plants grow to about 30 to 40 cm in height, with small butterfly-shaped flowers clustering together in tower-like formations. Lit by sunlight filtering through tall trees overhead, the scene takes on an enchanting, fairy-tale quality.
Visitor Information
Address: 1920 Yamada, Namegawa, Hiki-gun, Saitama 355-0802
Opening Hours:
- March 1 – October 31: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- November 1 – November 30: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- December 1 – last day of February: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Access:
- From Tobu Tojo Line "Shinrin Koen" Station (North Exit bus stop): Board the "Shinrin Koen Minamiguchi-yuki" bus (weekends and public holidays only) and alight at the last stop, or alight at "Shinrin Koen Nishiguchi" / "Namegawa Junior High School" (approx. 5 min walk).
- From JR Takasaki Line "Kumagaya" Station (South Exit bus stop): Board the "Shinrin Koen-yuki" bus and alight at "Shinrin Koen Nishiguchi" or "Shinrin Koen Minamiguchi Iriguchi."
Official Website: https://www.shinrinkoen.jp/
