Shibazakura 2009

Shibazakura

Shibazakura is a hill near Hitsujiyama Park in the west Saitama area in the city of Chichibu. I was truly stunned with how they have carefully and artistically designed each moss phlox plants in a manner which is very pleasant to your eyes when it’s in full bloom. Different colors of pink, lavender, white, and violet amazes you upon seeing it. This wide-open park in Chichibu has been frequently visited by moss phlox enthusiasts both local and foreign tourists within the Kanto Region and surrounding areas. Upon entering the area, we were stunned with how the flowers were lined up to form specific patterns. Most of the flowers within the field are in their fullest bloom and some were just about to do so. The pack of overcrowded people filled the air with too much enthusiasm and loads of “hai, chiizu,” sound. As folks, both old and young, strut their walk in the fields, countless words of “sugoi” can be heard. Also, there are several people to tag their dogs with them. Dogs even acted as models as people take picture with their pose where the pink colored moss phlox field is in the background. This year, I was not able to see the food stalls who sell grilled shitake mushrooms and saury, beer and chilled cucumbers. Almost all people made the nearby vacant fields as picnic grounds and had their noon and afternoon naps after munching their brought lunch packs over some cans of beer. Kids run around while several photography enthusiasts like me, took countless pictures of the flowers and fields in all angles. Comfort rooms are provided within the area but it takes several minutes of walk to reach the portable toilets on top of the hill. Souvenir shops are concentrated within one area just next to the park where loads of Chichibu products are sold. Next to it is a pen which houses around a dozen of sheep peacefully devouring dried grass in the area.Sakura season is over and the reign of the moss phlox flowers is at its peak. Getting there is a tiresome two (2) hour ride via the Chichibu Tetsudou Line from Hanyu City in Saitama. From Hanyu City, Chichibu Railways offer a discounted special ticket of 1,400 yen per day which includes unlimited rides in all stations until Mitsumineguchi. Rates differ if you come from Gyoda, Kumagaya or Yorii Stations. Shibazakura can be also accessed using the Seibu-Chichibu Line from Ikebukuro and get off at Ohanabatake, which is the last station. From Ohanatabatake, a short 15-20 minute trek up to the Shibazakura hill awaits visitors. A meager amount of 300 yen is needed to get in the premises of the park.