10 Beautiful Spots to See Spider Lilies (Higanbana) near Tokyo
From Japan’s biggest Higanbana field to hidden gems: the best places to see Higanbana
Everyone knows about Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, and many are also familiar with momiji or autumn leaves. But what you may not know so much is that in Japan, different types of flowers are enjoyed almost all year round. Wisterias in March, azaleas in April-May, hydrangeas in June-July, and right at the end of summer and the beginning of fall, before the start of the autumn leaves, we have the higanbana or red spider lilies.
Right at the end of summer and the beginning of fall, before the autumn leaves start, we have the higanbana or red spider lilies. Those of you who like manga and anime may be familiar with these flowers. They appear in Jigoku no Shojo, Inuyasha or in the recent Demon Slayer, playing a key role in the plot later on.
Although beautiful, these flowers symbolize death in Japan, and although their official name is manjushage, they are also known as “hell flowers” or even “ghost flowers”. But today most people know them better by the name higanbana, which means autumn equinox flower.
About the Spider Lilies
In Japanese Buddhist mythology the world of the living and the dead is divided by the Sanzu River. The world on the other side of the Sanzu River (the side of the dead) is said to be the Higan (彼岸), a Buddhist term that is written with the same kanji as Higanbana (彼岸花). The world on this side of the River, the world of the living, is called Shigan.
In Buddhism, it’s believed that the two worlds become more united on specific dates in spring and autumn (coinciding with the summer and autumn equinoxes). It is also said that red spider lily flowers bloom on the banks of the Sanzu River.
But there may be a more practical explanation as to why these flowers are associated with death. It is true that they are often found on graves, but also on the banks of rivers or in fields where they are used to protect the crop from small animals such as rodents. And the fact is that the bulbs of the red spider lilies contain poison.
In ancient times, the bodies of the deceased were often buried in the ground. So there is also a theory that these flowers were planted for the same reason as for crops, to protect the bodies of animals.
1. Kinchakuda Higanbana Fields
The number one in the list and the most popular spot for Red Spider Lilies is the Kinchakuda Manjushage Park (巾着田曼珠沙華公園), located in Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture. Is Japan’s biggest Higanbana field, with over 500 millions of beautiful Higanbana flowers in the peak season.
The Kinchakuda Manjushage Festival (巾着田曼珠沙華まつり) is held from mid to late September annually.
For more info: Kinchakuda Higanbana Fields: Enjoy Fiery Red Flowers near Tokyo!
2. Fuchu City Kyodo no Mori Museum
If you prefer a place within Tokyo, the Fuchu City Folk Forest Museum (府中市郷土の森博物館) have 350,000 red spider lilies that visitors can enjoy during September. The Fuchu City Folk Forest is an indoor and outdoor museum that represents the nature of Fuchu.
In the past, rice paddies spread near the Tama River, and many red spider lilies bloomed along the banks and irrigation ditches. The museum staff started planting them more than 10 years ago.
3. Nogawa Park
Still in Tokyo, we have the Nogawa Park (野川公園), a metropolitan park located in Chofu City. The vast park offers different facilities, such as a barbecue area. On the north side of the park there’s the Nature Observation Garden, where visitors can enjoy red and white spider lilies.
Chofu and Fuchu are close to each other, so in one morning you can go to both places if one spot is not enough for you and you want more flowers pictures!
4. Showa Memorial Park
When it comes to enjoying flowers in Tokyo, one of the best places to go is always without a doubt is the Showa Memorial Park (昭和記念公園), a national park located in Tachikawa City.
The park was opened in 1983 to commemorate the emperor’s Golden Jubilee, and there is a small museum dedicated to the Showa emperor. Loved by many as an urban oasis, Showa Memorial Park is famous at all times of the year, in spring for the cherry blossoms and tulips, in autumn for the momiji (autumn leaves). In September, the park turns red with 20,000 red spider lilies.
More info: Showa Memorial Park : Best Flower Park in Tokyo
5. Mizumoto Park
Another popular park in Tokyo for flower viewing is Mizumoto Park (水元公園), in Katsushika ward. There’s a place inside the park called Higanbana Hill, where visitors can enjoy beautiful Spider Lilies.
Mizumoto Park it’s the biggest park within the 23 special wards of Tokyo and unlike the Showa Memorial Park, doesn’t have any entrance fee.
