Shibazakura Festival in Mount Fuji - Spring Festival in Japan
June 11, 2016
What do you guys think of Spring in Japan?
Must be the normal sakura (cherry blossom) that's pinkish white all over tree branches in Japan
However I am here to let you know that spring in Japan isnt limited to Sakura!!
Sakura is high season and the ticket is mostly super expensive, the time is within last week of March to first week of April. And you've to spare at least 1 week in Japan to take a glimpse of that rare flowers
But if you cant come during that time, and able to visit from late of April to early May, you might want to visit Mount Fuji and see another type of sakura named, Shibazakura. It's bloomed from ground instead of tree, and the color is bright pink instead of white pinkish!
(lemme admit something, the mount fuji is photoshopped because when I took the pic, the fuji was shy to be photographed lol)
It's around 3 hours drive from Tokyo center or around 2 hours by using bus from Shinjuku. You can access Shibazakura's website and how to go there on the page. I recommend bus because it's easier
I was there with my friend, Missa, and she was driving there for me. But it's a long hour drive and the highway is pretty complicated from Tokyo, not to mention sometimes we got lost lol
I didnt know that driving in Japan was that difficult. I forgot how often I drive in Jakarta and I always drive.. Japan's public transportation is very reliable, cheaper, faster, and better than personal car!
Close up look of Shibazakura!!
There are so many tourists, and I spotted a group of Indonesian tourists talking in Bahasa. This place is getting more famous!!
My Casual style on the day
Beanie, White sweatshirt and black jumpsuit from Cloth Inc, watches from La Mer, and Bag from Philip Lim
The best thing about it, there's also Spring Festival Food in the area, and popular food from Kawaguchiko area + limited Fujiyama foods are available over there. Worry not to think about what to eat because there are endless unique foods that you cant find in Tokyo!!
Including this limited edition Fujiyama Sweets!
I bought the pudding of no 10 for my family!! The pudding was so good and has edible flowers inside
Missa told me that this was very rare to find, a trout that's caught nearby the mountain and then grilled in traditional way. VERY VERY TASTY and so fresh!!!!
I cant experience this in Tokyo!!! :O
Some of the menus from one stall
We tried the Fujisan Udon and Yoshida Udon (SOOO GOOOD)
Yoshida Udon is so famous, so really gotta try!
I wanted to try houtou but we thought to get houtou for dinner instead (which I regretted now as we had dinner somewhere in Nakameguro-Tokyo instead, but I dont complain because our dinner was fantastic)
We also tried yakisoba!
For my preference, I dont know why but oily fry food such as this, Indonesia wins through their mie goreng. Indonesia's gorengan (fried food) are the bomb.. I never think Japanese fried rice can beat indonesia fried rice either haha
However the udon has a a big gap compared to any udon I have ever tasted! The udon is hard and big, and by no means it's bad. In fact, the chewiness is different than most of udons available and though I was so full with all the foods, I gobbled it down T________T
I also tried Sakura Ice Cream!!!
Now you guys can envy me, because I envy myself on that day as well. I want to come back for sure!!
There are so many omiyages and limited edition foods available for purchase on the outside gate! I shopped so much even though I knew that I'd be the only one to eat it lol
And that's all for Shibazakura!
I come around 2nd week of May and in fact some of the flowers have fallen down, so there's only one or two spots that's still photogenic. My friend, Amanda came to Shibazakura around 2 weeks before me. So I really recommend you to come during the first week of opening to increase your chance of seeing it at its peak!
Anggy was in Tokyo 2 weeks after me and I confirmed to her that it would be such a waste to visit Shibazakura at the end of May because I'm sure it's all gone by the time she reached the mountain :(
Hopefully this gives you enough idea when to visit!!
I showed the picture to Julian and she made me promise to come there again with her next year to catch the full bloom. That'll be such a dream come true again
Hopefully I can fulfil it one day!
See you very soon, Shibazakura <3
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