As seasons change, so do the flowers at this little botanical garden outside of Tokyo, so what does summer look like…?

Spring Is Long Over,

What Changes Does Summer Bring to Hana-Biyori?

Earlier this year, the Japankuru team headed over to Hana-Biyori, the brand new botanical garden built at Yomiuriland amusement park. Just a little ways out of Tokyo, Yomiuriland was already a popular spot to view springtime cherry blossoms, which made the new Hana-Biyori a no-brainer for March and April. But most summer visitors have beelined to the Yomiuriland rollercoasters or their Pool Wai waterpark―we had no idea what to expect from this new warm-weather attraction.

Without the pastel pink cherry blossoms, what would Hana-Biyori look like? What bright new blossoms had sprung to life under the summer sun? Grab an icy-cold coffee or tea from Japan's only botanical garden Starbucks, and explore the summer sights of Hana-Biyori with us!

Summer Sight ① Floral Wind Chimes

Imagine a calm summer evening in Japan: sitting on a wooden porch along the side of a traditional Japanese house, a calm breeze cutting through the humid air, and the sound of wind chimes overhead. Wind chimes, called furin (風鈴) in Japanese, are a symbol of summer. The wind chime festival at Kawagoe's Hikawa Shrine even draws people from all over the world, to take pictures and listen to the chimes ringing in the wind. To celebrate summer, Hana-Biyori has set up their own little piece of wind chime paradise, dozens of chimes that visitors can walk under. The tinkling sound of the glass windchimes makes even the slightest breeze feel cool in the summer air.

Summer Sight ② A Handwashing Fountain Strewn with Flowers

Found at most Japanese temples or shrines, the chozuya/temizuya (手水舎) is a fountain used to wash and "purify" the hands and mouth. Hana-Biyori is actually host to a culturally important Buddhist temple, so the beautiful fountain is no surprise, but summertime guests have been pleasantly surprised by its sunflower makeover. With sunflowers as a sign of late summer in Japan, they bring plenty of cheer to the otherwise laid-back temple area atmosphere.

Summer Sights ③ A Luscious Field of Lavender

One of the most striking scenes at Hana-Biyori during the spring was the almost neon rainbow of snapdragons, a riot of color when viewed out the window from the seats of Starbucks. In the summer, this same field mellows a little, with a swath of romantic purple lavender in among the bright green leaves. Every year people travel all the way to Furano, in Hokkaido, to see the beautiful lavender―but this little dose of fragrant flowers at Hana-Biyori is perfect for anybody staying in Tokyo.

Spring or Summer, Green Leaves and Colorful Petals Are Everywhere

We may have picked out a few favorite spots in the outdoor areas of Hana-Biyori, but their green-house style building is still full of flowers in the summer, too. Take a seat at the Starbucks, spend a moment with the adorable little Asian small-clawed otters, or time your visit to coincide with their regular projection mapping digital shows, to make the most of the inside space.

If you want some more hands-on entertainment (or just want to bring a little of the peaceful park home with you), Hana-Biyori also offers activities and workshops in the building. Depending on the time and date, you might be able to make and take home your own little flower arrangement, or moss terrarium.

A Warm Atmosphere for Sunny Summer Days

Perfect for a lazy summer day out in the sun, the relaxed ambience with pops of colorful flowers makes visiting Hana-Biyori in the summer a little different from exploring the same spots in the spring. While April's cherry blossoms are undoubtedly impressive, we'd definitely recommend heading over throughout the months, to see the changes brought with each season.

Check out the links below the pictures for in-depth blog posts about Hana-Biyori in Traditional Chinese, or for more updates and info from Japan, follow Japankuru on twitter, instagram, and facebook!

Hana-Biyori
4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 (Hours subject to change, check here for details and closure dates.)
Access: Free Shuttle Bus from Keio Yomiuri-land Station
Admission: Adults 1,200 yen / Children 600 yen
(Discounted Hana-Biyori tickets available with the purchase of a Yomiuriland Amusement Park ticket.)
Official Website (en)