Winter flowers blooming in Tokyo [Ueno Toshogu Shrine Botan Garden] Winter peony

  • Tokyo
  • Sightseeing
Winter peony
The wind is getting colder these days. The autumn leaves are almost finished and the flower season is over...but did you know that there are flowers that are at their best in the cold winter months? Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Tokyo's Ueno Park and dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa, is home to the Botan Garden. You can enjoy the view of snow-covered ground and botan while viewing authentic Edo architecture such as the shrine pavilions and five-story pagoda. The colorful winter botanes that stand out on a snowy day can only be seen at this time of year! In this issue, we would like to introduce you to winter peonies that are as beautiful as the snow.
Five-story pagoda and winter peony

Ueno Toshogu Botan Garden, where you can enjoy seasonal peonies

The Ueno Toshogu Botan Garden was opened on the grounds of Ueno Toshogu Shrine to commemorate the friendship between Japan and China. Currently, 500 peony plants of 110 varieties are planted in the circular Japanese garden in spring, and 160 plants of 40 varieties are planted in winter. The "Winter Peony Festival" is held every year from January 1 to mid-February, the "Spring Peony Festival" from mid-April to mid-May, and the "Dahlia Aya Nasu Autumn Garden" from late September to late October. You can take your time to appreciate them in the Japanese garden with an Edo-style atmosphere. Located within the grounds of Ueno Toshogu Shrine, why not visit after your visit?
Ueno Toshogu Shrine

What is "winter peony"?

Originally, peonies are at their best from April to May, but those in bloom in winter are called "winter peonies" or "cold peonies. The way to distinguish them is simple. Fuyubotan" is a peony that blooms with green leaves even in winter, while "kanbotan" has only flowers without leaves. Fuyubotan" are peonies that bloom in spring, but are made to bloom in winter by mistaking them for spring through temperature control or other means. Therefore, they are vulnerable to cold and are covered with straw fencing. They are often seen in winter. The "kanpotan" is a variety that blooms mainly in winter from the start. Because they use all of their nutrients for flowers, they have almost no leaves.

The flowers of the cold peony are greatly affected by the natural environment, and it is said that the flowering rate is low, at less than 20%. Therefore, winter botan is said to be a flower that blooms in winter, when flowers are scarce, as a good luck flower for New Year's. The Ueno Toshogu Botan Garden is a precious place where both types of flowers can be seen. Popular winter botan varieties such as "Yachiyo Camellia," "Shima Nishiki," and "Yellow Crown" bloom, while "Togawa Kan" and other varieties of cold peonies bloom.
Winter peony covered with straw

Highlights of Ueno Toshogu Botan Garden

Although located in Tokyo, this is one of the largest winter peony gardens in the Kanto area, with 160 winter peonies in 40 varieties. The rows of frost-protecting straw botanies are lovely. The Japanese garden with its dry landscape is very atmospheric, filled with peonies, a traditional Japanese flower. In addition to winter and cold peonies, depending on the season, you can see them with new spring flowers such as red plum, weeping plum, and Kawazu cherry blossoms.

For those who want to make peonies bloom at home, there is a beginner's workshop on how to make botanas bloom for the first time, a limited-time nighttime opening around the stone garden, and a photo contest when the flowers are in full bloom. Please check the official SNS below for the latest information.
Winter peony and louboutin
Instagram】Ueno Toshogu Botan Garden (official)

Enjoy winter peonies in Tokyo

In winter, it tends to be cold and people tend to stay indoors. In such cases, why don't you go and see winter peonies in full bloom, unaffected by the cold winter? You can enjoy a winter scene that you cannot see inside your house.

Overview of "Ueno Toshogu Botan" (winter peony)

Open from January 1 to late February
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closing time for admission)
Admission: Adults (junior high school students and older): 1,000 yen / Groups (15 people and older): 800 yen / Elementary school students and younger: free
For train + accommodation reservations in the Tokyo area, please refer to the JR East View Dynamic Rail Package:
Tags related to this article
Previous post Back to list Next
related articles