Plants and Flowers in Tokyo & Japanese Culture by Kei Narujima　東京の草花＆つぶやき

White Magnolia (Yulan Magnolia)　ハクモクレン（白木蓮）

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Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) is native to central and eastern China but now can be found across Japan and in many places in Tokyo. The tree flowers from February to April, the earliest among magnolias growing in Japan. The flower's pure white creates a brilliant contrast against the blue sky.

2026/3/2

2024/3/12

2022/3/17

Taiwan Cherry Blossoms (Prunus Campanulata)　カンヒザクラ（寒緋桜）

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Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata) is native to Japan, Taiwan, southern and eastern China, and Vietnam, blooming from January (in Okinawa; the southernmost and westernmost prefecture) to March (the mainland) in Japan. The blossoms are pink but much deeper than other cherry blossoms and are bell shaped, which is also different from others.

Cherry blossoms usually mean Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms (Prunus x yedoensis) in mainland Japan but Taiwan cherry in Okinawa. Somei Yoshino and Taiwan cherry blossoms are quite different but both are beautiful respectively.

2024/3/3

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)　ムスカリ（葡萄風信子）

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Grape hyacinth (Muscari) is native to Eurasia but can be found across Japan, producing flowers from March to April in the country. Grape hyacinth is known to have blue purple flowers but some produce white or pink flowers.

According to "A to Z Flowers," Muscari or grape hyacinth is a symbol of "power," "confidence," "mystery" and "creativity." In the Japanese language of flowers, however, the plant means "disappointment."

2026/3/1

Japanese Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis Japonica)　マンサク（満作）

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Japanese witch-hazel (Hamamelis japonica) is native to Japan and can be found across the country. The plant produces string shaped flowers with yellow petals and red sepals from February to March. The Japanese witch-hazel signifies the return of happiness in Japan.

2026/3/1

2026/2/23

Kawazu Cherry (Cerasus x Kanzakura 'Kawazu-Zakura')　カワヅサクラ（河津桜）

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Kawazu cherry is a crossbreed of Oshima cherry (Prunus speciosa) and Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata) and named in 1972 after the Kawazu town, Shizuoka prefecture (Source: Kawazu town tourist association). Kawazu cherry trees bloom from early February to March, a little earlier than other cherry trees. A Kawazu cherry blossoms festival is held in the town every February.

Below is a list I've enjoyed viewing for the last couple of years. Hope you'll enjoy them, too!

2026/2/28

Lenten Rose (Helleborus Orientalis)　クリスマスローズ（寒芍薬）

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Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is native to Greece and Turkey but can be found across Japan now, known as "Christmas rose."

The plant tag nearby also says "クリスマスローズ (Christmas rose)" and this is understandable because in Japan, the Lent period is almost unknown. You would find it strange to see "Christmas roses" for the Lent period but there is a saying that "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." So, when in Japan, please do call the Lenten rose "Christmas rose"!

2026/2/27

Weeping Plum Blossoms　しだれ梅

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You can find many Chinese plum trees in Tokyo but not so many when it comes to weeping ones. Usual plum blossoms are beautiful but weeping plum blossoms are more gorgeous and spectacular when in full bloom!

Plants make people more talkative. A Hamilton's spindletre tree did so and plum trees did so, too. And thanks to that, I learned about the only weeping Japanese plum tree in my neighborhood (as far as I know) and was able to take these pictures.

The last three photos were taken three years ago in Ueno, Tokyo on a late afternoon when the Moon started rising in the sky.

2025/2/22

2026/2/8

2026/2/12

Golden Mimosa (Acacia Baileyana)　ギンヨウアカシア（銀葉金合歓）

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Golden mimosa (Acacia baileyana) is native to Australia but can be found across Japan. The trees produce beautiful golden flowers from January to March and show beautiful red leaves in autumn.

2026/2/24

Japanese Cornel (Cornus Officinalis)　サンシュユ（山茱萸）

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The Japanese cornel (Cornus officinalis) is native to China, Korea, and Japan and can be found across Japan. The tree produces umbels of bright yellow flowers from March to April and berries that get redder from October to November.

The bright yellow of Japanese cornel flowers is called a "vitamin color" in Japan because it's said to energize people, which I believe is true. In spring, many stop in front of the trees to look at their pretty flowers talking about the joy of spring but surprisingly and sadly, most don't know the Japanese cornel. The Japanese cornel is one of the most underestimated trees because of their blossoming at almost the same time as cherry and Japanese apricot trees.

2025/3/20

2025/3/9

Pink Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Debilis)　ムラサキカタバミ（紫酢漿草）

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These are pink woodsorrel (Oxalis debilis) growing near small skullcaps. There are two types of pink (wood)sorrel, Oxalis debilis and Oxalis articulata. Both are pink but Oxalis debilis (pink sorrel in this post) is a little bluish and paler than the other. Despite such a color difference, however, these two are often confused with each other in Japan.

2026/2/23

2025/4/5

薄ピンクのツバキ

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I've seen Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) blooms many times but it's my first time to see such beautiful pale pink blooms with no spots. While I was photographing them, a horsefly came, starting to have breakfast (2nd and 3rd photos).

2026/2/23