The moss phlox, a lovely flower that heralds the late spring in the Okhotsk region, blooms across approximately 10 hectares of mountains in Takinoue Town every spring. The moss phlox, dyed a dazzling pink that can be seen from afar, is a treasure filled with the love of the people of Takinoue Town.

We'll introduce you to the many charms of the Shibazakura Festival, which can be enjoyed from various angles, as well as must-try recommended dishes! We'll showcase the many delights of the Shibazakura Festival that will impress all your senses!

Table of contents
1. The moss phlox of Takinoue began with just one box.
2. We arrived at Shibazakura Takigami Park! We drove up the mountainside... and suddenly a pink slope spread out before our eyes!
3. The Shibazakura Festival is a month-long event. Aim for a sunny day!
4. It's barrier-free, making it easy to visit! A park that's friendly to the elderly and people with disabilities.
5. Try to find it! If you find a lucky moss phlox, you're in luck!
6. The moss phlox soft serve ice cream is a must-try! It has a delicate aroma of moss phlox and a refined taste.
7. The affordable fares are a major draw! If you want a panoramic view, a helicopter is highly recommended.
8. The Shibazakura Festival is a beautiful event where even the breeze blowing through is wonderful.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the continuous planting of moss phlox at Shibazakura Takinoue Park.

The moss phlox patch, which now covers approximately 10 hectares, originated from a single moss phlox plant that was growing in the temple grounds and was received from someone in a single orange crate.

Over the next half-century, the trees were steadily planted, and now they are considered a springtime tradition in Takinoue Town.

In recognition of their achievements, they received the "Grand Prize for Creating Flower-Filled Tourist Destinations" in 18.

As you drive through the entrance arch, you'll see a small sign that says, "Please proceed straight ahead if you are driving."

If you continue straight ahead, you'll suddenly come across a dazzling carpet of pink moss phlox. If you keep going uphill, you'll arrive at the parking lot. During the festival, the system is that you pay the entrance fee while still in your car before going to the parking lot.

As you wait, guided to your seat, a staff member wearing a bright pink polo shirt featuring moss phlox will issue you a ticket in exchange for your admission fee.
There will be staff members to guide you, so park your car in an available spot.

The Shibazakura Festival is an event that can be enjoyed for about a month, from early May to early June.
It's best to aim for a clear, sunny day rather than a cold or cloudy one.

This is because Shibazakura Takigami Park is shaped like a park that covers the entire side of a mountain.
Therefore, on a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of moss phlox below and the mountains of the Daisetsuzan mountain range in the distance!

The scenery was so beautiful that I couldn't stop taking pictures.
If you can come on a day when you can enjoy both the clear blue sky and the vibrant pink of the moss phlox at the same time, the festival will be twice as enjoyable!

Shibazakura Takigami Park had another secret to its popularity.
That means "accessibility improvements are progressing."

The park has ramps in various locations that are easily accessible for wheelchair users.

While some areas with steep inclines are unpaved or have stairs to avoid danger, many sections are well-maintained and easy to climb, making it enjoyable for wheelchair users as well.
It's great that people with disabilities can also enjoy it!

I noticed something interesting at the Takigami Tourist Association information center next to the rest house...

Wow! It seems that some of these moss phlox flowers have a lot of petals. I immediately started looking for them myself!
I searched quite a bit, but unfortunately, I couldn't find it.

However, as you walk around the park, you'll occasionally hear people saying things like, "I just found a moss phlox with X number of petals!"
It can be fun to try searching for them with friends as a test of luck!

Ringing the "Bell of Happiness" at the top of the mountain might bring you happiness if you don't feel embarrassed.

A shop near the parking lot sells their specialty, "Shibazakura Soft Serve Ice Cream."
The adorable pink soft-serve ice cream is exciting just to look at. I immediately bought one and took a bite, and the gentle aroma of moss phlox spread in my mouth.
It's not too sweet, and you can easily eat it all in one go.

The shop also offers other flavors besides the moss phlox soft serve ice cream, such as mixed flavors, so it's fun to try different ones and compare them.

While viewing moss phlox from the ground is lovely, if you want to appreciate it from a different perspective, a helicopter tour is highly recommended!

The aerial tour around Shibazakura Takigami Park offers a leisurely view of the park, which would be quite a challenge to explore on foot.

A pink carpet stretches out before your eyes, and if the weather is good, you can even see the distant Daisetsuzan mountain range—a truly luxurious experience.

Riding it with your family is sure to create lasting memories.

By the way, the helicopter tour lasts about 3 minutes and costs 5,000 yen for adults and 4,000 yen for children. That's a price that seems quite affordable!
(In 2018, the tours ran from May 19th to 27th, and this year's sightseeing tours have now concluded.)

The Shibazakura Festival, where you can enjoy the slightly late arrival of spring in Takinoue, was a beautiful festival with breathtaking scenery.

Seeing locals still planting moss phlox to create beautiful scenery makes me want to visit again next year.

The flower language of moss phlox is said to be "sincere love."

Why not visit with someone special to enjoy the magnificent scenery and the sweet, vibrant breeze of the moss phlox?
You'll definitely create unforgettable memories!

【Detailed information】
Event period: Early May to early June
Address: Motomachi, Takinoue-cho, Monbetsu-gun
Phone number: 0158-29-2730 (Takinoue Tourism Association)
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM *Shop and rest house hours may vary.
Admission fee: Adults 500 yen, Children 250 yen
*An entrance fee will be charged starting the day after the day when the moss phlox is deemed to be 3% in bloom.
Parking: 165 passenger cars (free)
Helicopter fare: Adults 5,000 yen, Children 4,000 yen
Takinoue Tourism Association:http://takinoue.com/

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