Takinoue 滝上町 is located about 2 hours north of Asahikawa in Hokkaido and is famous for its pink Shibazakura ‘moss phlox’. Takinoue Park 滝上公園 is covered with a bright pink carpet of moss phlox flowers from early May to early June which draws thousands of visitors annually.
Takinoue Park 滝上公園 Hills
The park began in 1956 with a “mandarin orange box full” of moss phlox seeds. Every year more flowers were planted each year until they filled over 24 acres of the park which fill the park with a sweet scent that some say is similar to that of marijuana!
Shibazakura
Phlox subulata (creeping phlox, moss phlox, moss pink, or mountain phlox) is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae, native to eastern and central USA, and widely cultivated.
Takinoue Park 滝上公園 purple moss
Growing to 15 cm high and covering a 50 cm wide area, it is an evergreen perennial forming cushions of leaves. The small, five-petaled flowers bloom in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink in late spring to early summer.
Takinoue Park 滝上公園
Driving there is highly recommended as it is a scenic and relaxed trip with lots of places to see and take photos. Foreigners nervous about driving will find it much easier than expected to drive with well marked roads and little traffic.
Takinoue Park 滝上公園 beauty
From Asahikawa city, after visiting Takinoue Park 滝上公園, the trip can be further enjoyed by driving on to Mombetsu City on the north coast of Hokkaido.
Takinoue Park 滝上公園 path and bridge
Admission: Adults 500 Yen and Children 250 Yen (Admission charged only during Shiba-sakura Matsuri Moss phlox festival from early May to middle of June)
Website of the Shiba-sakura Matsuri Moss phlox festival (Japanese): http://www.town.takinoue.hokkaido.jp/shibazakura_festival
Address: Motomachi, Takinoue-Cho, Mombetsu-gun, Hokkaido
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