Metropolis-994

Though Golden Week may
be a little late for sakura
viewing, the months of
April and May are prime
time to see the spectacular
shibazakura blooming in the
Motosuko, Mount Fuji area.
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is famous for
those amazing picture postcard photos you may
have seen of a snow-capped—and soon-to-be
world heritage site—Mount Fuji framed by a lush
carpet of cherry blossom moss in red, white, pink
and purple as far as the eye can see.
Located at the foot of Mount Fuji, soon to be
a world heritage site, this yearly festival makes a
perfect day trip away from the crowded streets
of Tokyo.
After a scenic train ride to Kawaguchiko
station from Shinjuku, a local shuttle will take
you to the viewing area. If you prefer, there is
also a bus that will take you directly to the area
from Shinjuku station.
Once in the Motosuko area, you can enjoy the
stunning natural landscape and relax after the
long journey with your toes in Mother Nature’s
colorful pink carpet set against the backdrop of
advertorial
Fuji Shibazakura FeStival
Step into a picture postcard
in Yamanashi
Open: Everyday, 8am-5pm
Enquiry: 0555-89-3031 (Japanese Only)
Mount Fuji.
A local food festival is also held each year
at the same time, so you can enjoy traditional
homegrown delicacies while you traipse amid the
area's natural splendor. Some popular traditional
dishes from the area are Yoshida udon and
Fujinomiya yakisoba. You can also try nikuman
(steamed buns with meat filling) or chimaki (rice
cake wrapped in bamboo leaves) made with the
Yamanashi-brand Fujizakura pork. Follow them
up with a sweet sakura-flavored roll cake or
shibazakura manju—another popular treat made
with pickled sakura leaf dough and filled with
azuki beans.
GettinG there
Take the JR Chuo and Fujikyuko lines to
Kawaguchiko station to grab the 30-minute
shuttle bus to Fujimotosuko. Or take the
Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji station and a
shuttle bus 75 minutes to the hanami area. The
bus that leaves directly from Shinjuku station
takes about two hours and 25 minutes.
☛ Fuji Shibazakura Festival at Fujimotosuko resort
☛ apr 13-June 2, 8am-5pm.
☛ 212 Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minami tsuru district,
Yamanashi. ¥500 (over JHS), ¥200 (over 3).
☛ tel: 0555-89-3031 (Japanese only).
☛ www.shibazakura.jp/eng
Fuji
shibazakura Shibazakura
festival Festival
Experience a living carpet of pink moss
April June
13 02
www.shibazakura.jp/eng
Address: 212 Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko,
Minami Tsuru district
#994 ● www.METROPOLIS.CO.JP ● 19