When is the best time to visit Mishima's Shibazakura Garden?

The optimal visiting period is from late May to early June when the moss phlox flowers are in full bloom. The exact timing varies each year depending on weather conditions and seasonal temperatures. The blooming period typically lasts about two weeks, so it's advisable to check local bloom reports before planning your visit to ensure you catch the flowers at their peak.

Is there an entrance fee to visit the garden?

No, admission to Mishima's Shibazakura Garden is completely free. Mr. Kazuo Mishima generously opens his private garden to the public each spring without charging any entrance fee. However, as this is a private residence opened out of kindness, visitors should be respectful of the property and surrounding area.

How do I get to the garden from Sapporo or Niseko?

From Sapporo, the drive takes approximately 2 hours via Route 393 and Route 230 through Nakayama Pass. From the Niseko resort area, the garden is only about 10 minutes away by car. If using public transportation, take the JR train to Kutchan Station, from where the garden is about a 15-minute walk. The garden is located along Fairytale Street off National Route 5.

What makes this garden different from other flower parks in Hokkaido?

Mishima's Shibazakura Garden is unique because it is a privately owned and maintained garden that began as one man's personal hobby over 40 years ago. Unlike large commercial flower parks, this intimate 4,000-square-meter garden offers a more authentic, handcrafted experience. The spectacular backdrop of Mount Yotei combined with the colorful carpet of moss phlox and canola flowers creates a distinctly Hokkaido landscape, while the personal story behind the garden adds a special cultural dimension to the visit.

Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, Kutchan

Q: Where can I park when visiting the garden?

There is no dedicated parking lot at the garden itself since it is private property. Visitors can use several nearby public parking facilities including the Shibazakura Temporary Parking Lot (open mid-May to early June), Asahigaoka Park Parking Lot, Kutosan Park Parking Lot, or Wanpaku Square parking. From these locations, the garden is accessible on foot.

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Mishima's Shibazakura Garden in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido, is a privately owned flower garden that has become one of the region's most beloved spring destinations. The garden was created and is maintained by Kazuo Mishima, a local retired farmer who began cultivating moss phlox as a hobby in his own garden. Over more than 40 years, he has carefully expanded the blooms from seedlings across the entire property, transforming it into a vibrant seasonal spectacle. What began as a personal passion project has evolved into a cherished local landmark, with Mr. Mishima generously opening his private residence garden to the public each year.

The garden covers approximately 4,000 square meters and showcases shibazakura, commonly known as moss phlox or pink moss. These low-growing flowers bloom densely across the ground in brilliant shades of pink, white, and purple, resembling cherry blossoms in petal shape. The garden also features contrasting yellow nanohana (canola flowers), creating a multi-colored carpet effect. The most striking feature is the backdrop of Mount Yotei, often called Ezo Fuji or Hokkaido's Mount Fuji, which remains snow-capped during the blooming season.

Visitors can explore the garden freely during the blooming period, which typically runs from late May to early June, depending on weather conditions each year. The handcrafted, personal nature of the garden distinguishes it from larger commercial flower parks. As a private residence opened to the public through Mr. Mishima's kindness, visitors are expected to observe proper etiquette while touring the grounds. The intimate scale and local character of the garden offer a quieter, more authentic experience compared to major tourist attractions.

Admission to the garden is completely free. The garden is located at 51 Aza-Asahi, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido. Since it is situated on private property, there is no dedicated parking lot available. Visitors should use nearby facilities including the Shibazakura Temporary Parking Lot (open mid-May to early June), Asahigaoka Park Parking Lot, Kutosan Park Parking Lot, or Wanpaku Square parking.

The garden is accessible on foot, approximately 15 minutes walking from JR Kutchan Station. For those driving, the location is roughly 2 hours from Sapporo via Route 393 and Route 230 through Nakayama Pass, and about 10 minutes from the Niseko resort area. The garden can be found along Fairytale Street off National Route 5, near Niseko Shuzo sake brewery.

Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, Kutchan

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What other travelers are saying about Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, Kutchan

A huge and amazing garden that just blows one’s mind. A homeowners labour of love that gets nurtured year in year out. This is someone’s residence in a residential area. Be respectful. Don’t drive past - park at the bottom of the hill (there’s a small park with parking) and make the short 500m walk to the house.

John Rustrick

Aug 20, 2025

I was there on 4.6.2025. Highly recommended! It’s very kind of Mishima san for letting us in her garden. The shibasakura was in full bloom and it was so beautiful. Pink carpet of all the flowers. The smell of the flowers was also amazing. The parking is actually located a little bit further away about 300 meters from the garden.

The garden is a beautiful hillside covered in shibazakura, a kind of moss with pink and white flowers. It is stunning and is in bloom now. It is well worth a visit. Plus on a clear day you'll have an amazing view of Mt. Yotei. And if you're really lucky, you get to meet Mr. Mishima, the gardens owner. There is a free parking lot.

Parking is quite insufficient. It’s better to arrive as early as you can. Visiting by walk is also a good option if you stay nearby.

30 May 2024. It was a short walk from Kutchan Station. The colours of the shibazakura were splendid and there was a lovely fragrance in the air from the flowers. A very well-maintained garden. Have to take care not to trespass to the surrounding private homes/gardens.