Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, Kutchan

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.