Fuji Shibazakura Festival: Tips and Mistakes that I Learned from Visiting the Festival!

Mount Fuji is a spot for a nature lover, and if I were given more time, I would definitely explore the city more in-depth or even hike the mountain. But, you know time is our best enemy, and we need to make a full of it yet it just for one day. So, here's my insight on Fuji Shibazakura Festival.

Pink moss phlox with Mount Fuji as background? Call me anytime.

Since the festival tickets weren't sold outside of Japan, we need to visit the JR East Travel Sevice Centre (Shinjuku) in the country and settle everything. Initially, we didn't plan to went there which I honestly can tell you that it is a last minute plan. Therefore, I experienced ups and downs throughout this road trip outside of Tokyo.

But, before we get into the juicy stuff, let's get to know about the Shibazakura festival a bit. 

WHAT IS FUJI SHIBAZAKURA FESTIVAL?

Located three kilometres south of Lake Motosuko in the Fuji Five Lakes area, Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり) offers breathtaking views of 800,000 moss phlox with Mount Fuji in the backdrop on bright days.

The festival estimates run from mid-April through early June and it can get crowded during Golden Week, which is Japan national holidays happened. 

2017 map of the festival.

They have around 800,00 type of moss and this is one of them.

BUDGET & TRANSPORTATION?

Since we stayed in Shimokitazawa, we need to go to Shinjuku via Odakyu Line. Then from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko via Shinkansen non-reserved seat. So, here's the summary of my ride to Shibazakura Festival.

1. Shimokitazawa > Shinjuku JR Station via Odakyu Line: JPY 160

2. Shinjuku > Otsuki : JPY1,320

3. Otsuki > Kawaguchiko: JPY1,140 

4. Kawaguchiko > Fuji Shibazakura Festival : JPY600 (include bus round trip and entrance fee).

5. Kawaguchiko > Otsuki: JPY1,140

6. Otsuki > Shinjuku : JPY1,320.

Total: JPY5,680.

The price that I stated here is for an adult in the year 2017. Since it's 2019, there might be an easier route if you stay nearby Shinjuku station or you can just take a bus to Kawaguchiko which save some budget.

Train to Kawaguchiko.

Beautiful view along the train ride.

Kawaguchiko station is very crowded at this time.

TIPS FROM MISTAKES THAT I LEARNED... THIS IS SUPER HONEST

I could say that this trip to Shibazakura takes most of our time and energy because we need to woke up around 4.30am to transfer one station to another. Again, it depends on an individual situation. Let me share you some of the mistakes that I learned and tips from it.

1. TAKE YOUR TIME

What I meant by this is to make sure that you are not rushing and pay for a night train, if available. Because our train time from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku was around 4pm or 5am which is not great at all if there is a massive traffic jam to Shibazakura that took most of our time (two hours if I'm not mistaken).

So, we get to spend around half an hour only at the festival which is not enough. I don't like to rush things, and since the view is just marvellous, I don't want to go back to the city at that time. But, since the train ticket is paid and we need to head to Osaka on the next day, it's time to say goodbye to the beautiful moss phlox. 

One with the moss and Mount Fuji.

I'm going to say this a thousand of time; BEAUTIFUL VIEW!

2. AVOID THIS DATE

Since Shibazakura happened around April to June, please avoid Golden Week timing. In 2019, the national holidays are going to be from April 27 until May 6 this year. 

While, Shibazakura festival will open from April 13 until May 26 (8:00 - 17:00), but take note that the date and time might changes depends on the flower conditions. So, please hear me out. If you don't want to stuck in a terrible jam and spend little time at the festival, avoid going on this date.

I didn't show the other side of the festival yet.

3. HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS

Since the bus and entrance tickets are attached to one, please hold onto it with care. Because sometimes, you can accidentally tear one of it, which will create a vast misunderstanding. My brother experience that with the entrance staff and it wasn't a good experience at all.

You can keep this ticket for memory!

4. TAKE YOUR BREAKFAST FIRST

The trip to Shibazakura took around 2 or 3 hours of your time which it's a must to grab some breakfast. Plus, there aren't any Halal Certified food in the festival (Mt.Fuji Delicious Food Festival), so along the way bring some Onigiri or you can check the Halal-ness by showing Muslim Dietary Card by Halal Navi. 

One of the Fuji Shiba-Zakura Limited-Edition Souvenirs.

5. DON'T FORGET TO CAPTURE YOUR MEMORIES!

Like I said all the time in this post, the view is just remarkable. You can't take your eyes of the colourful moss phlox with a Mount Fuji as a background at all. Take a lot of pictures because you are allowed too and visit the Panorama Plaza, which is a raised viewing deck that overlooks the whole of the site.

Capture memories even it just for a while 😊

I love this lilac and pinkish flowers.

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I love sharing mistakes that I did during travelling because that's where I won't repeat the same thing all over again. But, if you are looking for more tips, you can check out this article by Sora News 24. By the way, watch out for this space because I will be posting quality topics range from travel to beauty and there might more personal post where I shared marriage stuff and others. I'm so excited to start 2019 by curating a quality content for you all. Till next time!

OFFICIAL SHIBAZAKURA ENGLISH SITE

If you are in Kawaguchiko on April 13 to 26 May, totally recommend you to visit the festival.

DISCLAIMER:

This trip is not sponsored by any entities. But, either sponsored or not, the write-up will be 100% my personal opinion. Btw, this post may contain affiliate links, so make sure to check DISCLOSURE for more info.

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