Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival: the Perfect September Day Trip Near Tokyo
In this article, I’d like to share with you another of my favorite flower festivals near Tokyo: the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival. Every September, the Kinchakuda Manjushage Park, located in the serene countryside of Hidaka (日高市), Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県), is transformed into a scarlet sea of flowers, with the blooming of over 5 millions of red spider lilies.
Whether you're a nature lover, photography enthusiast, or simply looking for an unforgettable day trip from Tokyo in September, the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival is a great option to consider!
In 2024, the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival will be held from September 18 to October 2. Read on if you’d like to know more about this fantastic event!
A Glimpse of the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival
A day trip from Tokyo to the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival is first of all a refreshing escape into the enchanting Japanese countryside or inaka (田舎). While the red spider lily signals the start of autumn, you can still enjoy the green summer scenery with beautiful views of wide fields, the Koma River flowing nearby, and Mount Hiwada in the background, adding to the peaceful feel of this countryside day trip as you approach the festival’s site.
When I visited in 2022, after following the crowds and the patches of bright red color, I entered the park after paying a small ¥500 entrance fee. I instantly loved how the vibrant red spider lilies stood out against the green leaves of the trees, like a scene from a fairytale. There are several paths to walk through the park, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery without disturbing the delicate flowers.
Did you know? Red spider lilies, or higanbana (彼岸花) or manjushage (曼珠沙華) in Japanese, are often seen as symbols of death and afterlife. They are often found near temples and shrines as well as graveyards. Folktales suggest red spider lilies grow in Hell and help guide spirits to the afterlife or reincarnation. Personally, I'm more attached to the symbol of rebirth, the flower also announcing the arrival of my favorite season in Japan, autumn.
A large open-air area of the park is dedicated to food stalls, where you can sample local delicacies, including chestnut-made snacks. It's the perfect opportunity to sample local products and take home unique souvenirs while supporting local farmers.
Photography enthusiasts like myself will have a lot of fun capturing from all angles these stunning flowers with the backdrop of the mountains and river. I also saw quite a few cosplayers taking advantage of this magical setting.
If you want a break from the festival or a place to have a picnic, there are nice spots by the river where you can relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the water. So don't forget to bring a picnic mat!
Event Information
Address: Kinchakuda Manjushage Park, Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture
Dates of the festival: September 18 - October 2, 2024
Entry: ¥500
Official website (in Japanese): http://kinchakuda.com/
How to Get There
It takes about a hour and half to get to Kinchakuda Manjushage Park from central Tokyo, making it a perfect day trip destination.
The easiest way to reach the festival is by taking a train to Koma Station (高麗駅) on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.
From there, you can enjoy a pleasant 15-minute walk to the park. You can just follow the people getting off the train, they will most likely be going to the festival as well.
A Few Tips for the Best Time in Kinchakuda
1/ Best time to visit? Because the timing can vary slightly each year depending on weather conditions, I’d recommend checking the blooming status online or on social media beforehand. If you have the option, I’d recommend visiting on a weekday, as they are typically less crowded, providing a more tranquil experience.
2/ Refrain from touching the red spider lilies! They are beautiful, but also poisonous.
3/ Expect heavy traffic around the festival area if you are coming by car or by bus. To share my personal experience, when I went to Kinchakuda, I was not coming from Tokyo but from Kawagoe where I had spent the previous night. After taking a train to a nearby station, Komagawa, I literally spent an hour on a bus at a standstill due to heavy traffic! I eventually got off at the next bus stop and walked the rest of the way. I learned my lesson!
Other Places to Visit Nearby
If you want to explore the area further (which I couldn’t but wish I’d had the time), you can hike to the top of the nearby Mount Hiwada (日和田山). There are several hikes of varying lengths in the area: here’s a map by Seibu Railway (in Japanese) showing the various possible hikes around Mount Hiwada. If you are temples and shrines lover (like myself), another option is to take a 30-minute walk (one way) to visit Shoden-in Temple (高麗山聖天院) and Koma Shrine (高麗神社).
There’s plenty more to see and do in Saitama Prefecture! If you decide to turn your Tokyo day trip into a weekend or 2-3 day trip, you can also head to easily accessible destinations like Kawagoe (川越市) or Omiya (大宮) for example. I’ll be writing a detailed guide to each of these destinations in the future, so make sure to sign up for my newsletter to be informed when they’re published.
To Conclude
What I liked most about the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival is that it offers a unique opportunity to witness the beautiful and vibrant meeting of summer and autumn. I highly recommend this festival near Tokyo to all nature and flower lovers! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if my article has inspired you to visit Kinchakuda!
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