The Shibazakura have started to bloom

The Shibazakura have started to bloom in Kanto, aka the Greater Tokyo area. I took the photo in this post today, April 5th 2026. Moreover, I have been seeing moss phlox growing in the Kanto area the last week. 

Shibazakura, often called “moss phlox” in English, is a low‑growing flower that blooms in vivid carpets of pink, white, and purple each spring. Instead of growing on trees like cherry blossoms, it spreads across the ground, creating fields that look like soft, colorful moss. Shibazakura (芝桜) literally means “lawn cherry blossoms.” But they aren't actually related to cherry blossoms.

Many parks in Japan plant it in large patterns, turning hillsides into bright, quilt‑like landscapes that attract visitors. The best time to see them is generally from mid-April to the end of Golden Week. Have you seen any shibazakura yet this year?