Japan 2019 (Greentours)

Though the south of Japan's memorably scenic archipelago experiences a sub-tropical climate, the northernmost parts of this island chain have more in common with Siberia. Early spring bulbs bloom where the snows are still receding, whilst lower latitudes and elevations host a more exotic flora.

Content

Highlights

Sado Island: see Magnolia salicifolia and Magnolia hypoleuca in bloom in woodland. Diphylleia grayi and lovely Lilium maculatum can be found amongst shrubberies and there’s Hemerocallis middendorffii var. exaltata too.

Hakuba-jiri: In the famous snowy valley, see Glaucidium palmatum with its impressive pink or white blooms as well as Anemone flaccida, Primula jesoana and Paris japonica.

Tanigawa: Primula cuneifolia var. hakusanensis, powder-blue Iris gracilipes, and the frilly pink blooms of Shortia uniflora, whilst in Oyomi can be found on the alpine slopes.

Pass through Tokyo en route to Odawara and the famous spa at Hakone-Yumoto. From here, we will explore the rich Miura Peninsula – see Lilium auratum, Arisaema serratum and Astilbe simplicifolia

Hokkaido: Japan’s northernmost scenic wonderland. Early bloomers like Erythronium japonicum, white Trillium camschatcense and red Trillium smalli will still be flowering in the mountains.