Pollen dust is on the decline nowadays. Where are you planning to go this coming Golden Week? Below are 6 recommended flower festivals in Japan.

Ibaraki Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido

In this festival, you can enjoy the contrast of spring flowers (nemophilas and tulips) in a flower garden (2,500 square meters) located in front of the entrance gate to the experience-based agricultural park in Ibaraki Prefecture, “Komorebi Mori no Ibaraido.”

Gunma Flower Park “Tulip Festa”

In this festival, you can enjoy viewing about 190 thousand flowers (50 kinds) from early April to late April. The main, big flower garden has been renewed, so you can walk inside the garden filled with tulips!

Also, Yaeszakuras (sakura) centering around Sekiyama and field flowers will bloom here and there.

Mount Rokko National Park (Himalaya no Hikyo ni Saku Hanabana ～Aoi Keshi to Shinku no Sakunage～”

Mount Rokko National Park will hold a special event highlighting flowers in the backlands such as Himalaya mountains centering around “Himalayan blue poppy.” About 1,000 blue poppies will bloom in the rock garden and rare varieties such as the red alpine rose named, Rhododendron arboreum will be exhibited.

Saga Prefecture – Mifunayama Rakuen “Mifuneyama Rakuen Hana Matsuri”

Mifunayama Raken is designated as a National Treasure and you can enjoy viewing many kinds of spring flowers such as azaleas, Japanese wisterias and spring maples.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/102871

Garden Museum Hiei

Garden Museum Hiei (17,000 square meters) is an impressionist styled garden which was opened on the 14^th of April.

Tulips which survived the severe winter coldness will bloom from the 28^th of April (Sat.) to the 6^th of May (Sun.). The garden is also offering seeds of four leaves clover in April.

Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch “Ajisai Masturi”

Ajisai Matsuri (‘Hydrangea Festival’) will take place at Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki from June 2 to July 1, showcasing 1,250 varieties of hydrangea. There will also be a market where you can buy a variety of plans you’re interested in, as well as go on a tour by a hydrangea expert, a hydrangea light-up show at night, and more.

Detailed information：https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/102391

Please refer to this article when you want to visit a spring flower festival.

Hi, everyone. I’m Shiota, the director of the MOSHI MOSHI BOX.

This is the second entry to our already-popular series where we ask questions to 100 foreigners. We give questionnaires about Japan to foreign tourists that come into the MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center.

The 2nd question we asked people was “Where are you heading to next in Tokyo?” Let’s take a look at the answers!

1st Place: Shibuya (34 Votes)
The most popular answer was Shibuya, which got more than double that of the 2nd place rank. It’s common to see lots of foreign tourists taking photos of Shibuya’s famous Scramble Crossing. In the questionnaire answers, a lot of people were planning to go there for fashion and shopping.

I really love shopping. ―Karymoon, Mexico

・I’ve always wanted to try going to 109! I love fashion. ―Brigitte, France
・I’m off to buy clothes. If you’re going from Harajuku you can walk there [Shibuya] and stroll while window shopping. ―liu, China

2nd Place: Asakusa (13 Votes)
Asakusa is popular for its traditional townscape. There was an overwhelming number of people on their way to Sensou-ji Temple. Asakusa is a great for accessing other great sightseeing spots too like Skytree and Ueno.

I want to see the beautiful, traditional streets. ―Anonymous, US

・I’m collecting goshuin from shrines, so I’m going to the famous temple of Asakusa. ―LEE SUU JUNG, Taiwan
・I like the traditional culture of Japan. I go to Asakusa every time I come to Japan. ―Anonymous, US

3rd Place: Ueno (12 Votes)
Coming close to a tie with Asakusa is Ueno. Ueno is filled with lots of fun places to visit, like museums and the zoo, making it a great place to spend the day.

I heard that the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park are beautiful, so I’m going to go there. ―Celine, France

・I’m thinking about going to the zoo and Ueno Park. ―Kati, Australia
・I like pandas, so I’m going to go and see Ueno Zoo. ―Bianca, Italy

Other Answers:

Akihabara
I love anime! If we’re talking anime merchandise, then it’s “Akiba,” right? ―Jackson, UK

Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is the haven for female otaku. It’s also the best since there are so many cosplay events there. ―Anonymous, US

Ginza
I like the stylish streets. I’m gonna go there to shop. ―Adre, Portgual

Tsukiji
I love sushi! I’m going to go and eat delicious sashimi at Tsukiji. I want to experience the unique atmosphere too.

Shinjuku
I’m going to the big UNIQLO, museum and Hanazono Shrine found only in Shinjuku. ―Anonymous, Australia

Tokyo Tower
It looks fun. It’s a famous place in Japan, isn’t it? ―Sue, US

Did you enjoy this questionnaire? Travelers have a surprisingly similar mindset to that of Japanese people when it comes to having fun in Tokyo.

If you have any questions about anything or topics you want us to cover then please send us a message on our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/msmsnippon/

We’ll continue to hold more questionnaires with foreign tourists at the MOSHI MOSHI BOX, so be sure to drop by to see us if you’re in Harajuku!

Hi everyone! I’m Midori Blackmore from MOSHI MOSHI BOX Tourist Information Centre. As you all know, second-hand clothing has quickly become the new fashion. I have never worn a matching second-hand clothing outfit with a friend before. My friends are very different from me. They can effortlessly coordinate second-hand fashion whereas I can’t. I love second-hand clothes so much that they make up half the clothes I own in my closet.

…Despite this, I still feel a scared to enter second-hand shops, don’t you?

Whenever I see a new collection of second-hand fashion items making their debut appearance in a shop, I always think to myself, “only fashionable people can buy this stuff!” Running out of courage, there are times that I stop right before the entrance of the shop. That’s why I’m dedicating this article to all the second-hand fashion newbies out there. Today I’m going to introduce you to some second-hand clothing shops that are not scary to enter!

KINJI

KINJI原宿店さん(@kinji_harajuku)がシェアした投稿 – 2017年12月月5日午後8時09分PST

What is scary about second-hand clothing shops you ask? Sometimes they can look kind of dark. After all, dark clothing is fashionable. The dark atmosphere can be quite intimidating and can even put you off checking out the new arrivals of second-hand clothing. However, KENJI is a large shop with a bright interior. The atmosphere is comparable to that of a supermarket. Of course, the items inside are also super cute!

ばぶかぼんさん(@bbkpp_bn)がシェアした投稿 – 2016年 3月月20日午後8時08分PDT

I recommend KENJI’s remade goods! If you own one of these, you will find yourself often being asked by people where you got that from.

flamingo

フラミンゴ原宿店さん(@flamingo_harajuku)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 3月月9日午後10時06分PST

Flamingo is the mecca of second-hand shops. This famous shop also has a branch in Shimokitazawa. We are often asked about this shop at MOSHI MOSHI BOX. Compared to shopping malls, not only are there less customers in second-hand clothing shops, but the staff at second-hand shops approach you more, so there are times that I get put off from entering at all.

I recommend flamingo because unlike other second-hand shops, it is always busy with customers. The atmosphere of “no unfashionable people allowed” might play on your mind in some second-hand shops but not here! At flamingo, everyone is too busy daydreaming about clothes to even notice you so there is no need to overthink!

フラミンゴ原宿店さん(@flamingo_harajuku)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 3月月4日午後8時13分PST

Flamingo has a reputation of selling lots of shoes. Although brand new shoes are cute, worn out shoes also have their charm. You can wear them down yourself but this can be quite difficult to achieve, so it might be worth just buying some from a second-hand shop.

WEGO Harajuku main shop

WEGO VINTAGE TOKYOさん(@wego_vintage_tokyo)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 2月月15日午後10時07分PST

WEGO is popular with middle school students because it is cheap, affordable and sells second-hand clothes! There used to be a second-hand shop next to H&M but now there is a special second-hand clothing floor inside WEGO Harajuku main shop. The shop is filled with friendly staff and the kindest of people, so this is definitely a place you could challenge yourself to!

WEGO VINTAGE TOKYOさん(@wego_vintage_tokyo)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 3月月8日午前2時27分PST

Second-hand clothing plus new accessories… It’s fun to think about creating an outfit at WEGO. The prices here are fairly cheap, so you’ll probably end up buying lots of things. Sometimes there are limited sales events where you can stuff your bag with as many clothes as you like for a fixed price, so make sure to keep checking their SNS feeds!

MARTE

Have you ever made the effort to buy specifically from a second-hand shop but then the clothes you have and the atmosphere in which you try the clothes on have changed so much that you cannot coordinate anything? When you buy basic items, patterned shirts and large jackets from a second-hand shop, you sometimes think your new purchases are cute when you see them in the shop but then when you go home you lose the confidence to wear them…what a waste, right?

For those of you out there who have experienced this, I recommend MARTE.

MARTE　vintage fashion boutiqueさん(@marte_vintage)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 3月月9日午前3時14分PST

I definitely recommend the dresses from here. Just put one on and you will transform into a vintage girl. You can always coordinate these dresses with a jacket and trainers. Consult the fashionable shop assistants and make sure to get your hands on some clothes that are easy to mix and match!

MARTE　vintage fashion boutiqueさん(@marte_vintage)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年 2月月27日午前1時43分PST

MARTE’s original items are also really cute!

I have so many more recommendations for you in mind but the more I write the more likely I am to expose just how nervous I am about entering shops so I’m going to stop here!

If you are ever lost, please come see us at MOSHI MOSHI BOX!

As well as being a hub for shopping, Odaiba is a popular sightseeing destination. It’s seen as being a little far from central Tokyo, but you can in fact arrive there in about 20 minutes from Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Here are 6 locations in Odaiba that we recommend for foreign tourists. Be sure to take note if you’re planning a trip there!

愛緒唯さん(@_aoooooi)がシェアした投稿 – 4月 4, 2018 at 6:18午前 PDT

AQUA CiTY ODAIBA

This is Odaiba’s huge shopping complex. There’s a huge range of facilities to be found there, including a shrine, ramen, 4DX® and much more. One place you mustn’t forget to visit is Odaiba’s “Statue of Liberty” which has become a famous photo spot. It’s relatively smaller compared to the one in New York and the replica in Paris, but you’ll still see a lot of people snapping pictures.

yuko888さん(@yuko__888)がシェアした投稿 – 4月 11, 2017 at 3:20午前 PDT

Odaiba Tourist Information Center
At this information center you will find a realistic looking android by the name of Chihira Junko. She is 26-years-old, was born on June 1^st and comes in at 165cm tall. This is the only place in the world with an android permanently set up at a tourist information center. She speaks Japanese, English and Chinese.

澤田 清仁さん(@kiyoto.sawada)がシェアした投稿 – 3月 29, 2018 at 10:00午後 PDT

Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai
Ramen is a popular food in Japan as we discovered in our questionnaire held at the MOSHI MOSHI BOX on people’s favourite Japanese food. Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai is a collection of six famous ramen restaurants from around Japan that are popular both in Japan and overseas. They serve up an original menu that you can’t taste anywhere else.

Pamella Alferesさん(@pamellaalferes)がシェアした投稿 – 4月 3, 2018 at 5:22午前 PDT

Ｈello Kitty Japan
This shop serves up a compelling collaboration between the Japanese style and Sanrio characters. It’s lined with merchandise of popular characters from Hello Kitty to Gudetama and beyond. They also sell kawaii sweets inspired by the characters in the sweets corner of their eat-in section♡

内原 正詞さん(@famikisha7307)がシェアした投稿 – 4月 2, 2018 at 8:08午前 PDT

Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam – THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO
THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO is an official Gunpla store aimed at Gunpla fans worldwide. You can enjoy Gunpla to the absolute max by buying, using, looking and learning. On the first floor there’s also a gigantic life-sized Unicorn Gundam towering at 19.7m high. Its knees and shoulders move, and it even lights up. In the evening, the statue and screen at the back showcase scenes from the anime series.

yumika☺︎✴︎さん(@ymk_28)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 19, 2018 at 7:52午前 PST

Madame Tussauds Tokyo
Madame Tussauds Tokyo is home to over 60 realistic life-sized statues of world famous stars and celebrities from Hollywood stars to musicians, historical figures, sportsmen – the list goes on. You can take a picture with the figures on show and you can also make a giant figure of your own hand.

Did you like our pick?

Odaiba has so many things for you to see in one day, so make sure to visit all its great spots!

It’s still pretty chilly outside, isn’t it? Let’s take a look at locations around Japan where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while taking a dip in the onsen (hot spring). Being able to enjoy hanami while bathing in the hot water is really a luxurious experience – it’s something everyone should try.

Ayumi Watanabeさん(@op_n_tetsuo)がシェアした投稿 – 11月 20, 2016 at 4:49午前 PST

“Marumine Kanko Hotel” – Fukushima Prefecture

The best part about this hotel is undoubtedly their large baths with a great view! The breathtaking panoramic view from their hot springs allows for you to enjoy gorgeous sights from season to season. Their open-air baths, which are perfect for the beautiful cherry blossom season, have separate impressive themes and designs for males and females. They also have rooms that come with their own open-air baths aimed at couples and families too.

Wataru Inoueさん(@watapoiktm)がシェアした投稿 – 9月 24, 2017 at 12:08午前 PDT

“Kinranso Hanayama” – Fukushima Prefecture

You can enjoy the taking a dip in an open-air bath designed like a houseboat while soaking up the view of lush nature surrounding you. Kinranso Hanayama’s unusual baths are truly a sight to see. The baths are one with nature and offer an extraordinary experience.

mariさん(@h.s.mm.r)がシェアした投稿 – 6月 3, 2017 at 1:02午前 PDT

“Fuga No Yado Chouseikan” – Niigata Prefecture

This hot spring has a lot of history and has been known in the area since long ago. It opened 700 years ago and is a hot spring where you can naturally feel both nature and history. When the flowers are in full bloom, large cherry blossom trees fill your vision and spellbind you without you even realising.

🌺🌴🌈↞ ｋｏｔｏ ↠🌈🌴🌺さん(@kochaaaan_)がシェアした投稿 – 11月 22, 2015 at 6:19午前 PST

“Yukemuri-no-Sato Kashiwaya” – Tochigi Prefecture

This hotel has 4 open-air baths, all of which are filled with healing water and all of which immerse you Tochigi’s lavish nature. There are separate designs for the male and female baths that are a lot of fun. Two of the open-air baths that can be reserved have giant windows with a panoramic view, allowing you to enjoy the outdoor sights to your heart’s content.

Tatsuya Satoさん(@tatsukochin)がシェアした投稿 – 7月 21, 2017 at 11:26午後 PDT

“Hotel Kaminoyu Hot Spring” – Yamanashi Prefecture

This large public bath house has a whopping 7 different baths, meaning you can find and pick which one you like the most. This site also has the second largest tarufuro, a type of wooden barrel bath. What’s more is that you can experience Mount Fuji, a starry sky and cherry blossoms at night – all at once! This one sure is luxurious.

水谷隆寛さん(@10912_taka_0469)がシェアした投稿 – 3月 20, 2018 at 3:23午前 PDT

“Bosenkan” – Gifu Prefecture

The word “river” makes up part of the name of this hotel, referring to the existence of the nearby river that you can experience. The hotel offers a variety of plans, including one for couples as well as relaxation plan, both of which are popular. For meals, you can enjoy local beef from the city of Hida, koshihikari rice that is cultivated in Gifu’s Maze River which was selected as Japan’s best clear stream, and more. The international hit movie Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) was even the city of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Definitely take a trip here.

sum178さん(@sum178)がシェアした投稿 – 3月 26, 2016 at 4:22午後 PDT

“Asanoya” – Hyogo Prefecture

There are two open-air baths at this hotel: “Hikoboshi” (Altair) and “Orihime” (Vega). In the women’s bath, Orihime, large cherry trees bloom gracefully overhead. The hotel also has baths for couples and families that can be reserved. They even have footbaths, so it might be nice to stop by on your way back from sightseeing to heal up those weary feet.

Did you enjoy this list? Be sure to treat yourself to some self-indulging time at one of Japan’s many hot spring locations.

It’s safe to say that a lot of people who travel around Tokyo use Shinjuku Station. There’s a lot of souvenir shops around there, but it can be difficult to know what to buy.

In this article, the staff over at the MOSHI MOSHI BOX, Harajuku’s tourist information center loved by travelers, will introduce you to some places to pick up a great souvenir around Shinjuku station, all easily accessible via train lines and the shinkansen!

akinaaさん(@seiy17)がシェアした投稿 – 1月 15, 2016 at 2:36午前 PST

Ruki’s Recommendations (Spanish Staff) – “BAKE CHEESE TART”
They have a crispy and fluffy texture! They’re sweet and really delicious.

They’re tasty as they are, but I recommend eating them hot when the shop opens, that’s when they’re best♡

おはなさん(@instaohana)がシェアした投稿 – 7月 8, 2017 at 4:56午前 PDT

Minimal’s Recommendations (Hong Kong Staff) – Cream Puffs at “Choux d’Enfer Paris”
Cute, bite-sized cream puffs! The outside sugar is crunchy and the dough is light.

They have regular flavours like custard and chocolate, but also Japanese-style flavours including cherry blossom and matcha.

Banako’s Recommendations (Chinese-Speaking Staff) – “Ginza Cozy Corner”
Ginza Cozy Corner sells delicious western-style confectioneries. I recommend their matcha flavoured yakikashi (baked sweets)! They’re made with carefully selected high quality ingredients such as Uji matcha and Uji houjicha that will make you feel relaxed. You can enjoy a combination of traditional Japan and western-style confectionery!

NEWoMan_officialさん(@newoman_official)がシェアした投稿 – 12月 30, 2017 at 7:40午後 PST

Midori’s Recommendations (Miss ID Semifinalist) – Pochiokaki at “Hyouhyouan”
These crunchy rice crackers come in decorative envelopes with beautiful Edo designs! They can of course be given as a New Year’s gift, and are a sign of good luck as a celebratory present. The rice crackers are also made of a rare mochi rice from Toyama Prefecture. They will satisfy kids and adults alike.

やこさん(@yakochin3)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 1, 2018 at 10:13午後 PST

Ellie’s Recommendations (English-Speaking Staff) – Namasasara at “Yui”
This shop sells cute bite-sized Japanese sweets. You can buy them from inside NEWoMan which is a shopping facility directly connected to Shinjuku Station. Each and every one of their fine confectioneries are carefully handmade by experts. They sell sweets individually too, so I recommend them as a little present!

@kiiiroto.5がシェアした投稿 – 2月 23, 2016 at 1:14午前 PST

Shiota’s Recommendations (Director of MOSHI MOSHI BOX) – An Chocolate at “L’OLIOLI 365”
“An Chocolate” is a steamed dessert made with red bean and chocolate. The center has two layers and the bottom is a red bean and chocolate mousse. They have plenty of flavours including apricot jam, caramel, matcha and more.

Did you enjoy the staff’s list?

If you find yourself stuck on what to buy as a gift, then be sure to reference this article. Have a wonderful trip in Tokyo♫