[2025 Tatebayashi Azalea Festival] Be amazed by the world's best azalea garden

• Table of Contents
• Be impressed by 10,000 azaleas at the Azalea Festival
• History of Tutsujigaoka Park
• The azalea beloved by Koutou no naishi, estimated to be 800 years old
• "Space Azalea" in space aboard the space shuttle
• Gun squad 100
• Stroll around the park "C+ Walk"
• access
• summary

Be impressed by 10,000 azaleas at the Azalea Festival

This azalea garden is unique in Japan, with approximately 10,000 azalea plants of 70 varieties in bloom.
You will be captivated by its vivid and gorgeous beauty.
You can see rare varieties that are unique to Tutsujigaoka Park an azalea estimated to be 800 years old, the descendants of an azalea that traveled through space, and more. You're sure to find your favorite azalea.

Azaleas reflected in the lake

History of Tutsujigaoka Park

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A picture from the Edo period. You can see that it was called "Tsutsujigasaki."

Not only has the area been home to a large number of mountain azaleas since ancient times, but successive lords of Tatebayashi transplanted azaleas from all over the country to expand and improve the garden.

After the Meiji era, Katori Motohiko, the first governor of Gunma, decided to restore the azalea garden, which had fallen into disrepair. Thanks to the efforts of the local community, the garden was restored and an opening ceremony was held in 1885. In May 1886, the Empress and Empress Dowager visited the garden.

In 1930, about 1,000 azaleas were planted on the west side of the garden, and a new azalea garden called "New Park" was created. As a result, the original azalea garden is now called "Old Park."
In 1934, the old park's many old and famous trees and their blooming scenery were designated a national cultural property under the name "Tsutsujigaoka. " Tsutsujigaoka Park name and reality as one of Japan's leading azalea gardens.

Tsutsujigaoka Park is a place of relaxation for citizens and is beloved as a world-class azalea garden that Tatebayashi City is proud of.
During the Azalea Festival, free volunteer guides will be on hand to show you around the highlights (9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; sign language guides are available on designated days only).
There are a variety of different events on stage each day, including hula dancing and performances by local idol groups.
Within the park, you can purchase souvenirs, there are cafes, and restaurants serving meals such as udon noodles, a specialty of Tatebayashi, a city famous for its wheat production, so you won't get bored even if you stay there all day.
Of course, there are also many restaurants nearby where you can enjoy Tatebayashi gourmet food such as eel, ramen, tempura, udon, and tonkatsu.

Tutsujigaoka Park today

Vibrantly blooming azalea flowers

Tutsujigaoka Park illuminated by the setting sun

Don't miss any of the events!

The azalea beloved by Koutou no naishi, estimated to be 800 years old

The azalea Koutou no naishi is estimated to be 800 years old.

In 1627, Matsudaira (Sakakibara) Tadatsugu transplanted several hundred azaleas from Nitta County (present-day Ota City, Gunma ), which was within his Koutou no naishi at the time. These azaleas were said to have been planted by Nitta Yoshisada for his wife, Koto no Naishi.
The azalea that has watched over history is over 5m tall and is Tsutsujigaoka Park.

"Space Azalea" in space aboard the space shuttle

Chiaki Mukai, a native of Tatebayashi City and the first Japanese woman to fly in space, brought seeds from three different types of ancient trees on board the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1994.
After the return, the seeds were returned to the city and grew into "Space Azaleas," which bloom in abundance every year.

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In honour of Mukai Chiaki's achievement, the "Space Azalea" was registered as a trademark in 1999.

View the azaleas at Tutsujigaoka Park

Gun squad 100

A dignified figure in armor

In 1915, Yayo Sugimoto , a resident of Tatebayashi , purchased a large number of azaleas from the Okubo Azalea Garden in Hyakunincho , Shinjuku Ward , Tokyo , and donated Tutsujigaoka Park. These azaleas are the basis for the various varieties of Kirishima azalea that are Tutsujigaoka Park.
In fact, growing horticultural plants was popular during the Edo period, and the Edo Shogunate's 100-man rifle unit, who lived in Okubo at the time and were responsible for guarding Shinjuku, also grew plants as a side job.
After that, the Okubo Azalea Garden was closed, and in 2008 the azaleas from Okubo that were cultivated at Tsutsujigaoka Park were planted in Okubo.
Thanks to this azalea, demonstrations of traditional matchlock guns have been held in Shinjuku since 2013 by the Edo Shogunate Firearms Preservation Society.

Watch a video of the Edo Shogunate's rifle squad

Stroll around the park "C+ Walk"

During the Azalea Festival, the electric mobility vehicle "C+Walk" will be available for rental (fees apply).
The speed is 2 to 6 km per hour and no helmet is required. You can enjoy traveling at a walking pace.

access

Opening period

From Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Admission fee

During the peak viewing period, the price is 630 yen (520 yen per person for groups of 20 or more)

From the time the flowers first start blooming until they are past their peak, the admission fee is 310 yen (for both individuals and groups)

Junior high school students and younger: Free

If you have a disability certificate, you and one caregiver can enter for free (please present your disability certificate or disability certificate app when entering the park)

Check out Tutsujigaoka Park

summary

This spring, why not enjoy the Azalea Festival in Tatebayashi, a place where you can "come, see, and eat" to your heart's content?
We look forward to seeing you.