Lupines and Delphiniums in Full Bloom (Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park)
Approximately 100,000 lupines at Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park reached their peak bloom on April 22, and about 4,000 delphiniums began blooming on April 29. The park anticipates the flower scenery will be at its best during Golden Week.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 00:49 (14h 18m after Collected)
At the "Komorebi Flower Garden" in the Park and Garden Arboretum of Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park, approximately 100,000 lupines reached their peak bloom on April 22. The blooming period is as usual for the year and is expected to continue until around May 17, with the most spectacular flower scenery visible during Golden Week. Lupines, also known as "Noborifuji" (climbing wisteria) due to their unique flower shape resembling an inverted wisteria, create an enchanting and fantastical flower landscape, as if you've wandered into a fairy tale world, with their faint sweet fragrance enveloping the area and purple, pink, and white flower spikes rising under the dappled sunlight.
Similarly, in the Park and Garden Arboretum, approximately 4,000 delphiniums began blooming about 5 days earlier than usual, from April 29. The peak viewing is expected to last until mid-May. Delphiniums, also called the "epitome of blue flowers," are characterized by their jewel-like vivid colors. The deep, rich blues, translucent light blues, and elegant white and purple flowers, befitting their flower meanings of "clarity" and "nobility," present a dignified appearance. Their swaying forms in the refreshing early summer breeze create a cool and refreshing flower landscape that envelops the entire area.
Photographed on April 22, 2026
*The peak blooming period may vary depending on the weather.
Enchanting and fantastical flower field: Lupines
Lupines belong to the genus Lupinus in the legume family, and are annual plants native to North America (sometimes perennial in cold regions). They grow to about 20-150 cm tall, with small butterfly-like flowers clustered in a tower shape, emitting a faint sweet fragrance. *The 'Festival' variety planted in this park grows to about 30-60 cm. Because their wisteria-like flowers bloom upwards, they are also known as "Noborifuji" (climbing wisteria), "Tachifuji" (standing wisteria), or "Sakasafuji" (inverted wisteria). Their Japanese name, "Hauchiwamame" (feather fan bean), comes from the shape of their leaves resembling a tengu's fan.
Lupines and the connection to Arsène Lupin, the phantom thief
Lupines and the world-famous "Arsène Lupin, the phantom thief" share a small connection through their names. The French spelling for lupine is "Lupin," which is exactly the same as the phantom thief Lupin's name. In Maurice Leblanc's novel "The Teeth of the Tiger," the retired Lupin is depicted filling his entire garden with lupine flowers, named after himself. This flower is also said to "enhance imagination" since ancient times. The flowers, sharing the same name (spelling) as the elusive phantom thief, create an enchanting and fantastical flower landscape that captivates viewers.
Best viewing period
Around April 22 to May 17
Number of varieties
1 variety (Festival)
Number of plants
Approx. 100,000
Location
Komorebi Flower Garden (approx. 15 minutes from Central Gate)
Planting area
Approx. 2,000㎡
Planting method
Seedlings (mid-November)
Delphiniums, the epitome of blue flowers
Delphiniums belong to the genus Delphinium in the buttercup family, and are perennial plants native to Europe, North America, and mainland China (treated as annuals in Japan). The main variety planted in this park grows to about 100-150 cm tall, with countless flowers blooming densely on thick, straight stems.
Their flower meanings include "clarity" and "generosity." Blue and light blue signify "I will make you happy" and "magnificent heart," white signifies "lovely eyes," and purple signifies "nobility." While varying by color, all are positive and refreshing meanings.
Origin of the name: "Creatures of the sea and sky"
The name Delphinium originates from the Greek word "delphis," meaning dolphin, due to the shape of its buds resembling a dolphin. Its Japanese name, "Ohienso" (large swallow grass), comes from the shape of its flowers reminiscent of flying swallows.
Thus, the dynamic sculptural beauty of delphiniums, with buds likened to dolphins swimming in the sea and flowers to swallows soaring in the sky, may be why they have been cherished since ancient times.
Best viewing period
April 29 to mid-May
Number of varieties
10 varieties (including New Millennium)
Number of plants
Approx. 4,000
Location
Park and Garden Arboretum
Planting area
Approx. 400㎡
Planting method
Seedlings (late November, early April)
Overview of Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park
Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park is the first national park in Japan, opened as part of a commemorative project to honor the great achievements of the Meiji era, utilizing a location that retains the vestiges of Musashino. The nation established it as a fitting tribute to the Meiji Centennial to secure a place where urban residents, losing touch with nature, could regain their humanity through greenery.
The park, boasting an area equivalent to 65 Tokyo Domes, features numerous play equipment where families can enjoy active play, such as Japan's largest air trampoline "Ponpoko Mountain" and athletic courses. Additionally, the Urban Greenery Botanical Garden offers seasonal landscapes, trees, and flowers for enjoyment.
Similarly, in the Park and Garden Arboretum, approximately 4,000 delphiniums began blooming about 5 days earlier than usual, from April 29. The peak viewing is expected to last until mid-May. Delphiniums, also called the "epitome of blue flowers," are characterized by their jewel-like vivid colors. The deep, rich blues, translucent light blues, and elegant white and purple flowers, befitting their flower meanings of "clarity" and "nobility," present a dignified appearance. Their swaying forms in the refreshing early summer breeze create a cool and refreshing flower landscape that envelops the entire area.
Photographed on April 22, 2026
*The peak blooming period may vary depending on the weather.
Enchanting and fantastical flower field: Lupines
Lupines belong to the genus Lupinus in the legume family, and are annual plants native to North America (sometimes perennial in cold regions). They grow to about 20-150 cm tall, with small butterfly-like flowers clustered in a tower shape, emitting a faint sweet fragrance. *The 'Festival' variety planted in this park grows to about 30-60 cm. Because their wisteria-like flowers bloom upwards, they are also known as "Noborifuji" (climbing wisteria), "Tachifuji" (standing wisteria), or "Sakasafuji" (inverted wisteria). Their Japanese name, "Hauchiwamame" (feather fan bean), comes from the shape of their leaves resembling a tengu's fan.
Lupines and the connection to Arsène Lupin, the phantom thief
Lupines and the world-famous "Arsène Lupin, the phantom thief" share a small connection through their names. The French spelling for lupine is "Lupin," which is exactly the same as the phantom thief Lupin's name. In Maurice Leblanc's novel "The Teeth of the Tiger," the retired Lupin is depicted filling his entire garden with lupine flowers, named after himself. This flower is also said to "enhance imagination" since ancient times. The flowers, sharing the same name (spelling) as the elusive phantom thief, create an enchanting and fantastical flower landscape that captivates viewers.
Best viewing period
Around April 22 to May 17
Number of varieties
1 variety (Festival)
Number of plants
Approx. 100,000
Location
Komorebi Flower Garden (approx. 15 minutes from Central Gate)
Planting area
Approx. 2,000㎡
Planting method
Seedlings (mid-November)
Delphiniums, the epitome of blue flowers
Delphiniums belong to the genus Delphinium in the buttercup family, and are perennial plants native to Europe, North America, and mainland China (treated as annuals in Japan). The main variety planted in this park grows to about 100-150 cm tall, with countless flowers blooming densely on thick, straight stems.
Their flower meanings include "clarity" and "generosity." Blue and light blue signify "I will make you happy" and "magnificent heart," white signifies "lovely eyes," and purple signifies "nobility." While varying by color, all are positive and refreshing meanings.
Origin of the name: "Creatures of the sea and sky"
The name Delphinium originates from the Greek word "delphis," meaning dolphin, due to the shape of its buds resembling a dolphin. Its Japanese name, "Ohienso" (large swallow grass), comes from the shape of its flowers reminiscent of flying swallows.
Thus, the dynamic sculptural beauty of delphiniums, with buds likened to dolphins swimming in the sea and flowers to swallows soaring in the sky, may be why they have been cherished since ancient times.
Best viewing period
April 29 to mid-May
Number of varieties
10 varieties (including New Millennium)
Number of plants
Approx. 4,000
Location
Park and Garden Arboretum
Planting area
Approx. 400㎡
Planting method
Seedlings (late November, early April)
Overview of Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park
Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park is the first national park in Japan, opened as part of a commemorative project to honor the great achievements of the Meiji era, utilizing a location that retains the vestiges of Musashino. The nation established it as a fitting tribute to the Meiji Centennial to secure a place where urban residents, losing touch with nature, could regain their humanity through greenery.
The park, boasting an area equivalent to 65 Tokyo Domes, features numerous play equipment where families can enjoy active play, such as Japan's largest air trampoline "Ponpoko Mountain" and athletic courses. Additionally, the Urban Greenery Botanical Garden offers seasonal landscapes, trees, and flowers for enjoyment.