TONAMI TULIP FAIR 2018 - JAPAN

 

The Entrance
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Welcome to the annual Tonami tulip fair in Japan. It was such a blessing for me, really. I went to Kanazawa not for this and really didn't know anything that there was an annual tulip fair held in japan. Ok guys, Have you ever heard about this Tonami tulip fair before? Well i might sure you are curious about my story then. 

Tonami is a city in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Taking place in the Tonami Tulip Park, the fair lasts for two weeks in late April and early May. The fair itself showcases hundreds or even millions tulips of all colors and varieties. Then why Tonami not Kyoto or Kanazawa or any other place in Japan? the answer is because Tonami has a tulip history dating back to 1918 when cultivation of the flower first began in this area. The annual tulip fair itself is held to celebrate Tonami's floral endeavors and as an homage to the tulip in general. 

Tulip Tower
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We can go up to the tulip tower to see the beauty of all tulips from above. It was fascinating but unfortunately crowded. The fair is comprised of various areas that include several large flowerbeds with a plethora of colorful tulips that can be viewed from various elevated platforms (including a tulip-shaped observation tower), a picturesque pond on which flowerbeds float, a corner that showcases the hundreds of different tulip varieties accompanied by explanations (in Japanese). 

Variants of Tulip
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The Locals
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White tulip labirin
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I was lucky enough to see Sakura trees bloomed. Sakura blooms in late March - Mid April. There were some variants of Sakura too. Many people don't know how to differentiate between the Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossoms) and Ume (Plum Blossoms). The sakura (cherry blossoms) and ume (plum/Japanese apricot) blooms the brightest in Japan during this time. The beauty of both flowers are truly mesmerizing that tourists are usually having a hard time from identifying which is which as both has almost identical features.  Unfortunaley there were no Plum blossoms, so i can't show you how it's look like. 

The Sakura
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Under the Sakura tree
iphone 6s

A Grandma with her grand children
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How to get there anyway? The best way to get there is from Toyama or Kanazawa. From Kanazawa central station take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takaoka station or Shin-Takaoka (it only takes approx. 15 minutes). Then from Takaoka station take JR Johanna Line to Tonami station. From Tonami station take a free shuttle bus to the venue or you can walk anyway (it only 1 km).

From Toyama Central station take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takaoka station or Shin-Takaoka station (faster from Kanazawa because it only takes approx. 8 minutes). All trains are covered by JR Pass. Otherwise you can take a bus straight to Tonami station from Kanazawa or Toyama central station. 

The stepping stone
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All photos belongs to Devina Rachmawati. Some are edited, some are original (without editing). Curious about more photos, may take a look at my ig at devinarachmawati