The official name for "manjushage" (red spider lilies), which often feature in Japanese anime, is actually "higanbana". With delicate petals and vivid colors, they create a mystical, out-of-this-world scene when blooming in clusters. This article introduces Kinchakuda in Saitama Prefecture, the place to go to enjoy views of Manjushage, and restaurants near major stations to enjoy when visiting Kinchakuda by train.
What Are Manjushage?
Breathtaking Views at Kinchakuda - A Popular Spot for Manjushage
Kinchakuda Manjushage Park, which is located along the banks of the Koma River, boasts 5 million manjushage flowers that cover an area of about 3 hectares in a blanket of red, creating an otherworldly scenery.
Every year, when the flowers are in bloom, the Kinchakuda Manjushage Festival is also held.
[Festival Information]
Dates and Time: September 16–October 1, 2023, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Entrance Fee: 500 JPY (during the Manjushage season only)
Access: approx. 45 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line Limited Express and approx. 7 minutes from Hanno Station to Koma Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro/Chichibu Line. Alternatively, at Hanno Station, visitors can take the Kokusai Kogyo Bus bound for Komagawa Station and Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, alight at Kinchakuda, and walk 3 minutes.
It is a beautiful Japanese-style structure built during the latter half of the 19th century and has beautiful white walls that create a lovely scene together with the surrounding stone walls.
Instagrammable Location Near Kinchakuda - Tove Jansson Akebono Children's Forest Park
The park is lit up from sunset to 9:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, creating a mystical evening landscape that differs from the daytime.
Recommended Restaurants Near Major Transit Stations
Here are some recommended restaurants near Ikebukuro Station and Shinjuku Station that are convenient to stop by when visiting Kinchakuda Manjushage Park.
Ampuku Ikebukuro (Ikebukuro / Izakaya)
Ampuku Ikebukuro is the place to try a wide range of unique udon noodles created by an imaginative mind. There are about 30 different types of udon prepared using ingredients procured from across the country.
Of them, the curry idon and Signature Carbonara Udon (1,400 JPY) are highly recommended. There are a variety of curry udon with rich flavors, including the Three Cheese Beef Curry Udon and Beef Sinew Black Curry Udon.
The popular Signature Carbonara Udon features a lavish carbonara sauce that is prepared with a Japanese dashi stock base with the added richness of cheese and cream. It is a lovely dish to discover the flavors of carbonara in a style different from Italian pasta.
The warm lighting and monotone interior together create a comfortable space.
Ampuku Ikebukuro
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,800 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Five minute walk from JR, Tokyo Metro, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, & Tobu-Tojo Line Ikebukuro Station West Exit
Address: JP Bldg. 1F, 1-37-8 Nishi Ikebukuro , Toshima-ku, Tokyo Map
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KIBORI Hokkaido Restaurant UMI (Shinjuku / Izakaya)
Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's main islands, is known for its grand nature and beautiful sea, and KIBORI Hokkaido Restaurant UMI is a restaurant that is built around the fabulous seafood that Hokkaido has to offer.
Carefully selected seafood such as sea urchins, oysters, scallops, and "ikura" (salmon roe) are procured directly from the morning market in Hakodate, Hokkaido, to ensure freshness.
They can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways, such as the Hakodate Morning Market Fresh Fish of the Day Sashimi Platter (5 pieces for 1,880 JPY) and the Whole Grilled Squid (500 JPY).
The Seafood Oyako Roll (800 JPY) is a rolled sushi of salmon topped with vibrant ikura. It's a beautiful dish that can be enjoyed by the eyes as well!
It is filled with the warmth of wood despite being in the center of a city.
KIBORI Hokkaido Restaurant
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: Next to Don Quixote, located in the building which has Komeda Coffee in its 2nd floor
Address: 6/7F, Ceresa Yoei Shinjuku Bldg., 1-16-3, Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
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Kushikatsu and Wine Restaurant Tou (Shinjuku / Japanese)
"Kushikatsu" are popular casual dishes in Japan consisting of skewers of a variety of ingredients, such as beef, vegetables, and seafood, encased in batter and deep fried. However, the kushikatsu served at Kushikatsu and Wine Restaurant Tou is a notch above the ordinary. The restaurant serves sophisticated kushikatsu created by the veteran owner-chef to be enjoyed together with wine.
The extensive wine menu is also popular. Guests can taste rare wines at reasonable prices as they are imported by the restaurant itself.
There is a wide selection of kushikatsu available, and the best way to try the creative kushikatsu made with carefully selected seafood and vegetables is to order one of the courses, such as the Assorted 15 Skewers Course (9,916 JPY).
There is table seating, but when sitting at the large counter, guests can have views of the chef frying the kushikatsu.
Kushikatsu and Wine Restaurant Tou
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 13,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: More 5th Avenue, 3 minutes walk from East Exit Plaza of Shinjuku Station on JR Yamanote Line
Address: 2F, Shimada Bldg., 3-20-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
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