5 Million Red Spider Lilies at Kinchakuda

Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Saitama hosts five million red spider lilies every September. This spectacular floral display offers unique opportunities for photographers to capture a crimson carpet under a forest canopy. Located near Koma Station, it is a premier spot for flower photography but far from Tokyo, which made me grateful for having a lightweight camera system.

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Red spider lilies at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park bloom under a blue sky with a visitor by a wooden fence.

Imagine a forest floor covered in five million red spider lilies. That was the incredible promise of Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Saitama, a spectacle I had to photograph in September 2022. But getting the shot meant embarking on an adventure. It involved a two-hour train ride and navigating a sea of people that rivaled the number of flowers.

Macro shot of a red spider lily bloom, highlighting its long, delicate stamens against a soft floral bokeh.

Finding the red spider lilies

My desire to visit was triggered by a previous trip to photograph red spider lilies at Nogawa Park. I was so impressed by that experience that I went online searching for an even grander display. That’s how I discovered the incredible claim of five million plants at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park. The journey would take two hours, the farthest I’d traveled in recent memory. But it gave me the chance to ride a train line I’d never used before, something I always enjoy.

Let me tell you about that journey. It started like every other train trip, most innocently. But things changed for the worse the closer I got to my destination! Why? I went on a Sunday, and it seemed like every man, woman, and child in Tokyo had joined me. The Seibu Chichibu Line was standing-room only for the entire two-hour trip. I was most thankful for my Fujifilm gear. People often talk about how heavy full-frame cameras are, but the smaller, lighter X-Series system was a huge relief to carry during a long, uncomfortable journey.

A massive field of red spider lilies at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park with visitors walking among the blooms.

Handling the Kinchakuda crowds

Finally, we arrived at Koma Station, which was so small it didn’t even have a restroom. You had to go out the gates to find them. And the line of people to use them? That extended back about fifty meters. I guess they get used most during the red spider lily festival!

Close-up of a red spider lily at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park with a bokeh background of red blooms and distant visitors.

We then had a fifteen-minute walk to Kinchakuda Manjushage Park. The route twisted and turned. I didn’t have to use my phone’s map app. The huge crowd led the way. As far as I could see, it was a sea of people in every direction.

After paying the entrance fee at the gate, I joined the crowd inside. The paths were so crowded. When I took photos, I had to wait and wait. I took photos when the number of people in each frame was minimal.

Dappled light falls on a sea of red spider lilies beneath a green canopy, with crowds gathered in the distance.

And the claim for five million spider lilies? It was accurate! The forest floor was red. Lilies covered them like a blanket in many areas.

It was a good day of flower photography, but not a great one. The crowd was far too big for that. I couldn’t find a rhythm. It was a learning experience, so I didn’t leave disappointed. I got some reasonable photos.

A field of red spider lilies glowing in patches of sunlight under a dark forest canopy.

How to get to Kinchakuda Park

Address: 14-3 Komahongo, Hidaka, Saitama
Closest train station: Koma Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line
For more information, consult the official Kinchakuda website.
Here is the park on Google Maps:

Practical tips for your visit

Take a zoom lens. The best, untrampled flowers are further from the packed walkways. A longer lens is essential to isolate them.
Pack a flash. The forest creates dramatic patches of light and shadow. A flash will help you properly expose the lilies in darker areas.
Go on a weekday. My Sunday trip was a battle with crowds. Avoid weekends and public holidays to avoid the crowds and find your rhythm.
Plan your meals. Koma is a small station with few options. There is a 7-Eleven near the park for essentials, but for a proper meal, research restaurants in advance.

Was the Kinchakuda trip worth it?

Despite the two-hour train ride and the overwhelming crowds, for a dedicated photographer, the answer is yes. The sheer scale of five million lilies creating a carpet of red is a sight to behold. Go on a weekday, go prepared, and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable photography experience. I know I’ll be back to improve my technique. That sea of red is a challenge worth revisiting.