Shiga Fukujuso Festival

Every year around mid-March, spring’s arrival is announced by a dainty, daisy-like flower called fukujuso, which is the first wildflower to bloom in the area.　In English, fukujuso (Adonis amurensis) is sometimes called amur adonis or amur peasant’s eye. It is a yellow gem that is often found in woodland habitats and pops its head up even through the snow.

The event is in a small welcoming country community who host it and provide a warmed heated shed like hall in the fields, selling noodles, food and local goods and produce. The visit involves a walk over damp fields and maybe some remaining snow.

This is recommended to those staying in Matsumoto a little longer.

While you are there also visit the Shiga Fossil Museum a major feature of the village. Famously, an ancient whale was unearthed in the area which is rich in fossils. If you are into fossils and such, it is a worthwhile.

Access

Take the Shiga Line bus from Matsumoto Bus Terminal (it runs infrequently, so make sure you check the schedule) to the the Kasekikan (Shiga Fossil Museum) Bus Stop. It’s a 10-minute walk from there. (You can see the bus schedule here, but it’s only available in Japanese. Weekend hours differ.)