Ashikaga Flower Park in late summer

I had the lucky opportunity to get out this past weekend due to my daughters' sport's day coinciding with a three day weekend. This meant that even though Saturday we had to go to school, the weekend was extended all the way to Tuesday and my friend who works at another elementary school in town also had some free time. He hasn't been in Japan for very long and he wanted to visit a few places he hasn't gotten a chance to. With careful planning and some smooth lining up of train times, we were actually able to cram everything in, including a small hike a visit to a favorite cafe and Ashikaga's famous flower park.

The hike and cafe I knew wouldn't let us down, but I was hesitant about going to the flower park. The end of summer and beginning of autumn can be the dreariest time for most gardens. There are fewer flowers blooming and the lingering heat can make being outside unpleasant. I know the flower park can be pretty pricy as well and I really wasn't sure if going would be worth it. My friend had missed his chance in the spring and summer, but winter with the illuminations it would be gorgeous enough to warrant a visit. We took the train out there just to check it out. It was muggy with the afternoon sun and not many people were around when we arrived. He still wanted to go in and I am glad we did.

The grounds were lovely even with the late summer weather.

Because it is out of season, the entrance fee was much cheaper. It is reduced from the 1800 yen during the peak season to a mere 500 yen. The throngs of people that crowd through the park during Golden week and winter illuminations were happily nonexistent on our afternoon stroll through the park. 

We started off by buying an ice cream for each of us. I love the wisteria flavor and not just because it is purple. It reminds me of my favorite candy my friend sends me from the UK. Eating flowers is cool. Especially when it is ice cream.

I suppose the most unfortunate bit was, of course, the lack of blossoms everywhere.

They even had a sign so you could compare with what you were missing.

There were a few gorgeous flowers here and there though.

You could tell that some parts of the park were under repairs. One of the ponds was even half drained, and the path around another place was blocked off. 

A bit of fun though was the Christmas decorations. Because the illuminations start next month, half of every was already set up.

Some of the lights were on as well.

It was nice to see them without a hundred people surrounding us.

But with the warm afternoon air, it felt a bit out of season.

There were a few sections of the park you could tell were intended for the coming fall. There were sage bushes everywhere and a small sage maze sprinkled with the blooming flowers. 

And as we made our way through the final part of the park, the absolute best reason to come to a flower park during this time of year became apparent. And my camera doesn't do it justice.

It is only during fall that you can catch this perfect sort of glow from the sunset. The angle at which the sun reflects low through the clouds gives everything thing that golden hue everyone thinks of when they think of fall. 

Then the sun had set and the moment had passed. 

I may or may not try and go back while it is still fall. If only so my son can enjoy this gorgeous grass we both fell in love with.

He literally shed some tears that he couldn't take it home.