Flower choices for Mother's Day in Japan

When I first moved to Japan, one of the unexpected joys (and challenges!) was navigating new traditions around gift-giving. If you're anything like many of the City-Cost bloggers, you may have moved here for love, meaning you now have a Japanese mother-in-law to think about when May rolls around. Maybe you’re also a parent yourself and want to treat the mother of your child(ren!) to something special. Either way, flowers are a beautiful and universally appreciated gift, but if you want to get it just right in Japan, it helps to know what’s trending.

This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 11th, and as always, flowers will be one of the most popular ways to say thank you. According to a recent survey by hahanohi.me, red carnations once again top the charts, chosen by 34% of shoppers. Red carnations traditionally symbolize deep love and respect, making them a perfect, safe choice for a Japanese mother-in-law (or any mom, really). Pink carnations, which convey affection and gratitude, came in second at 28%.

If you want to branch out a little, preserved flowers have surged in popularity, taking third place this year. These treated blooms can last for months (or even years) with no maintenance.

Roses (especially pink and red) also remain a classic option, while hydrangeas (once a solid second-place favorite) have slipped in the rankings but are still popular for their long-lasting blooms through the rainy season.

For a quick snapshot, here’s how the 2025 rankings shaped up:

1. Carnation (red)

2. Carnation (pink)

3. Preserved flowers

4. Rose

5. Carnation (other colors)

6. Hydrangea

7. Orchid

8. Sunflower

9. Sakura (cherry blossoms)

Do you have anyone you'll be purchasing flowers for on Mother's Day here in Japan? Do you order flowers for anyone back home?