Yahiko Chrysanthemum Festival (Niigata Prefectural Chrysanthemum Exhibition)

Held in the precincts of Yahiko Shrine, the first-ranked shrine of old Echigo province, this exhibition runs from November 1 to 24 every year — fixed dates that make it easy to plan around, and a fixture of autumn in Niigata. Growers from across the prefecture and beyond enter work they have tended for a full year, and the show is reckoned the largest in Japan by number of exhibitors and categories. Sections range from ozaki large chrysanthemums trained to bear hundreds of blooms from a single plant, to classical medium varieties, cascading kengai forms and chrysanthemum bonsai, giving a complete view of the craft. Its most famous feature is the great landscape flowerbed, built from 30,000 small chrysanthemums to a different theme each year. The finest entry receives the Prince Tomohito Award.