When you arrive at Hachioji Station or almost all other Stations, you will find a flower shop nearby. Whether it is to treat yourself to a little color at home or to pick up a gift for a friend, there are always pretty flowers and potted plants to choose from.

A lovely aspect of living in the city is the neighborhood flower shop. As I sit here sharing with you, I can think of several little shops where you can stop and pick up a little piece of sunshine, even if it is raining.

The first thing I learned, about the flowers available here, is never buy a bouquet of chrysanthemums for your home or to gift to your friends. In America, yes in Japan, no. These beautiful flowers that we know to have lovely long-lasting blooms are used in Japan for funeral services, the alters, or cemetery urns. They are not considered favorable for the family dining table, etc.

There are large displays of fresh orchids to choose from which I understand are typically used at business openings, weddings, or very special occasions, etc. The size of the Orchid display was amazing and the care in the protection of the blooms.

One day, on my way home from the bus stop, I stopped at Nihon Flower Shop to inhale the sweet fragrance of flowers and see what was new for the day. As I leaned forward a man said, “Do you like the flowers?” (in English) What a lovely question to hear that day. Nobu, one of the owners told me he has been in the flower business for nineteen years. He knows English very well because he lived in Los Angeles for a while and was in the flower business there.

He gave me permission to ask him some questions. They receive a regular delivery of flowers Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. However, Orchids arrive Tuesday and Thursday. They are open 10 – 7 pm every day of the week. Every day is busy but the busiest is perhaps Saturday unless it is a special occasion, and then it is really crazy busy. They have a large customer base and do a lot of special arrangements.

I asked him if certain colors had special meanings, of course, red roses for Mothers Day and they sell many yellow roses for Fathers Day. We talked about the difference in the custom of the Chrysanthemum flower usage. He said that while in California it took him quite a while to get used to preparing that particular flower for personal arrangements.