In Japan, since the opening of Yokohama port in 1859, many western cultural goods and plants have been introduced from overseas. Western roses were among them, and it is believed that many western roses first arrived in Japan via Yokohama port shortly after this port opened.”
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Yokohama Port was a major hub for the export of lilies and bulbs as the main export items next to silk and green tea. Through these trade routes, roses from Europe and America were imported and began to be cultivated in the gardens of the foreign settlements in Yokohama city. Eventually, such roses were spread to Japanese gardeners and growers, laying the foundation for modern rose-gardening in Japan.
Minato-no-Mieru Oka Park (Harbor View Park), that is renowned as the most famous rose-garden of Yokohama city, is also known as the site where British and French troops were stationed after the opening of Yokohama Port. Later, the site of the former French Consulate was incorporated into the park as “French Hill,” and the former residence of the British Consul General was opened to the public as the “British House.”
Yokohama has evolved from a mere import port into a center of rose culture. In 1989, the rose was designated as the official flower of Yokohama city. Currently, Japan is not a large-scale cut flower exporter like the Netherlands or Kenya. However, rose varieties bred in Japan are highly regarded overseas.
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