Shintomi Town in Japan is proof of the power of beautiful flowers to make someone smile and even change their outlook on life. Here, a sea of scented pink flowers called shibazakura, or moss phlox has now become a popular tourist spot but it started as a beautiful love story.

After 30 years of marriage, at the age of 52, Mrs Kuroki developed a complication from diabetes, causing her eyesight to fail just a week later. Suddenly faced with blindness, she was devastated and shut herself away from the world, refusing to leave home.

When her husband one day noticed a fragrant pink flower in the garden he realised his wife could still enjoy their beauty, not through sight but through smell. He decided to create a garden with a mass of flowers in the hope that they might renew his wife's sense of joy in life.

It's been over 10 years now since the first seeds were planted and the beautiful flower garden now draws thousands of sightseers. Mr and Mrs Kuroki can often be seen walking happily together around the garden of scented flowers, talking with their visitors.

While common sense tells us that receiving flowers can trigger happy emotions, this true love story from Japan shows that the effect of flowers on our sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction may be far greater than we believed.

If you’re looking to buy flowers online for a special loved one or friend, check out the range available at Arrange Floral Design, Papamoa’s no. 1 florist.