Discover Japan's Most Beautiful Sunflower Fields

Sunflower blooming periods

As the quintessential summer flower, sunflowers thrive in warm temperatures and abundant sunlight, which is why they mostly bloom from July to September. However, due to variations in planting times and regional temperature differences across Japan, some locations still see blooming sunflowers well into October.

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Hokkaido Prefecture: Hokuryu Sunflower Village

Hokuryu in Hokkaido is a small village with a population of about 1,700. Every summer, around 2 million sunflowers bloom on its hillsides, creating a spectacular scene that attracts flocks of tourists.

Every year from late July to late August, Hokuryu will host its Sunflower Festival. It's best to visit on a sunny morning when the east-facing sunflowers appear even more radiant.

Hokuryu Sunflower Village
Address: 143-2 Itaya, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 27-min bus ride from JR Takikawa Station to Hokuryu Yakuba Mae bus stop, from there it's a 16-min walk
Official website: https://portal.hokuryu.info/sunflower/ (in Japanese only)

Fukushima Prefecture: Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field

The Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field in Fukushima Prefecture is a seasonal attraction that transforms from a ski resort in winter to a canola flower field in spring, and finally to a sunflower field from early August to early September.

With approximately 2.5 million sunflowers, it is the largest in Japan’s northern Tohoku Region. The field’s rolling hills offer stunning views, and it features a "Bell of Happiness" that visitors can ring to make wishes.

Sannokura Plateau Sunflower Field
Address: 857-6 Kita-Gongenmoriko, Aita, Atsushiokano-machi, Kitakata-shi, Fukushima Prefecture
Access: 30-min taxi ride from JR Kitakata Station
Official website: https://fukushima.travel/destination/sannokura-plateau-sunflower-field/148

Get to JR Kitakata Station with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area,) which allows unlimited travel on JR trains and shinkansen for five consecutive days.

Ibaraki Prefecture: Akeno Sunflower Field

The Akeno Sunflower Festival in Ibaraki Prefecture will be held from August 24 to September 1, 2024. The spectacle features about one million yae sunflowers, a relatively rare variety. Unlike common sunflowers with brown centers, yae sunflowers are almost entirely golden yellow, making them particularly striking. Since the flowers bloom until early September, it's a perfect opportunity to enjoy the last days of summer.

Akeno Sunflower Festival
Address: 279-1 Miyama, Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture
Access: 15-min drive from JR Shimodate Station
Official website: http://www.chikuseikanko.jp/index.php?code=18 (in Japanese only)

Kanagawa Prefecture: Zama Sunflower Field

The Zama Sunflower Field in Kanagawa Prefecture hosts a seasonal flower-viewing event every mid-August, featuring around 550,000 blooming sunflowers under the blue sky. Head up to the elevated observation decks within the field, and get treated to panoramic views of a sea of sunflowers from a higher vantage point.

Zama Sunflower Field
Address: Zama area and Yotsuya area around Zakaibashi, Zama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: During the Sunflower Festival: Take the special shuttle bus from Sobudaimae Station (Odakyu Line) to the Himawari Hana Matsuri Kaijo bus stop
Non-festival period: 20-min walk from JR Sobudai-shita Station or Iriya Station
Official website: https://www.zama-kankou.jp/event/20220613_2-copy-copy.html (in Japanese only)

Yamanashi Prefecture: Hokuto Akeno Sunflower Field

The Hokuto Akeno Sunflower Festival is one of the most renowned events of Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture, held from late July to late August each year. The festival has two venues: the main venue with around 250,000 sunflowers and the rural park venue with about 150,000 sunflowers. Among them are the Hybrid Sunflower variety that reach about 150 centimeters in height.

Hokuto Akeno Sunflower Festival
Addresses:
Main Venue: 5664 Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Rural Park Venue: 13811 Uwate, Akeno-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access (main venue): 24-min bus ride from JR Nirasaki Station to Akeno Tsumitori-en bus stop
Official website: https://www.city.hokuto.yamanashi.jp/docs/sunflowerfes.html (in Japanese only)

Hyogo Prefecture: Nanko Sunflower Field

In Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture, beautiful sunflowers bloom from mid to late July. Alongside the sunflower season, the local government organizes various activities like concerts, food stalls, and sake tastings.

The Nanko Sunflower Festival in Sayo Town will take place from July 13-20, 2024, featuring different activities each day.

Nanko Sunflower Festival
Address: 839 Hayasaki, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo Prefecture (near Nanko Sports Park)
Access: 30-min walk from JR Hamatama-Tokusa Station
Official website: https://www.town.sayo.lg.jp/cms-sypher/www/info/detail.jsp?id=3614

Hyogo Prefecture: Sunflower Hill Park (Himawari-no-oka Park)

Sunflower Hill Park (Himawari-no-oka Park) is a spacious place ideal for family outings. It features around 400,000 sunflowers blooming from mid to late July, followed by cosmos flowers in the fall. Families can capture beautiful memories among the sunflowers. Kids will love the park's large playground facilities while parents can picnic nearby, offering a relaxing trip for everyone.

Sunflower Hill Park (Himawari-no-oka Park)
Address: 1545-321 Jyogaya-cho, Ono-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
Access: 25-min Ranran Bus ride from Ono Station (Kobe Dentetsu line) to Himawari-no-oka bus stop
Official website: https://ono-navi.jp/langs/en/

Opt for the convenient Kansai Wide Area Pass for unlimited rides on the Kansai-Airport Express Haruka, as well as local trains from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, and Nara, and on JR West buses. Additionally, the pass includes a one-day subway ticket for the Kyoto Municipal Subway, the Keihan Electric Railway, and Hankyu Railway.

Hiroshima Prefecture: Sera Kogen Farm

Sera Kogen Farm in Hiroshima Prefecture, offers different flowers blooming throughout the year. It features a summer water play area and large playground facilities for children. Visitors can also enjoy shopping for freshly harvested vegetables and local specialties at the farm store.

The Sunflower Garden at Sera Kogen Farm is open from July 27 to August 25, 2024, showcasing around 60 different varieties of sunflowers, including classic golden ones and rare varieties like white sunflowers.

Sera Kogen Farm
Address: 1124-11 Bessako, Sera-cho, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: 50-min bus ride from JR Mihara Station to Koyama Eigyousho bus stop, from there it's a 15-min drive
Official website: https://sera.ne.jp/en/sk/sunflower/

If you're planning a trip to the Kansai Region, consider purchasing the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Rail Pass. You can explore Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Tottori, and more within five days, making your journey more fulfilling and cost-effective.

Fukuoka Prefecture: Yanagawa Sunflower Garden

Yanagawa Sunflower Garden in Fukuoka Prefecture has gained great popularity for its illuminated sunflowers at night. Sunflowers, typically associated with blue skies and white clouds, take on a mysterious beauty in the darkness.

Yanagawa Sunflower Garden
Address: 389 Hashimoto-machi, Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture
Access: 20-min drive from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/yanagawa.himawari/ (Facebook, in Japanese only)

Stay at a hotel near a sunflower field

Some sunflower fields are located in remote areas, so it's recommended to choose nearby accommodations to avoid spending too much time on transportation after enjoying the flowers.

For example, Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen is located next to the Hokuryu Sunflower Village in Hokkaido. After flower viewing, relax at the hotel or explore the nearby rest areas.

Another great option is Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa, which is about a 20-minute drive from the Hokuto Akeno Sunflower Festival venue.

The bright yellow sunflowers under the blue sky and sunshine are many people's ideal image of midsummer. Make the most of your summer trip to Japan by seeking out the most beautiful sunflower fields and creating your own radiant memories.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.