When summer comes, sunflowers, which are annual plants of the Asteraceae family, can be seen not only at tourist spots but also in the streets of Japan. The characteristic of sunflowers is that they stretch their stems towards the sun and bloom large flowers. It is said that some can grow up to about 3m in height.
This time, we have carefully selected 7 spots where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of sunflowers, which are sure to make a splash on social media. Please make sure to visit during the best season.
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Best Season and Places to See Sunflowers in Japan
Generally, sunflowers start to bloom gradually from around July, and it is said that they reach their best viewing period towards the end of August. Whether you can see them in the same way in any region during this period, or when is the best season for each region, we will explain in detail.
When is the sunflower season in Japan?
Sunflowers, which come into their prime in July and August, the height of summer in Japan, are celebrated with festivals and events at scenic spots across the country, attracting many tourists. Just like cherry blossoms and nemophila, the blooming period shifts from south to north, so there are places in Hokkaido where you can see sunflowers from September to October. Recently, as the heat continues until September throughout Japan, it is not uncommon to find places where sunflowers are still blooming in September.
Where can you see sunflowers in Japan?
Sunflowers, which can be seen all over Japan, often thrive in sunny locations, facing the sun. Among many plants that are not fond of direct sunlight, sunflowers grow in height by basking in plenty of sunlight, blooming large flowers.
1. The Palette Hill | Hokkaido Prefecture
The Pallet Hill, located about 30 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport. It is famous for being able to capture airplanes and sunflower fields in the same camera shot. Since it is not operated as a tourist spot, there are no events, but on the other hand, it can be viewed all year round, all day long.
The sight of the setting sun in a field of sunflowers is breathtakingly beautiful. It's a scene unique to Hokkaido, where vast lands spread out.
The sunflowers planted on a vast site for field fertilization are very good as a drive course, and the fact that they can be viewed regardless of the season is a happy point.
- Address ：Hokkaido Chitose City Hoaka
- Business hours：Open all year round, all day
- Best viewing time：Late September to mid-October
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2. Koriyama Nunobiki Kaze no Kogen | Fukushima Prefecture
Koriyama Nunobiki Kaze no Kogen is located about 90 minutes by car from JR Tohoku Shinkansen Koriyama Station and about 60 minutes by car from Banetsu Expressway Bandai Atami IC. It is a highland at an altitude of about 1,000m located south of Lake Inawashiro, offering a superb location where you can overlook Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro. Underneath the 33 giant wind turbines, which are one of the largest wind power plants in Japan, sunflowers bloom in the summer.
The charm is also that the background of the wind turbines changes to Lake Inawashiro or the sky depending on the viewing location and angle. In the summer, sunflowers bloom in profusion, and the area is bustling with tourists strolling along the walking course while looking at the flowers and wind turbines. When visiting Koriyama Nubori Kaze no Kogen, it is recommended to check the blooming situation in advance.
- Address: Horsehead Field, Akatsu, Konan Town, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00～17:00
- Best viewing period: Mid-August to early September
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3. Akeno Sunflower Field | Yamanashi Prefecture
The Akeno Sunflower Field, which spans about 4 hectares, boasts about 1 million double-flowered sunflowers. At the Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival, stage live performances, food and drink booths, and a cut flower garden where you can take flowers home are set up every year. Please check the website, which is updated from time to time, for details.
This year, the festival is scheduled to be held from August 24 (Saturday) to September 1 (Sunday), 2024, so please check the blooming status in advance before you go.
- Address ：5664 Asao, Akeno Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Business hours：8:00-17:00
- Best viewing period：Late July to late August
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4. Lake Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park | Yamanashi Prefecture
Lake Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park is a vast park with an area of about 30 hectares. From early to late August, about 120,000 sunflowers bloom against the backdrop of the magnificent Mount Fuji. This sight is famous as a spot for social media, and it attracts many tourists during the best viewing period. The park is divided into a free "flower field/farm area" and a paid "clear stream village", and it's nice that you can see the sunflower field for free.
In Lake Yamanakako Hana no Miyako Park, where tulips and nemophila bloom in spring, sunflowers and zinnias in summer, and cosmos and marigolds in autumn, the best time to see sunflowers is from early to late August.
- Address: 1650 Yamanaka, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00 to 16:30 *Closed on Tuesdays
- Best viewing period: Early to late August
5. Shima City Tourist Farm | Mie Prefecture
Shima City Tourist Farm opens according to the blooming season of seasonal flowers such as cosmos, nemophila, sunflowers, and kokia. Be sure to check the opening period on the homepage or similar before visiting. You can enjoy colorful flowers on a gentle slope.
There are many photo spots that are perfect for social media, such as Doraemon's "Anywhere Door", and the view of tall sunflowers that you can't usually see is breathtaking.
In 2023, about 100,000 plants were planted on a 3,000 square meter slope, and multiple photo spots with gimmicks for taking pictures were prepared. The scale is increasing year by year, and it's an amazing cost performance as adults can enter for 300 yen and junior high school students and under can enter for free.
- Address ：Isobecho Anagawa, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
- Business hours：9:00～17:00 ※Opens according to the blooming season of seasonal flowers
- Best viewing period：Mid-July to late August
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6. Himawari no Oka Park | Hyogo Prefecture
Himawari no Oka Park, where 700,000 people visit annually, boasts a "carpet of flowers" with 400,000 sunflowers in summer and 4 million cosmos in autumn. The park is free to enter and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In the park, there is a symbol tower called "Sunflower Tower" made of Mikage stone. The "Wanpaku Square" is filled with seasonal flower beds and large playground equipment, and is filled with smiles from families with children to elderly couples. There are also a multipurpose square, a playable fountain, and "Sanpatio Ono" and "Product Hall Aust" where special products of Ono are gathered. It is a popular park where you can relax and play surrounded by greenery and flowers.
- Address: 1545-321 Jotani-cho, Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Business hours: 8:30 to 17:00
- Best viewing period: Late July to mid-August
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7. Gyogasaki Park | Nagasaki Prefecture
Located in the western part of Nagasaki Prefecture and close to Sasebo, Saikai National Park. Gyogasaki Park, where you can overlook the islands and the sea, including the Ninety-nine Islands, is also known as a famous spot for sunset. In spring, about 4 million rape blossoms come into full bloom, and it is crowded with tourists taking pictures with the sea in the background. After the rape blossoms are over, hydrangeas, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in autumn change their appearance, and colorful flowers bloom in full glory.
In summer, about 100,000 sunflowers bloom all at once, creating a photogenic scene that looks like a vibrant yellow carpet spread out against the backdrop of the blue sea. The area bustles with tourists during the peak season.
- Address: Kishuku, Kishuku-machi, Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture
- Business hours: 9:00-17:00
- Best viewing period: Mid-July to mid-August
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Let's go see the sunflower fields in Japan!
So far, we have introduced recommended sunflower fields from all over Japan. There are facilities that open according to the blooming season and those that are open all year round, so it is essential to check their websites in advance before visiting. Each blooming area has its own unique way of enjoying, so why not find the best season for each and visit?
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