Have you always wanted to visit sunflower fields in Japan? Well, now is your chance to see some of the best places in Japan’s midwest and what each gorgeous field offers. Known as ‘himawari’ in Japanese, sunflowers bloom during the summer months of July and August. Visiting sunflower fields can be a great day trip from Osaka and other areas to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

With so much fun for all ages, Japan’s sunflower fields offer visitors the chance to enjoy nature’s beauty, snap some gorgeous photos, and even get a bite to eat, too! Join us as we travel around Japan’s midwest to see the prettiest sunflower fields and give you all of the need-to-know details!

*Flower blooming periods may change depending upon the year.

*Event dates, times, and details may change depending on the circumstances.

1. Nanko Sunflower Field (Hyogo): An entire scene buried in yellow!

Located in the town of Sayo on the western edge of Hyogo Prefecture, the Nanko Sunflower Field can be found between 2-6 kilometers on foot from Harima-Tokusa Station, which is reachable from JR Himeji Station.

Between mid-July to early August, several sunflower fields planted in succession will bloom and paint the town in enchanting shades of yellow.

Each year, the local farmers diligently cultivate their collection of sunflowers, which take about 60 days to grow large to bloom from mid-July successively.

For 2024’s iteration, there are plans to grow sunflowers across four districts, which will bloom during the Himawari Festival between July 13 and July 28.

There are also plans to hold a “World Sunflower Garden” and “Sunflower Maze.” Check out the official website for the latest event information and blooming reports.

Nanko Sunflower Field 南光ひまわり畑

Address: Around the Nanko Sports Park area, Hayashisaki, Sayo, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5212

Nearest Station: 20-minute walk from Harima-Tokusa Station on the JR Kishin Line (Nanko Sports Park)

• TEL: 0790-82-2521 (Sayo Commerce and Tourism Division/Weekdays 8:30 AM–5:15 PM)

• Hours: 8:30 AM–5 PM

• Admission: 200 yen, elementary school children and younger 100 yen

• Closed: Open daily during the event period.

Sayo City Website

2. Ono City Sunflower Hill Park (Hyogo): A city of sunflowers in Japan

The Sunflower Hill Park is located west of Kobe City alongside National Route 175. Reachable after a 35-minute bus ride from Ono Station, late July will see the park transformed into an assortment of roughly 380,000 hybrid sunflowers.

Visitors can take photos from benches in the middle of these gorgeous sunflower fields in Japan, yielding incredible, Instagram-worthy photos. Those who visit within a week after peak bloom will be given their own sunflower to take home.

Of course, you can also bring your own scissors and cut down a sunflower of your choice (check the official website for details).

The park also boasts the huge “Wanpaku Square” playground, along with shops and restaurants offering local goods.

Sunflower Hill Park ひまわりの丘公園

Address: 1545-321 Kiyotanicho, Ono-shi, Hyogo 675-1317

Nearest Station: Take the “Ranran Bus” from Ono Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Line. Get off at “Himawari no Oka (Sunflower Hill Park).”

• TEL: 0794-62-1147 (Sunflower Hill Park Center Management Office)

• Hours: 8:30 AM–8 PM (*Park Center open until 5 PM)

• Admission: Free

• Closed: Open daily

Sunflower Hill Park Official Homepage

3. Awaji Farm Park England Hill (Hyogo): Brimming with sunflower events!

Located in Minamiawaji City on the south of Awaji Island, Awaji Farm Park England Hill can be accessed after a 65-minute bus ride from Sannomiya.

The expansive park offers seasonal vegetable picking, petting zoos, and other activities allowing visitors to get in touch with nature.

Between mid-July to late August, the park farm holds the “England Hill Sunflower Daisakusen” festival, which sees over 100,000 hybrid sunflowers envelop the park in a charming elegance.

The main sunflower field, which hosts a collection of 50,000 flowers, is expected to come into full bloom during mid-August.

With a heart made of sunflowers, swing benches, balloon releases, soap bubble events, and other great photo opportunities aplenty, guests of all ages are bound to have a great time here!

Awaji Farm Park England Hill 淡路ファームパーク イングランドの丘

Address: 1401 Yagiyogikami, Minamiawaji-shi, Hyogo 656-0443

Nearest Station: Take an express bus from JR Osaka Station or JR Sannomiya Station and change at the Sumoto Bus Center for the transit bus heading for Fukura. Disembark at “England no Oka.”

Phone Number: 0799-43-2626

• Hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM–5 PM, Weekends and Public Holidays 9:30 AM–5:30 PM (changes seasonally)

• Admission: Adults - 1,200 yen, 4 years - Junior high school - 400 yen

• Closed: Tuesdays (Subject to change, see official website for more information)

Awaji Farm Park England Hill Homepage

4. Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park (Hyogo): Seasonal flowers and fun activities!

Located in the northern district of Awaji Island, the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park can be reached from Sannomiya after a 45-minute bus ride.

The spacious park bursts with elegant seasonal flowers and luscious greenery, with summer enjoying 15,000 sunflowers of 12 different varieties.

Our recommended sightseeing spots are the “Rainbow on the Earth South Flower Bed,” “Poplar Hill,” and the “Utsuroi Garden.” From mid-July, sunflower varieties such as the “sunrich sunflower” will bloom, followed in succession by other types until mid-August.

The park is packed with fun activities for those with kids in tow, including the sprawling “Yumekko Land” playground and the “Forest of Children.”

The “Yume Hacchi-go” tram-car also links the Higashiura Gate and Awaji Gate, which runs on an ever-changing course showcasing seasonal flower highlights (300 yen for an all-day ticket).

Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park 淡路島国営明石海峡公園

Address: 8-10 Yumebutai, Awaji-shi, Hyogo 656-2306

Nearest Station: Take the West Japan JR Bus or Honshi Kaikyo Bus (Oiso-go) from the Sannomiya Bus Terminal at JR Sannomiya Station. Get off at “Yumebutai Mae” and walk 3 minutes. Or get off at “Seirei Awaji Byoin Mae” and walk 5 minutes

Phone Number: 0799-72-2000

• Hours: 9:30 AM–5 PM (July 1–August 31: until 6 PM, November 1–March 31: until 4 PM, ticket sales close one hour before)

• Closed: Mon-Fri during the second week of February, New Year’s

• Admission: Adults (15+) - 450 yen, Silver (65 years and older) 210 yen, Elementary school or younger - Free

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park Official Homepage

5. Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill (Osaka): Get up close with animals and plants!

A 20-minute bus ride from Izumigaoka Station, Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill is a farm/park allowing interactive experiences with animals and nature.

The numerous flower beds boast stunning seasonal flowers all year round, with sunflowers taking over a 3,000m² space between early to mid-August, including the “sunrich orange” variety, blooming in a magnificent display.

As this stunning sunflower field in Japan sits on an incline, skilled photographers will be able to capture pictures totally engulfed by sunflowers.

The park also presents Instagram photo contests, sunflower-based gourmet menus, and an assortment of hands-on experiences at the “Himawari Summer Festa.” The latest event details and flower information can be found on the official homepage.

Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill 堺・緑のミュージアム　ハーベストの丘

Address: 2405-1 Hachigamineji, Minami-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka 590-0125

Nearest Station: Board the Nankai Rosen Bus heading to “Harvest no Oka (Harvest Hill)“ from the Izumigaoka Station Bus Terminal Number 6 Stop. Disembark after roughly 20 minutes.

Phone Number: 072-296-9911

• Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM (park entry until 4 PM)

• Admission: Adults - 1,500 yen, 4 years old - elementary school - 1,000 yen

• Closed: The park will be closed on the following dates in spring/summer 2024: May 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17; September 4, 11, 18; November 13, 20, 27; December 4, 10-12, 18, 31.

Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill Official Homepage

6. 1st Nagisa Park (Shiga): A sunflower hotspot near Lake Biwa

Located on the shoreline of Moriyama on the eastern side of Lake Biwa, 1st Nagisa Park can be reached after a 40-minute bus ride from Moriyama Station.

The captivating charm of this beloved viewing spot was officially recognized in Japan’s Top 100 Shorelines - a beauty that rapidly intensifies between mid to late July as the park’s striking sunflowers enter full bloom!

Covering an area of 4,000m², over 12,000 sunflowers smother the land in a radiant yellow, forming a breathtaking contrast against the backgrounds of Lake Biwa and the Hira Mountains.

With plenty of trails perfect for walking or cycling, plus the stunning winter rapeseed blossoms of January and February, 1st Nagisa Park is well-worth visiting any time of year!

(*If the car park is full, please use the Misaki Park car park instead.)

1st Nagisa Park 第1なぎさ公園

Address: Imahamacho, Moriyama-shi, Shiga 524-0101

Nearest Station: Take the Ohmi Railway Bus from Moriyama Station heading to the Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel. Disembark at “Daiichi Nagisa Koen.”

• TEL: 077-582-1266 (Moriyama Tourism and Products Association, 9 AM–5 PM)

• Hours: All day

• Admission: Free

• Closed: Open daily

Moriyama Tourism Association Official Homepage

7. Shiga Farm Park Hill of Blume: A slice of Germany!

Hill of Blume is a farm/park modeled on a traditional German farming community from the middle ages. Offering exciting hands-on farming experiences, the park can be reached after a 50-minute bus ride and a 10-minute walk from JR Omihachiman Station.

Peaking between mid-July and late August, the park’s main sunflower field sees over 50,000 flowers!

You can capture some exciting European-inspired photography by venturing inside the flower fields and taking a shot framed by German houses - no one would ever guess you’re in Japan!

In addition to the main flower field, other flowerbeds accommodate eight varieties of sunflowers, equally worth checking out.

The “Himawari Festa” sunflower festival will also light up the park with a sunflower-inspired food menu and vegetable-picking experiences. With loads of shops, restaurants, athletic tracks, and play equipment, there’s easily a day’s worth of fun to be had here!

The Shiga Farm Park: Hill of Blume 滋賀農業公園ブルーメの丘

Address: 843 Nishioji, Hino-cho, Gamo-gun, Shiga 529-1628

Nearest Station: Take the Ohmi Bus heading for the Kitabataguchi Bus Stop from the south exit of JR Omihachiman Station. After 50 minutes, get off at Habanocho and walk for 10 minutes.

Phone Number: 0748-52-2611

• Hours: March–November: 10 AM–5 PM (weekends/public holidays from 9:30 AM), December–February: Closed on weekdays

• Admission: Adults (junior high and above) - 1,500 yen, Children (4 years old–elementary) - 800 yen, Infants (under 3) - Free

• Closed: Wednesdays during March–November (open if public holiday, following Thursday is closed instead), Wednesdays and Thursdays during December–February (open if public holiday, following Friday is closed instead)

The Shiga Farm Park: Hill of Blume Official Homepage

8. Umami Kyuryo Park (Nara): A relaxing space surrounded by history!

Umami Kyuryo Park is situated in the hilly region straddling the towns of Koryo and Kawai of Nara Prefecture.

Located on the Umami “Kofun” ancient burial mounds, the park center presents intriguing videos and dioramas exploring this fascinating old tradition.

The park is full of stunning flowers throughout the year, with sunflowers peaking during early August. Typically, 6 areas of the park will be allocated to over 150,000 sunflowers of 25 different varieties alongside hibiscus, crape myrtle, and other summer flowers.

Visitors are free to enter most of the flower fields, allowing fantastic photography!

The park will celebrate its sunflower season with the “Umami Himawari Week” from the end of July to the beginning of August, the details of which will be updated on the official website.

Nara Prefectural Umami Kyuryo Park 奈良県営馬見丘陵公園

Address: 2202 Samita, Kawai-cho, Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara 636-0062

Nearest Station: Take the Nara Kotsu Bus from Goido Station heading to Umami Kyuryo Koen. Get off after roughly 16 minutes at the final stop.

• TEL: 0745-56-3851 (Nara Prefecture Chuwa Park Office)

• Hours: All day (Park Center: 9 AM–5 PM, entrance until 4:30 PM)

• Admission: Free

• Closed: Open daily (Park Center closed on Mondays, following day if Monday is a public holiday, and during the New Year period)

Nara Prefectural Umami Kyuryo Park Official Homepage

9. Aito Marguerite Station: A gorgeous roadside sunflower field!

Located alongside National Highway 307 in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, the Aito Marguerite Roadside Station offers drivers a fantastic collection of facilities and attractions exhibiting the area’s prosperous nature.

This includes locally picked seasonal fruits and vegetables, flower-arrangement classes, gardening shops, restaurants, and more! You can get here via a 20-minute bus ride from Yokaichi Station on the Ohmi Railway.

The roadside station’s Sunflower Garden opens between late June and mid-August and will present a breathtaking assortment of over 8,000 blooming hybrid sunflowers over an 8,000m² plot. You can even pick some to take home.

The station also boasts rapeseed blossoms in April, cosmos in September, autumn sunflowers in October/November, and many more, making it a year-round haven for flower lovers!

Aito Marguerite Station 道の駅あいとうマーガレットステーション

Address: 184-1 Imotocho, Higashiomi-Shi, Shiga 527-0162

Nearest Station: Ride for 20 minutes on the Chokotto Bus (Aito) from Yokaichi Station on the Ohmi Railway. Disembark at Marguerite Station or at Aito Shisho.

Phone Number: 0749-46-1110

• Hours: 9 AM–5 PM (may change depending on the facility)

• Admission: Free

• Closed: Tuesdays, December 31st - January 1st

Aito Marguerite Roadside Station Official Homepage

10. Ayabe Fureai Ranch: Farmland sunflowers!

Allowing visitors to get up close with rabbits, goats, and other animals, the Ayabe Fureai Ranch can be accessed after a 10-minute drive from Ayabe Station.

During days with nice weather, the farm’s goats and sheep are allowed to roam free and interact with visitors, while feline fanatics can play with adorable cats at the cat ranch!

The ranch’s peak sunflower season is from approximately July 20 until August 5, whereby 50,000 radiant sunflowers bloom over a 4,000m² plot of farmland.

As many are planted on the farm’s steep hills, you’ll be able to see from afar an endless field totally covered by sunflowers shining against the blue sky.

At the farm’s restaurant, “Heidi’s Kitchen,” visitors can feast on a menu of yakiniku complemented by soft-serve ice cream made from the rich milk of Jersey cattle. You can also enjoy your own BBQ at one of the on-site cottages (reservation required).

Ayabe Fureai Ranch 綾部ふれあい牧場

Address: 81 Hinokuma, Iden-cho, Ayabe-shi, Kyoto 623-0221

Nearest Station: 10-minute taxi ride from JR Ayabe Station

Phone Number: 0773-48-1000

• Hours: 10 AM–5 PM

• Admission: Free

• Closed: Tuesdays

Ayabe Fureai Ranch Official Blog

Frolicking amongst the gigantic sunflower fields in Japan is one of summer’s purest joys! If you find yourself in Kansai this July or August, take the time to visit a sunflower field to allow yourself a touch of pristine nature and a break from stressful life.

As the sunflower period is considerably short, make sure to check online for the latest information before making any plans!

*All prices are including tax

*Event dates, times, and details are subject to change

*This article was originally published in May 2021 and updated in June 2024. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

Via Live Japan

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