Soleil Hill (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

It may be chilly out, but in Japan there is always a seasonal flower to admire. Right now, that happens to be canola flowers.

You can enjoy fields of these delicate yellow blooms at Soleil Hill, a beautiful European-style park about a 40-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base.

The site of the park was originally a housing and radio facility for the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces. Soleil Hill opened to the public as a park in 2005.

The ground spans 28 hectares and boasts of flower gardens, a Ferris wheel, a restaurant, a large athletic field, various glamping cottages and bungalows and a nice view spa. You can also BBQ year-round with rental grills and supplies available for a delicious lunch. They even have a dog run for fido. There is plenty to do at the park for the whole family!

Western-style farmhouses, fountains, shops and storage buildings, modeled after houses in South France, are scattered throughout the park.

Don’t miss a 300-meter-long zipline where you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Sagami Gulf over the western coast of Miura Peninsula.

Peak flower viewing season for the canola flowers lasts only a month, so, plan ahead to visit there soon!

Soleil Hill (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Canola Flowers (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)

Yokosuka Soleil Hill