While spring is flourishing on Japan’s mainland, you’ll notice different flowers taking center stage throughout the most refreshing season of the year.

Sera Kogen is a short two-hour drive from MCAS Iwakuni and is home to four huge flower farms growing moss phlox, nemophila, roses and wisteria.

Flower Village Kamu no Sato reopened for hydrangea and hollyhock blossoms on June 7, so make plans to enjoy the colorful beauties.

At Sky Flowerbed Hana no Mori you can enjoy 7,200 roses of different varieties year-round. The farm’s Rose Festival runs until the end of June and offers rose-themed experiences, foods, goods and more.

Walk through the spacious farms where colorful flowers spread as far as the eye can see and enter this springtime dreamland.

After you’ve enjoyed the local blossoms, make a stop for a delicious lunch or early dinner at Ramen Café Pig Bone. This ramen shop offers some tasty noodles to make your trip to the area complete.

Yasuhiro Muneno of Stars and Stripes Iwakuni Office recommends the ramen lunch set made up of ramen noodles with pig bone broth, karaage fried chicken, salad, steamed rice and pickles for 1,180 yen ($8).

“The thin but well-springy noodles of ramen paired well with the rich and savory pig-bone broth,” Muneno said. “The karaage is very crispy and juicy and that goes well with the hot broth with rich flavor. It is a nice lunch set to sample before or after exploring vast flower fields.”

Make plans for a fun, quick trip for flowers and a side of ramen.

Sky Flowerbed Hana no Mori

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Location: 1405 Tobarisoraguchi, Sera-cho, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Pref.

• URL

• Tel: 0847-29-0122

Sera Fuji-en Wisteria Park

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Location: 1124-11 Bessako, Sera Town, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Pref.

• URL

• Tel: 0847-22-0020

Ramen Café Pig Bone

• Hours: Thu – Tue, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 3 – 10:30 p.m.

• Location: 1012-3 Hongo, Sera Town, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Pref.

• Instagram

• Tel: 0847-22-0981

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

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