Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi ()
Head to Soleil Hill, a beautiful European-style park, for a wonderful summer sight: over 30,000 sunflowers!
The park is only a short 40-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base and offers great views of the summer beauties and the stunning blue waters of the Sagami Gulf.
Soleil Hill was originally a housing and radio facility by the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces before it became a city park in 2005.
Beyond sunflowers and great ocean views, this 52-acre park is host to a restaurant and spa facilities. There is also a BBQ area where visitors can rent a grill set and supplies, perfect for a relaxing lunch.
Farm houses, wind mills and storage buildings modeled after houses in the south of France are scattered throughout the park.
Entry to the park is free, but attractions like the Ferris wheel, archery field, go-karts and more can be enjoyed for a small fee. A go-kart ride will set you back about 640 yen and will make you feel as though you’re maneuvering through the French countryside. Stop at Soleil Hill’s tiny zoo (320-yen admission) where friendly staffers let you touch and feed various animals, such as rabbits, kangaroos and donkeys.
The peak flower viewing season of the sunflowers lasts only a few weeks to late July. So, visit the park to check the shining gold flowers before they are gone!
Yokosuka Soleil Hill
Location: 4 Chome, Nagai, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (a 40-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Tel: 046-857-2500
