If you’re based at Sasebo Naval Base, then Tenkaiho Park is a place you’ll want to visit soon. Over 150,000 cosmos are in bloom there now offering a rolling landscape of purple hues contrasted by the surrounding bay.

This park is about a 20-minute drive from Sasebo, and from here visitors are rewarded with a panoramic view of Kujukushima (99 islands), a well-known tourist attraction where 208 islands are packed within a 15-mile area. Tenkaiho is one of the eight observation spots for around Sasebo City for different glimpses at the countless green islands and beautiful blue sea.

Tomoko Tanaka of Stars and Stripes Sasebo Office visited the park recently and suggested visitors go at dusk, as the park faces west and the sunset from here is magnificent. The park has parking on-site from Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, there is a temporary parking lot in front of the Kujuuku District Community Center with shuttle buses in operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 1.

Grab your walking shoes and head to the park for some blossom viewing, fresh air and a look at the impressive surrounding landcape of Tenkaiho Park!

Tenkaiho

Location: 399 Shimofunakoshicho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture (a 20-minute drive from Sasebo Naval Base)

URL: (Japanese) https://tanoshi-nagasaki.jp/tenmaihou-cosmos

Tel: 0956-22-660