While spring is growing in Aomori, the northernmost area of mainland Japan, colza flowers are in full bloom near Misawa Air Base. Walking through the spacious colza field of Shizen-en Park will brighten your day.

Over the past weekend, Yokohama Town in Aomori held Nanohana (colza flower) Festival.

Besides a fantastic vista of countless colza flowers spreading as far as you can see in the field, visitors enjoyed various live performances, bingo, a race through the flower field, as well as food and game booths.

“Walking among the huge colza flower field made me feel as if I were proceeding on a gorgeous castle carpet,” says Yoshihito Morita, an employee of Misawa Base Commissary who visited the flower festival. “A single-hued eye-catching bright yellow reminds me of happiness and refreshing feelings much more than other flower gardens with various colors.”

Although the festival is over, the yellow flowers can be enjoyed until late May, and a gigantic maze (215 meters by 30 meters) laid out in the flower field is available until May 18.

The festival site, Shizen-en Park is about a one-hour drive from Misawa Air Base!

Nanohama (colza flower) field in Yokohama Town, Aomori Pref.

• Location: Space next to “Shizen-en” Natural Park (98-64 Omameta, Yokohama Town, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture)

• URL

• Tel: 0175-78-2111 (Yokohama Town Hall)

Misawa Air Base

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