Sunflower Season: 5 Splendid Himawari Gardens in the Tokyo Area

Japan is home to beautiful fields of sunflowers come late summer—and some of them aren’t too far from home! Read on to find out which gardens you want to be first in line for as the sunflowers blossom.

As the rainy season comes to a close in Japan, several things emerge along with the scorching sun: cicadas, peaches and, of course, sunflowers! If you’re in and around the Tokyo area, check out the gardens below which offer a dazzling display of these flowers from late July throughout all of August. 

Showa Memorial Park

© Photo by Showa Memorial Park

Tachikawa City’s Showa Memorial Park is a glorious green space that belies its convenient location within the metropolitan area. While the park has a myriad of summer activities from barbecuing to robotics that take place there, their sunflowers, which bloom from late July to mid-August, have long been held in high esteem. On the west side of the park, there are two flower gardens in which to see sunflowers. There are many varieties of the flower to be viewed and you can even get up close to them for sunny photo ops via small pathways into the sunflower fields. The mini Sunfinity type is always popular, as are hybrid sunflowers whose height can surpass even the tallest humans. For an extra flower reward, this park also has a lovely collection of dahlias that bloom at the same time as the sunflowers.

• Hours: Open every day, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Address: 3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo
• Price: High school students and adults (¥450); Seniors (¥210); Junior high school students and younger (free)
• Access: Take the JR Chuo Line and get off at Tachikawa Station. From there, transfer to the Ome Line and stop at Nishi-Tachikawa Station where the park is a short walk away.

Musashi Murayama Sunflower Garden

© Photo by iStock: zu-kuni

This aptly named Sunflower Garden has the most sunflower blooms in Tokyo with hundreds of thousands available for viewing when in full bloom. Among the tall stocks that dominate the space, you’ll find several varieties to seek out. Big Smiles are relatively short in height, standing up to 50 centimeters at their tallest and are characterized by their bright yellow petals surrounding a black center. Clarets can grow to 150-180 centimeters in height and are distinctive for their striking red wine-colored petals. Named after the famed painting by Claude Monet, the Monet hybrid sunflower variety comes in several colors such as reds, yellows, roses, creams and pastels, and mimic a watercolor work of art. Drop by this garden through to the middle of August for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

• Hours: Open every day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Address: 1460, Midorigaoka, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo
• Price: Free!
• Access: Take the Tama Monorail and get off at Kamikitadai Station. The park is about ten minutes away on foot. 

Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park (Saitama)

© Photo by Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park

Opened in 1974 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Meiji government, Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park features many types of terrain and activities for the whole family to enjoy. In addition to the recreational facilities and walking and cycling courses, the park has large gardens showcasing seasonal flowers. During the summer months, visitors can check out the 3,500 square meter tract reserved for 5,000 sunflowers. Unlike many other sunflower varieties, the Sunfinities grown here are a hybrid species that can bloom all season long and have multiple stems which provide several blooms per plant.

• Hours: Open every day, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Address: 1920 Yamata, Namegawa, Hiki District, Saitama
• Price: High school students and adults (¥450); Seniors (¥210); Junior high school students and younger: free of charge 
• Access: From Ikebukuro Station, take the Tobu Tojo Line and get off at Shinrin-Koen Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. Take a taxi or a direct bus to the park from the North Exit.

Akebo no Yama Agricultural Park (Chiba)

© Photo by iStock: akikana99

This beautiful park is a well-known flower viewing spot all year round, owing to its wide array of seasonal blossoms, like spring tulips and fall cosmos. From mid-July to late August, its fields explode in golden petals as the nearly 800 sunflowers burst into bloom against the blue sky. Perhaps the most famous Instagram photographs of this park are featuring its large sunflowers juxtaposed with its famous windmill in the background for a picturesque summertime shot. While here, you can also enjoy a children’s pool, water misters, water slides, photo spots and a photo contest during the late summer.

• Hours: Open every day except Mondays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Address: 2005-2 Fuse, Kashiwa City, Chiba
• Price: Free!
• Access: From JR Ueno Station, take the Joban Rapid Line and get off at JR Abiko Station. Go through the North Exit and hop on the Bando Bus which takes you to the park. 

Zama City Sunflower Field (Kanagawa)

© Photo by iStock: onosan

The furthest out on our list, but not to be missed, is Kanagawa’s Zama City Sunflower Field. Boasting 550,000 blooms in mid-August, this sunflower paradise is home to a Himawari Matsuri (Sunflower Festival) which runs between August 11 and 14th, 2023. The seemingly endless expanse of sunflowers contrasting against the blue summer sky is both a great photo opportunity and a wonderful respite from the city. There are often farmers selling fresh vegetables there, as well as refreshments during the festival to make your time in the sunshine more comfortable. Why not make it a weekend trip and catch these beauties at their prime?

• Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Address: Shindenjuku, Zama-shi, Kanagawa
• Price: Free!
• Access: Take the Odakyu Odawara Line and get off at Soubudai-mae Station. Take a bus directly to the festival.

Whether you are new to Japan’s seasonal bounty of blossoms or taking your first foray into the flower fields, these sunflower gardens and parks will certainly brighten your summer holidays.