COLUMN
Apr. 04 2024
Hokkaido, the preferred destination for snow views, is also one of Japan’s prime spots for flower viewing. From May to August each year, Hokkaido experiences its coolest and most pleasant weather, showcasing various blooming flowers. Among them, the vast flower fields are the most characteristic feature of Hokkaido and the most sought-after by travelers. Different representative species bloom in succession throughout this short summer season, creating a vast and colorful landscape.
This time, we are focusing on the theme of “flower fields,” taking you on a journey to explore these vast northern lands. From May to August, which representative species and flower fields can be found from late spring to midsummer? Follow our footsteps and let’s explore these flower field destinations together!
With 200 varieties of tulips neatly arranged, Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park located on the northeast side of Hokkaido is one of the best spots for late spring flower viewing! As spring progresses, tulip buds begin to grow, and once the temperature exceeds the crucial “20℃,” they bloom beautifully together. Here, you’ll see a variety of blooming flowers, realizing that tulips come in so many different types—red, yellow, purple, almost rivaling the famous colorful flower fields of Biei.
【Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park】
Location: 358-1 Kamifurano, Yubetsu-cho, Monbetsu-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 15 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station
Best Season: Early May to early June
Website: https://shibazakura.net/
・
Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park, located on the outskirts of Ozora-cho near Abashiri, is covered with pink, purple, and white shibazakura (moss phlox), decorating the northern land beautifully during spring. The panoramic view here is breathtaking, as the shibazakura covers the hillsides. Additionally, there’s a pink torii gate standing amidst the shibazakura flower field, a must-visit spot for photography!
【Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park】
Location: 393 Moseushi, Ozora-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 30 minutes by car from JR Abashiri Station; free shuttle buses operate during the flowering season between the park and Higashimokoto Bus Stop
Best Season: Mid-May to early June
Website: https://shibazakura.net/
・
A popular early summer flower viewing spot near Niseko, Mishima-san’s Shibazakura Garden is a private garden cared for by Mr. Mishima. On clear sunny days, the colors are vibrant, attracting many locals to drive here or nearby residents to cycle and capture the beautiful scenery. Early June coincides with the peak blooming period of yellow canola flowers, creating a mesmerizing view when combined with the distant Mt. Yotei.
【Mr.Mishima’s Shibazakura Garden】
Location: 51 Asahi, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kutchan Station
Best Season: Late May to early June
Website: https://www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp/tourism/midokoro/shibazakura/mishimasan/
・
Located in Takikawa City in the Hokkaido Kitaku region between Asahikawa and Sapporo, the Takikawa Nanohana Fields have been cultivating Nanohana (rapeseed) flowers and related agricultural products for about 30 years, developing into Japan’s largest rapeseed flower production area. Nanohana flowers bloom during the busy rice planting season, coinciding with the fact that the Kitaku region is also the largest rice-producing area in Hokkaido. Therefore, around the yellow rapeseed flower fields, there are always lush green rice paddies, creating a striking and fresh color contrast!
【Takikawa Nanohana Fields】
Location: Scattered around the hillsides of Ebetsu in Takikawa City
Transportation: About 10 minutes on foot from JR Ebeotsu Station to the hillside area
Best Season: Mid-May to early June
Website: https://www.takikawa-nanohana.com/english/
・
Located in the suburbs of Sapporo, Yurigahara Park is known for its cultivation of 100 varieties of lilies. Blooming in early summer every year, the flowering period lasts for two and a half months. Besides the familiar yellow flowers, rare orange-red and even purple lilies can also be seen. In addition to walking, it’s recommended to take a ride on the park’s “Lily Train” and leisurely explore this beautiful Sapporo backyard.
【Yurigahara Park】
Location: 210 Yuri-no-hama Park, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 7 minutes on foot from JR Yuri-no-hama Station
Best Season: Late June to early August
Website: https://yuri-park.jp/
・
Located in Kamifurano-cho, about 10 kilometers east of Tomita Farm, Lavender East is Japan’s largest lavender field. Surrounded by rural farmland, the lavender planted here is mainly used as raw material for lavender products. Positioned within the Furano Basin, it offers a broad view of the magnificent Tokachi mountain range to the east and the Furano Nishidake and Rubetsudake mountains to the south. It’s open for visitation only in July, and after August, all the lavender in the park will be harvested for processing.
【Lavender East】
Location: North 16 East 6 Line, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 15 minutes by car from JR Nakafurano Station
Best Season: Open only in July
Website: https://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/east/
・
Located near Asahikawa, Hokuryu Town is the place with the most sunflowers planted in Japan. Initially, during the Showa era, agricultural association members noticed the economic value of sunflowers beyond their beauty during their study trips to Europe. Therefore, they promoted a movement where each household cultivated sunflowers, evolving into a major local feature. During peak summer, over 1.5 million sunflowers bloom together each year! It’s highly recommended to wander into the sunflower fields while enjoying sunflower ice cream, a unique local delicacy.
【Hokuryu Sunflower Village】
Location: 143-2 Itayama, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: 1 hour drive from downtown Asah
Best Season: Late July to early August
Website: https://portal.hokuryu.info/sunflower/
・
Situated in Biei, Shikisai-no-Oka boasts not only lavender but also dozens of other flowers such as cosmos, marigolds, and morning glories, arranged by color on the slopes of Biei. Starting from June with tulips, followed by lavender in July and asters in August, the entire hill is covered like a rainbow carpet, impressively vast and breathtaking!
【Shikisai-no-Oka】
Location: Shinsei 3rd, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Transportation: About 25 minutes on foot from JR Biei Station
Best Season: Late June to late August
Website: https://www.shikisainooka.jp/en/
NEXT RECOMMEND
Oct. 092018
Nov. 162018
Let's enjoy Hokkaido
LATEST
Oct. 31 2024