Best Flower Farms to Visit in Japan – A Seasonal Travel Guide

Farm Tomita (Hokkaido)
Perhaps Japan’s most famous lavender destination, Farm Tomita is a summer icon. The fields turn a rich purple in early to mid-July, with “rainbow fields” mixing multiple blooms for an artist’s palette effect. Visitors can explore greenhouses, sip lavender ice cream in the cafés, and enjoy sweeping views from observation decks.

Shikisai Hill (Biei, Hokkaido)
Spanning 15 hectares, Shikisai Hill is a rolling patchwork of seasonal flowers—from tulips and lavender to cosmos—spreading across the hillside from late April to October. Tractor and buggy rides offer a leisurely way to take in the scenery.

Himawari no Sato (Hokkaido)
In mid-July to mid-August, this area erupts into a sea of two million sunflowers. Along with the bright blooms, visitors can wander through sunflower mazes, ride tractor buses, and join in festival activities.

Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki)
This park is a master of seasonal transformations. In mid-April to early May, hills are blanketed in delicate blue nemophila, while earlier in the year golden daffodils shine. Summer brings bright kochia that gradually turn scarlet in autumn.

Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi)
Open year-round, Ashikaga Flower Park’s highlight is the wisteria season from mid-April to mid-May. Vast trellises and tunnels of cascading blooms create an enchanting pastel canopy, especially striking when illuminated at night.

Hitsujiyama Park (Chichibu, Saitama)
From mid-April to early May, “Pink Moss Hill” bursts into color with vivid pink, purple, and white moss phlox, forming a floral carpet that attracts photographers and families alike. The park also has a playground and grazing sheep for added charm.

Echigo Hillside Park (Niigata)
A must for tulip and rose lovers, this park displays 160,000 tulips in 83 varieties and a rose garden featuring 800 types across 2,400 bushes, making for an unforgettable stroll in spring and early summer.

Michinoku Hydrangea Garden (Iwate)
Set within a cedar forest, this peaceful garden boasts more than 40,000 hydrangeas of 400 varieties. From late June to late July, trails lead to the famous Hydrangea Pond, where petals drift like confetti on the water’s surface.

Mt. Tokusenjo Azalea Forest (Miyagi)
Each May, over half a million azalea bushes cover this mountain in brilliant shades of magenta and red. The flowers contrast beautifully with the Pacific Ocean views in the distance.

Regional Floral Highlights
In Kyoto, Yume Cosmos Garden dazzles in October with eight million cosmos blooms swaying in the autumn breeze. Also in Kyoto, Anaoji Temple becomes a crimson wonderland each September when red spider lilies bloom. Down in Yamaguchi, the Kasayama Camellia Groves feature 25,000 camellias in February and March, framed by ocean views along a walking trail. For a more serene experience, the Yoshika and Shiroyama Iris Gardens in Yamaguchi offer pondside boardwalks surrounded by over 100,000 irises in early to mid-June.

Travel Tips and Seasonal Advice
Timing is key: lavender is best in Hokkaido’s summer, wisteria and nemophila in spring, cosmos in the autumn months south of Tokyo, and hydrangeas and azaleas in early summer. Many of these farms are accessible by train, such as Farm Tomita and Shikisai Hill via the JR Furano Line. Several sites host annual festivals that combine the blooms with food stalls, music, and cultural events. For photography, early morning or golden hour offers the best light and fewer crowds. Some locations, like Mt. Tokusenjo, may require reservations or have seasonal access restrictions, so checking ahead is wise. Pairing a flower visit with nearby attractions—such as Biei’s Blue Pond after Shikisai Hill, or coastal walks after Hitachi Seaside Park—can make the trip even more rewarding.

Sample Itinerary Ideas
For a summer escape in Hokkaido, combine Farm Tomita, Shikisai Hill, and Himawari no Sato. In spring, a round trip from Tokyo could include Hitachi Seaside Park and Ashikaga Flower Park. In the Tohoku region, chase blooms at Michinoku Hydrangea Garden and Mt. Tokusenjo Azalea Forest. For autumn in Kansai, Yume Cosmos Garden and Anaoji Temple make a perfect pair.