Now Reports

Sunflowers are currently blooming in numerous locations around and near Fukuoka City. The team at Fukuoka Now has compiled information on ten remarkable spots to appreciate these stunning blooms. The optimal visiting period ranges from early summer to autumn and differs per location. Therefore, it’s recommended to review the official websites or social media platforms for each spot before planning your visit.

Sunflower Viewing Spots near Fukuoka
• Fukuoka City (1)
• Yanagawa City, Fukuoka (1)
• Oto-machi, Tagawa, Fukuoka (1)
• Chikuzen-machi, Asakura, Fukuoka (1)
• Asakura City, Fukuoka (1)
• Omuta City, Fukuoka (1)
• Saga Prefecture (2)
• Oita Prefecture (1)
• Nagasaki Prefecture (1)

Nokonoshima Island Park

Just a 10-minute ferry ride from Meinohama, Nokonoshima Island Park becomes a spectacle of 50,000 sunflowers in bloom right after the marigold season. To extend the viewing period for visitors, the park holds off on harvesting the sunflower seeds. What’s more, you can even cut your own sunflower in full bloom as a souvenir. It’s suggested to place your souvenir in an empty bottle of Nokonoshima cider for the journey home! Please remember to bring your own container, as well as gloves for handling the sunflower cutting. While you’ll need to provide your own gloves and container, the park does offer scissor rentals for the sunflower cutting activity.

• Best time to view: Late Jul. ~ late Aug.
• Approx. 50,000 flowers across 7,000 m2
• Sunflower picking: 7/22 (Sat.) ~ 8/20 (Sun.) *finishes when all flowers for picking are gone.
• Opening hours: Mon. ~ Sat.: 9:00~17:30, Sun. and hol.: 9:00~18:30
• Closed: Never
• Entry fee: Adult: ¥1,200, ES & JHS: ¥600, 3 y.o. & below: ¥400
• Parking available: Meinohama ferry terminal (¥510 / day) 347 spaces
• Nokonoshima Island Park, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• Ride the ferry from Meinohama Ferry Terminal to Nokonoshima (approx. 10 min.), then catch the bus from Nokonoshima Ferry Terminal heading to “Island Park” (approx. 15 min). Get off at the last stop.
• http://nokonoshima.com/en/
• https://www.instagram.com/nokoipark/

Yanagawa Sunflower Garden

Every year, vibrant yellow sunflowers adorn the Yanagawa Sunflower Garden. Sprawling over five hectares of reclaimed land that faces the Ariake Sea, the garden offers a stunning view. The beauty of these flowers is also showcased in a different way at night, when they are beautifully illuminated from sunset until 21:00. To accommodate visitors during this period, a shuttle bus service from Yanagawa Station to the Sunflower Garden is scheduled.

• Best time to view: Early Sep. ~ Mid-Sep.
• 500,000 flowers across 5 hectares
• Open: 9/9 (Sat.) ~ 9/18 (Mon., hol.), light up: sunset to 20:30
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Parking available (gen.: 9:00~17:00 ¥500, free of charge after 17:00): 150 spaces
• Hashimoto-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
• Temporary Shuttle bus service from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station (East Exit) *time table
• https://ariake-mutsugoro.jp/
• https://www.facebook.com/yanagawa.himawari/

Oto Sakurakaido Flower Garden

Oto Sakurakaido, a roadside rest area, offers a variety of enjoyable activities, including playgrounds and hot spring facilities. It has also garnered attention for its luxurious toilets, the installation of which reportedly cost ¥100 million. An adjacent garden that spans 1.2 hectares is a sight to behold when sunflowers burst into bloom during the summer months. The centerpiece of the area is an 8-meter high rainbow observatory, which provides a spectacular 360-degree view of the sunflower field below. Please note, the observatory is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00.

• Best time to view: Mid-Jul.
• 300,000 flowers
• Opening hours (Oto Sakuragaido) : 9:00~18:30
• Closed: Irregular
• Free entry
• Free parking available: 500 spaces
• 1339 Imatobaru, Oto-machi, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka
• Approx. 35 min. from Kyushu expressway, Yahata IC.
• https://www.instagram.com/ootousakurakaidou/

Chikuzen Farmers Market Minaminosato

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Yasukogen mountains, enjoy an array of seasonal flowers! In the spring, mustard seed flowers captivate visitors, while cosmos bloom in the fall, and sunflowers brighten the summer. The time around the O-bon Festival offers the prime opportunity to witness the sunflowers in their full glory. During your visit, consider purchasing some locally harvested fruits, vegetables, or specially prepared dishes from the farmers’ market for a picnic amidst this picturesque setting. Unfortunately, heavy rains in July flooded the fields this year. However, as of July 20, sunflowers will be re-sown in hopes of an autumn bloom…

• Best time to view: Undecided
• Approx. 40,000 for 4,000 m2
• Opening hours (farmers market) : 9:00~17:00
• Closed: 3rd Wednesday
• Free entry
• Free parking available: over 100 spaces
• 866 Minami, Chikuzen-machi, Asakura-gun, Fukuoka
• Take the Nishitetsu train to Asakuragaido station and change to the bus towards Asakura City. Approx. 10 min. by taxi after getting off at Shinokuma bus top.
• http://chikuzen-minaminosato.jp/

Haki Dai Sunflower Field

As you drive along the road adjacent to Harazuru Farm Station Basaro, a roadside rest area, you’ll be greeted by a sudden burst of yellow from the towering sunflower fields. The sunflowers in these fields reach an impressive height of approximately two meters. Information on sunflower sowing and flowering will be updated on the official Facebook page.

• Best time to view: Mid-Sep. ~ late Sep.
• 160,000 flowers across 1.6 ha
• Opening hours (Harazuru Farm Station Basaro) : 8:30~17:30
• Closed: Year-end and new years
• Free entry
• Free parking available: 127 spaces (9 spaces for large-size cars)
• 1665-1 Hakikugumiya, Asakura, Fukuoka
• Ride express bus and transfer to the Asakura expressway at the Haki bus stop and get off at Kami Harazuru bus stop. 5 min. by car from Haki IC.
• http://fs-basaro.jp/
• https://www.instagram.com/michinoeki_harazuru/

Omuta Sunflower Field

This remarkable sunflower field, which also showcases poppies in the spring, becomes a sea of sunflowers in the summer. Overlooking the ocean, the site offers a breathtaking view of 200,000 sunflowers in full bloom, set against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and the horizon. Moreover, a dog run area, divided into sections for large and small dogs, is conveniently located just a 6-minute walk from the sunflower field. This facility is free of charge, but registration is required for usage.

• Best time to view: Early Oct.
• 200,000 flowers
• Opening hours: 10:00~16:00
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Free parking available: 100 spaces
• Kenro-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka
• https://www.k-neo.jp/facilities/
• https://twitter.com/kyusyunewenergy

Dog run
• Opening hours: 9:00~17:00
• Closed: Sun., Mon., and Tue.
• Free *registration required. Bring proof of vaccination date.
• Kenro-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka

Hyotanshima Park

Stretching 1.8 km in length and 700 m in width from north to south, this park is home to a variety of waterfront plants, fish, and wild birds in their natural habitat. The park’s distinctive calabash-like shape is due to the surrounding creek, inspiring its name “Hyotan,” the Japanese term for calabash. Each year, 250,000 sunflowers bloom vibrantly across the park’s western side, attracting numerous visitors for photo opportunities.

Though this year’s annual “Sunflower Festival” has been canceled, visitors are still allowed to pick sunflowers to take home. Please remember to bring your own scissors, container, and gloves. You are welcome to take photographs, with the optimal period for photo-taking being before the sunflowers are picked, which is until July 29.

• Best time to view: Late Jul. ~ early Aug.
• 250,000 flowers across 1.45 hectares
• Sunflower picking: 7/29 (Sat.) ~ 8/6 (Sun.)
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Free parking available: 150 spaces
• 4413 Fuchi, Hyogo-machi, Saga City, Saga
• Ride bus no. 56 headed to Hyogo/Kubo Izumi Kogyo Danchi and get off at Shimofuchi bus stop, 5 min. on foot from there
• https://www.city.saga.lg.jp/main/72054.html

Yamada Sunflower Garden

Distinct from the typical summer-blooming variety, the sunflowers at Yamada Sunflower Garden bloom starting in November. The garden offers a stunning contrast of colors, with the red autumn leaves of Mount Takatori and the clear blue sky serving as a picturesque backdrop to the vibrant, yellow sunflowers growing in the mountain rice terraces. This captivating landscape is so treasured that it was recognized as a Saga Prefecture Heritage Site in December 2020, to ensure its preservation for future generations.

On weekends and holidays, the site draws in both tourists and photography enthusiasts who are eager to capture the fantastic scenery. To add to the experience, local farmers will be selling freshly picked vegetables and refreshments.

• Best time to view: Mid-Nov.
• 100,000 flowers across 7,000 m2
• Open: 11/1 (Wed.) ~ 11/30 (Thu.)
• Opening hours: 9:00~16:00
• Closed: Never
• Entry fee: ¥100 (only adult, cleaning and maintenance fee)
• Free parking available: 20 spaces, 75 spaces at Yamada Mizube Park
• Minobaru, Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga
• 3 min. by car along Prefectural Road 31 from Kawakubo Road (head north from the intersection at Higashi, Ayabe)
• https://www.miyakikankou.jp/main/7107.html

Kuju Hanakoen

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the most expansive flower gardens in western Japan with a leisurely stroll. Across all seasons, visitors will be treated to an array of over 500 flower types. Starting from mid-July, their radiant yellow sunflowers enter full bloom and remain so for about a month.

The sprawling site, nestled between the Kuju mountain range and Aso Gogaku (the five mountains of Aso), boasts spectacular views encompassing lush forests, beautiful flower beds, and scenic fields. The flower garden’s official website constantly updates the blooming status

• Best time to view: Early Aug. ~ mid-Aug.
• 8,000 flowers
• Opening hours: 8:30~17:30 (last entry 17:00)
• Closed: Never
• Entry fee: over HS ¥800~1,000, over 5 y.o. ¥300
*the variable fee system adjusts to the volume of flowers which changes due to replanting, etc.
• Free parking available: 300 spaces
• 405 Kuju, Kuju-machi, Takeda, Oita
• Take the Takeda Kotsu bus from Bungotaketa Station (JR Hohi Line) for 20 min. Approx. 10 min. by taxi after getting off at Kujushisho-mae Station.
• http://www.hanakoen.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/kujuhanakoen/

Koshinosato Daichi Nojo

Situated on the hills of the Shimabara Peninsula, this location hosts about 100,000 sunflowers each summer. The vibrant yellow flowers set against the stunning blue sea create an exceptionally picturesque vista. Typically, these fields are used for potato cultivation, but every June, the farm plants sunflowers to aid in soil revitalization. The captivating sight of the sun setting over the sea serves as a magnificent backdrop to the bright yellow sunflowers.

• Best time to view: mid-Aug.
• 100,000 flowers across 20,000 m2
• Free visiting
• 2570 Kazusacho, Minamishimabara, Nagasaki
• 7.6 km along Unzen Green Road
• https://daichnouzyou.jimdo.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/minamishimabara_himawarikankou/

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NOTE: The information contained in this document was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now team. We endeavor to maintain accuracy, but there might be some errors or details that have changed since the time of writing. If you notice any inaccuracies or updates, your feedback would be greatly appreciated. This report was originally written in July 2023.