Now Reports

Sunflowers, with their striking yellow petals, reach skyward against the backdrop of a vivid summer sky. This dazzling display of nature symbolizes the vibrancy of the season and reaches its peak beauty about two weeks after the flowers open. As the season progresses, the centers of the sunflowers fill with mature seeds, causing the blooms to nod under their weight—a delightful scene in its own right. Sunflower viewing extends from early summer to autumn, with the best times varying by location. For an optimal experience, refer to our annual guide to the best viewing spots with Fukuoka Now.
▷ Fukuoka Now Sunflower Guide 2024 (Google Map)

Sunflower Viewing Spots near Fukuoka
• Fukuoka City (1)
• Yanagawa City (1)
• Tagawa-gun (1)
• Asakura-gun (1)
• Asakura City (1)
• Omuta City (1)
• Miyaki-gun, Saga (1)
• Saga City, Saga (1)
• Bungotakada City, Oita (1)
• Taketa City, Oita (1)
• Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki (1)

Nokonoshima Island Park

Discover the sun-kissed splendor of Nokonoshima Island Park, a short 10-minute ferry journey from Meinohama Ferry Terminal. The park comes alive with a vibrant display of 50,000 sunflowers, each sequentially planted to extend the viewing season. From July 27 to August 18, 2024, visitors have a unique opportunity to pick and take home their very own sunflower—visitors are reminded to bring a bag and gloves, while scissors are provided at the park.

• Season: Late Jul. ~ late Aug.
• Approx. 50,000 flowers across 7,000 m2
• Open: 9:00~17:30 (Sun. and hol.: ~18:30)
• Closed: Never
• Entry fee: ¥1,500, ES & JHS ¥800, 3 y.o. & below ¥500
• Parking: Meinohama ferry terminal (¥510 / day) 347 spaces
• Nokonoshima, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 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/

Yanagawa Sunflower Garden

Spread across 5 hectares of reclaimed land facing the Ariake Sea, approximately 500,000 sunflowers bloom dazzlingly in all directions. At Yanagawa Sunflower Garden, which opens in time for the peak viewing season, visitors can enjoy a magical scene as the sunflower fields are illuminated at dusk.

• Season: Early Sep. ~ mid-Sep.
• 500,000 flowers across 5 ha
• Open: Sep. 13 (Fri.) ~ Sep. 23 (Mon., hol.), light up: sunset to 20:30
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Parking: 150 spaces (Environmental Improvement Cooperation Fee ¥500)
• Hashimoto-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
• 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 from 10:00 to 17:00.

• Season: Mid-Jul.
• Approx. 300,000 flowers across 1.2 ha
• Open (Oto Sakurakaido) : 9:00~18:30
• Closed: Irregular
• Free entry
• Parking: 500 spaces (free)
• 1339 Imatobaru, Oto-machi, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka
• Access: Approx. 35 min. from Kyushu expressway Yahata IC.
• https://www.instagram.com/ootousakurakaidou/

Chikuzen Farmers Market Minami no Sato

At the “Minami no Sato” direct sales store, you can enjoy seasonal flowers with the backdrop of the Yasu Highlands mountains. In spring, the area blooms with canola flowers, in autumn with cosmos, and in summer with sunflowers. The store sells fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and prepared foods harvested locally. Visitors can shop and enjoy a picnic while admiring the sunflowers.

• Season: Sep.
• Approx. 40,000 flowers across 4,000 m2
• Open (farmers market) : 9:00~17:00
• Closed: 3rd Wed.
• Free entry
• Parking: over 100 spaces (free)
• 866 Minami, Chikuzen-machi, Asakura-gun, Fukuoka
• Access: 17 min. by car from Ogori IC
• 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 1.5 meters. Information on sunflower sowing and flowering will be updated on the official Facebook page.

• Season: Mid-Sep. ~ late Sep.
• 160,000 flowers across 1.6 ha
• Open (Harazuru Farm Station Basaro) : 8:30~17:30
• Closed: Year-end and new years
• Free entry
• Parking: 127 spaces, 9 spaces for large-size cars (free)
• 1665-1 Hakikugumiya, Asakura City, Fukuoka
• http://fs-basaro.jp/
• https://www.facebook.com/harazurubasaro/

Omuta Sunflower Field

This remarkable sunflower field, which also showcases poppies in the spring, becomes a sea of sunflowers in the autumn. 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.

• Season: Mid-Oct.
• 200,000 flowers
• Open: 10:00~16:00
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Parking: 100 spaces (free)
• Kenro-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka
• Access: 13 min. by car from Omuta North IC
• https://www.k-neo.jp/facilities/
• https://twitter.com/kyusyunewenergy

Yamada Sunflower Garden

The late-blooming sunflower fields, which reach their peak around November, offer a unique charm distinct from the summer sunflowers—most notably, they bloom in cooler weather! Nestled among mountain terraces, the bright yellow of the large sunflowers, the red leaves of hazel trees on Takatoriyama, and the late autumn blue sky create a stunning color combination. Especially on weekends and holidays, this picturesque scene draws crowds of photography enthusiasts and tourists. Local farmers also sell fresh vegetables and light snacks.

• Season: Mid-Nov.
• 100,000 flowers across 7,000 m2
• Open: 11/1 (Fri.) ~ 11/30 (Sat.)
• Opening hours: 9:00~16:00
• Closed: Never
• Entry fee: ¥100 (only adult, cleaning and maintenance fee)
• Parking: 20 spaces (free), 75 spaces at Shozugawa Yamada Mizube Park (free)
• Minobaru, Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga (near Shozugawa Yamada Mizube Park)
• Access: 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

Hyotanjima Park

Hyotanjima Park, resembling the shape of a gourd and surrounded by a creek to the south, spans approximately 700 meters north to south, with a total circumference of 1.8 km. The park is rich in natural flora and fauna, including waterside plants, small fish, and wild birds. In summer, visitors can enjoy around 250,000 blooming sunflowers. From August 3 to August 11, sunflower picking is also available—visitors should bring their own scissors, bags, and gloves.

• Season: Late Jul. ~ early Aug.
• Approx. 250,000 flowers across 1.45 ha
• Closed: Never
• Free entry
• Parking: 150 spaces (free)
• 4413 Fuchi, Hyogo-machi, Saga City, Saga
• Access: 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

Nagasakibana

Nagasakibana, a cape in Oita Prefecture on the Kunisaki Peninsula overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, juts out into the ocean like a “nose.” This spot is renowned for its breathtaking views. The area is well-equipped with caves, beaches, and a campground, and vast fields that bloom with canola flowers in spring and are covered by approximately 1.6 million sunflowers in summer Nagasakibana is also known as the “Cape of Art,” with permanent art installations that were part of the Kunisaki Peninsula Art Festival 2014, featuring contributions from artists like Yoko Ono and Che Joon-Hwa.

• Season: Mid-Aug. ~ early Sep.
• Approx. 1,600,000 flowers across 16.5 ha
• Parking: 300 cars (¥500 / car) *parking is charged only during the nanohana and sunflower seasons.
• 4060 Mime, Bungotakada City, Oita
• https://www.nagasakibana-oita.jp/flowerpark/

Kuju Hanakoen

This is one of the largest flower parks in Western Japan, where visitors can enjoy over 500 varieties of flowers seasonally. Surrounded by the Kuju mountain range and the Aso Five Peaks, the expansive grounds include forested areas, flower fields, and wild grass areas, all offering plenty to see. Updates on the current blooming status of flowers, including sunflowers, are regularly posted on the official website.

• Season: Mid-Aug.
• 8,000 flowers across 3,200 m2
• Open: 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.
• Parking: 300 spaces (free)
• 405 Kuju, Kuju-machi, Taketa City, Oita
• Access: Take the Taketa 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/

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.

• Season: Late Jul. ~ mid-Aug.
• Approx. 100,000 flowers across 20,000 m2
• Free viewing
• 2570 Kazusacho, Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki
• 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 June 2024.