Hokuryu Sunflower Fields
Hokuryu Town, in the Sorachi General Subprefectural Bureau of Hokkaido (Uryu District), has a population of about 1,700 — and is known for «Himawari no Sato,» one of Japan's largest sunflower fields (about 23 hectares, equivalent to roughly five Tokyo Domes). Inspired by sunflower fields seen on a European study tour in 1987 (Showa 62) as a town-revitalization project, the field today contains about 230,000 sunflowers across more than 12 varieties. During the «Hokuryu Sunflower Festival» from mid-July to late August, over a million visitors arrive, making it Hokkaido's quintessential summer scene. The sea of gold extending to the foothills is rare even by Japanese standards, and during peak bloom paragliding tours offer aerial views of the flower carpet.
Highlights
- Himawari no Sato (23 hectares) — about 230,000 sunflowers, equivalent to five Tokyo Domes, one of Japan's largest sunflower fields
- Peak bloom early August — the Sunflower Festival features mazes, souvenirs, and gourmet food
- More than 12 sunflower varieties — beyond yellow, lemon-yellow, red-tinged, and multicolor varieties, with a guide to each
- Observatory and Sunflower Maze — overhead shots from the platform, with the maze popular among families
- Paragliding — aerial views of the sunflower field, available only in summer
