Lavender fields aren't the only summer flower sights in Hokkaido. Sunflowers, nestled amidst Hokkaido's quintessential scenery, also contribute to the summer atmosphere. However, information on sunflower fields is scarce in guidebooks, leaving you wondering where to go.

So, we've carefully selected five sunflower fields in Hokkaido that we highly recommend you visit. In Hokkaido, sunflowers begin blooming in mid-July in southern and central Hokkaido, and in northern Hokkaido and the Okhotsk region, you can enjoy them until October. Immerse yourself in the magnificent sunflower fields and relive the summer vacation feeling of a boy or girl.

Table of contents
1. Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village
2. Nayoro Sunflower Field
3. Sunflower field in Ozora Town
4. Zerubu Hill (Biei Town)
5. Ogawa Farm Sunflower Maze (Chitose City)
6. Fun Facts about Sunflowers in Hokkaido

1. Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village

Hokuryu Town is located in northern Sorachi, on the route from Takikawa City to Rumoi. It is one of Japan's northernmost rice-producing areas, but in the summer it is a town of sunflowers that attracts many visitors from both within and outside Hokkaido.

Originally, sunflower cultivation began in the 1970s for the purpose of developing health foods, but its beauty and grandeur have made it a major tourist attraction. Today, it boasts the largest scale in Japan with 1.5 million sunflowers, as well as the "Sunflower Train," a sightseeing train pulled by a tractor that leisurely takes visitors through the sunflower fields, a tourist center, two observation decks, two sunflower mazes, a pond, and various other facilities.

First, head to Observation Deck 1, which is right after you get out of the parking lot. From here, you can see a sunflower field that seems to stretch to the ends of the earth. Take some photos with the sunflowers, which truly embody the spirit of summer, as your backdrop. The field, which has been passed down and expanded over generations, is vast, covering 23 hectares.

Then, take a ride on the "Sunflower Train" and slowly admire each and every large sunflower. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the sunflowers, bravely turning their yellow blossoms towards the sun, seem to give you a boost of energy.

If you get a little tired of walking around the park, head to the tourist center. Here you can enjoy sunflower melons and sunflower watermelons, specialties of Hokuryu Town. After rehydrating, try feeding the ducks, another specialty of Kita-Sorachi. It's sure to be a relaxing experience.

There are also day-trip hot spring facilities and accommodations nearby. Restaurants serving Hokkaido-grown rice, a source of pride for Hokuryu Town, allow you to fully enjoy the summer in northern Sorachi.

If you're traveling from Sapporo or Asahikawa towards northern Hokkaido, this is definitely a spot you should add to your itinerary. It would be a perfect addition to a trip to Asahikawa.

Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village
143-2 Itaya, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Flowering period: Mid-July to late August
Sunflower Festival: July 15th (Sat) - August 20th (Sun), 2017
Approximately 2.5 hours from Chitose Airport
Approximately 1.5 hours from Asahikawa Airport

2. Nayoro Sunflower Field

Located north of Asahikawa City, in the northernmost part of the Kamikawa region, is Nayoro City. Its sunflower fields are the second largest after those in Hokuryu Town. There are two large sunflower fields, centered around the Hokkaido Prefectural Sun Pillar Park.

Sun Pillar Park is at its best from mid-August to late August. It is located on a small hill where you can also enjoy other flowers. With facilities such as a day spa and indoor playgrounds, the whole family can enjoy a visit and the kids won't get bored.

This is a spot where you can leisurely enjoy the magnificent rural landscape of Nayoro City. Take your time to admire the yellow carpet of rice fields from a distance.

Another example is the sunflower field in the Chiebun district. Until 2006, it was the largest sunflower field in Japan, but the planted area was drastically reduced because it could potentially become a source of potato diseases and pests.

While Sun Pillar Park is located on a hill, this is a vast sunflower field stretching as far as the eye can see on flat ground, and you'll be amazed by the size and beauty of the large blooms. The sheer size of the sunflowers is so overwhelming that it's almost frightening, as if you might drown in them.

This isn't just a place for tourism. While sunflowers are cultivated throughout Hokkaido for fertilizer for various crops, many of the sunflowers here are grown for oil extraction, and in fact, sunflower oil is sold in Nayoro City. The golden-colored edible oil, which seems to capture the color of the sunflowers themselves, is rich in anti-aging components such as oleic acid and vitamin E, so it seems like you can receive the energy of sunflowers not only for your mind but also for your body.

There are two venues in the Chiebun area, but there are also free rental bicycles available, so it might be nice to take your time and explore the area.

*However, please do not enter the fields to prevent pest and disease infestations. Thank you for your cooperation!

Nayoro Sunflower Field
Address: 147 Nisshin, Nayoro City, Hokkaido, Hokkaido Prefectural Sun Pillar Park
MOA Nayoro Farm, Chiebun, Nayoro City, Hokkaido
Best viewing period: Early to mid-August
Approximately 2.5 hours from Asahikawa Airport
Approximately 4 hours from Chitose Airport
For inquiries:Nayoro Tourism and Community Development Association

3. Sunflower field in Ozora Town

Oozora Town was formed by the merger of Memanbetsu Town and Higashimokoto Village. It goes without saying that the name was chosen with Memanbetsu Airport in mind.

There are many flower viewing spots from spring to autumn, such as Märchen Hill and Higashimokoto Park. But in the summer, it's sunflowers. We start receiving news of them blooming from late July.

This sunflower field is divided into three locations. Of these, the sunflower field adjacent to the airport is outstanding.

If you look towards the airport from the recycling center, and the timing is right, you might be able to see a plane making a charming landing in the middle of a sunflower field.
You'll feel like you've stepped into a fantasy world. There's also an observation deck, making it a perfect photo spot.

Start your trip with an airplane and sunflowers. This scenery is sure to heighten any vague anticipation for your trip and turn it into a certainty that it will be a great one. Two other sunflower fields are also within about 15 minutes' drive from each location. If you have time in your itinerary, be sure to visit them as well.

Oozora Town Sunflower Fields
Address: Oozora-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido
Best time to see
[Airport land] Late July to mid-August 2015
[Asahigaoka Park (1)] Early August to late September, mid-October to late October
Approximately 5 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport
For inquiries:Memanbetsu Tourism Association

4. Zerubu Hill (Biei Town)

If you were to name just one famous sunflower spot in the Furano area, it would be Zerubu Hill, which is said to be the only place that comes to mind. It is an extremely famous spot.

Sunflowers, with their short blooming period, are at their best twice a year, in July and September. While the Ken and Mary Tree is so famous that sunflowers tend to be overshadowed, the sunflowers, a symbol of summer, are certainly not to be outdone.

Take a cart or walk up to the observation deck, admire the fairytale-like Ken and Mary Tree and be captivated by its magnificent Hokkaido-like grandeur, then be moved by the vast sunflower field you can look down on from high above. Afterwards, enjoy the sunflowers, shining with a divine golden light, up close.

The contrast between the cool, pale purple of lavender, even in summer, and the sunflowers, reminiscent of the summer sun itself, will undoubtedly make your trip to the Furano area even more memorable.

In addition to the abundance of flowers that add color to a summer trip to Hokkaido, the park also features fresh vegetables, restaurants, and souvenir shops. There's even a kids' room, and plenty of things to keep children entertained. It's a must-visit spot if you're heading towards Furano from Asahikawa Airport.

Zerubu Hill / Atom Hill
〒071-0225 Ōmi, Biei-chō, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
TEL.0166-92-3160
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Approximately 20 minutes from Asahikawa Airport
Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from Chitose Airport

↓↓Click here for great deals on tours to Furano↓↓

5. Ogawa Farm Sunflower Maze

If you want to enjoy a sunflower field and your flight is arriving at or departing from New Chitose Airport, then Ogawa Farm is highly recommended. It's a farm located in the eastern part of Chitose City.

Incidentally, most sunflower fields in Hokkaido are agricultural fields and therefore off-limits. You can often view them from afar or up close, but you can't enter most of them. However, Ogawa Farm is different. It is a sunflower field truly meant for enjoyment.

The proof of this is the giant sunflower maze, which is full of amusement. The maze, which the staff has painstakingly created using approximately 160,000 sunflowers (!), is quite challenging. Some people are unable to escape even after nearly an hour. If you experience it, it will undoubtedly become a memorable experience that you will look back on for years to come.

With easy access from the airport, why not experience this giant sunflower maze, straight out of an American movie, at the beginning or end of your trip? If you venture a little further, you'll find the massive Palette Hill sunflower field, but please note that this area is off-limits.

Ogawa Farm Sunflower Maze
Address: 518-3 Izumigo, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Best viewing period: Early to mid-August
Approximately 20 minutes from Chitose Airport

6. Fun Facts about Sunflowers in Hokkaido

By the way, if you're driving around Hokkaido in the fall, around October, you can sometimes come across out-of-season sunflower fields with short, yellow flowers in bloom (some places plant rapeseed instead).
These aren't planted for ornamental purposes or for commercial sale; they're planted to prepare the soil for the following year.
Let's practice agriculture that relies on the power of nature, without using chemical fertilizers. Don't you think the sunflowers that bloom and then wither are also beautiful in their own way?

Final thoughts

We've introduced some of Hokkaido's best sunflower fields. What did you think? You're sure to be moved when you see Hokkaido's uniquely large-scale sunflower fields up close!

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