What’s your favorite flower? Roses? Lilies? African daisies?

Flowers are a great way to brighten up daily life, and I’m sure many of you keep flowers at home. The cheery yellow color of the sunflower has become a symbol of summer in Japan. Rather than just keep a sunflower in a vase, wouldn’t it be nice to see a field full of beautiful sunflowers?

This article will outline the attractive points of sunflowers and recommend spots to enjoy sunflower fields  in Japan this summer.

1. About Sunflowers

In Japan sunflowers are in season from July to September. Seeds are planted around April to June every year — generally those that are planted earlier grow to a bigger size.

Naturally, the most important factor in the growth of a healthy sunflower is sunlight, making summer the best season for sunflowers to bloom. However, if the season is marred by too many cloudy or rainy days, the sunflowers may bloom late. The quality and timing of a sunflower’s bloom really depends on the weather.

If you can see a lot of beautiful sunflowers in the summer, then you know you’ve had good luck with the weather earlier in the season.

2. Sunflower Meanings

Did you know that there are several different kinds of sunflowers? Many of you may only know of yellow sunflowers, but in reality they come in a variety of colors.

Each type of sunflower has different meaning:

・Yellow sunflowers: Longing. Love from afar.
・White sunflowers: A healthy romantic relationship.
・Purple sunflowers: Sorrow.
・Large-flowered sunflowers: Fake relationship.
・Small-flowered sunflowers: Royal, love.

Generally, sunflowers have a positive meaning associated with love. These days, people have developed a variety of sunflowers, and now there are more than sixty different types of sunflowers in Japan.

3. Any Good Spots to See Sunflowers in Japan?

The rainy season is almost over in Japan, and that means sunflower season will begin.

Sunflower season only comes once a year, so don’t miss it! Let’s take a look at some must-see sunflower fields in Japan.

1. Kiyose City Sunflower Festival @ Tokyo

There is a convenient sunflower spot in Tokyo called the Kiyose City Sunflower Festival. This is the biggest sunflower field in Tokyo, and its stunning display of flowers is truly moving. This field has about 100,000 sunflowers!

<Sunflower festival information>

Address: 3, Shimokiyoto, Kiyose city, Toyo, 204-0011
TEL: 042-497-2052
Event date: August 18th to August 28th, 2018
Time: 10:00am-16:00pm
Scale of the field: 24,000 square meters
Entrance fee: FREE!

<Access>
(Seibu Ikebukuro Line) Kiyose Station North exit, take a Seibu bus for “Shiki Station” and get off at the “Green Town Kiyoto” bus stop. The Kiyose city sunflower festival is just a 6 minute walk away.

※Weekend Special※
From the Kiyose Station North exit, there’s a free, direct bus to the sunflower festival from the Community Plaza sunflower entrance near the station.

If you’re planning to go to this sunflower festival on the weekend, you can go there for free from Kiyose Station.

2. Narita Dream Ranch Sunflower Maze @ Narita

Have you ever tried walking though a maze? This sunflower field has big sunflower maze for people of all ages. You can enjoy a view of about 78,000 hybrid sunflowers here.

<Sunflower festival information>

Address: 730, Nagi, Narita city, Chiba Prefecture, 289-0111
TEL: 0476-96-1001
Event date: Early in July to the end of August 2018
※ Check in advance when they’ll be holding the sunflower maze.
Time: 9:30am-16:00pm
Scale of the field: 13,000 square meters
Entrance fee: 1,400 yen (adults), 700 yen (kids over three years old), free (kids under three years old)
Pet entrance fee: 1,500 yen (big dogs), 1,000 yen (small dogs)

<Access>
(Narita Line) Namegawa Station, take the free shuttle bus from the station

Because of its association with the sun, the color yellow makes people positive and happy. While it’s nice to spend summer at the beach or by the pool, why not try visiting a sunflower field this year?

There are many sunflower fields in Japan, but try to visit one in Tokyo area, especially if the weather stays sunny. You’ll love it!

YAE
Japan