[Sunflower Fields in Hokuryu] Visitors Are Moved by 2.0 Million Sunflowers during Sunflower Festival

Himarwari-no-Sato

Himarwari-no-Sato (ひまわりの里) is sunflower fields in Hokuryu town located in the southwestern direction of Asahikawa city. It is near the roadside station “Sunflower Hokuryu (サンフラワー北竜)” along National Route 275, and the sunflower fields of 23.1 ha are planted on a small hillside at about 100 m above sea level. Whole planted area of the sunflowers in the Hokuryu is 100 ha, and it is the largest planted area in Japan. In the Hokuryu, the sunflowers are planted here and there certainly. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

It all started when Mr. Susumu Yotsuji (四辻進) was moved by sunflower fields around Belgrade Airport, Serbia. Hokuryu people have planted the sunflowers since 1979, and those increase to 2.0 million at present. Here is near Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen (サンフラワーパーク北竜温泉) and Himawari Park Golf Course (ひまわりパークゴルフ場), and Uryunuma-Shitsugen Wetland (雨竜沼湿原) and Rose Garden Chippubetsu (ローズガーデンちっぷべつ) are relatively near here.

Uryunuma-Shitsugen Wetland

Uryunuma-Shitsugen Wetland (雨竜沼湿原) is a marshland in Uryu town located in the northwestern direction of Takikawa city, and has been designated as the Ramsar Convention. In Shokanbetsu Teuri Yagishiri Quasi-National Park (暑寒別天売焼尻国定公園), the marshland is a high moor of about 100 ha at about 900 m above sea level. More than 700 ponds and marshs are in the high moor, and more than 200 types of flowers and plants can be observed. The Uryunuma-Shitsugen Wetland is famous as a little-known spot to be able to enjoy the beautiful nature scenery of Hokkaido. It is said that the best season is from late July to early August, and hikers can enjoy the scenery from mid June to early October. Read More

Rose Garden Chippubetsu

Rose Garden Chippubetsu (ローズガーデンちっぷべつ) is a rose garden near Kodomo-Boken-no-Mori Park (こども冒険の森公園) and Xe-Xe Land (めぇーめぇーランド) in Chippubetsu town located in the western direction of Asahikawa city, and was founded as an outdoor recreational spot with flowers and green plants in 1999. About 300 types of about 3,000 roses are planted at the site of 5.4 ha, and colourful roses can be enjoyed. The best times to see those are around early July, mid August and early September, and several best times come. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge. They accept a donation. Garden House Plaza Welkamu (ガーデンプラザ「ウエル花夢」) that dishes and souvenirs can be enjoyed and a public restroom are built beside the parking lot. By the way, a wedding ceremony can be performed at the Rose Garden Chippubetsu. They close a business from early October to late June. Read More

Hokuryu Onsen

Hokuryu Onsen (北竜温泉) is a hot spring place in Hokuryu town located in the western direction of Asahikawa city. Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen (サンフラワーパーク北竜温泉) at road station “Sunflower Hokuryu (サンフラワー北竜)” is built along National Route 275. A gate of dragons is a mark. The building is near Hokuryu Sunflower Field (北竜ひまわりの里) and Himawari Park Golf Course (ひまわりパークゴルフ場), and Uryunuma-Shitsugen Wetland (雨竜沼湿原) and Rose Garden Chippubetsu (ローズガーデンちっぷべつ) are relatively near here. Read More

Sunflower Festival

Sunflower Festival (ひまわりまつり) is held from mid July to mid August. I think that visitors will be moved by a flood of the sunflowers. About 350 thousand tourists come. The sunflowers are full in bloom in early August.

The time it takes to look around 4 types of the sunflowers, Hybrid Sunflower, Harurinzo, Natsurinzo and Hanarinzo, on the hillside is around 1 hour. Roads are paved on the site, but you may be tired because of a difference of elevation, so you should wear comfortable shoes. Touring Bus “Himawari-go (ひまわり号)” is served for JPY 500. The time it takes to go a tour is around 12 minutes. Bicycle rental service is available for JPY 100 per 60 minutes, too.

There are World Sunflowers (世界のひまわりコーナー), 2 sunflower mazes, Duck Ranch (合鴨牧場), Himawari Tourist Center (ひまわり観光センター), a public restoom and the parking lot on the site. At the Himawari Tourist Center, restraunts and shops open, so the visitors enjoy eating and drinking, too. Himawari soft serve ice cream using sunflower seed powder is sold, too. As for the sunflower mazes, characters are seen from the top, and addmission fees are JPY 300. By the way, Himawari Fireworks Display (ひまわり花火大会) is held on the first wednesday in August, too. The visitors can savor the sunflowers and the fireworks at the same time.

Atmosphere of Sunflower Fields Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Sunflower Fields

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Hokuryu. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

HOKURYU ONSEN

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Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen(サンフラワーパーク北竜温泉)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten