The season to enjoy Hokkaido’s rural landscapes has arrived.
The Takikawa Canola Flower Festival, held every year on weekends over two weeks in late May, took place again this year, and I visited on Saturday, May 24, during the second weekend.

At Roadside Station Takikawa*, a gourmet festival featuring food trucks and local specialties was held. At the special canola field venue, visitors enjoyed vast hillsides covered in bright yellow canola flowers. Both venues were bustling with crowds, and many overseas tourists were also seen, highlighting the festival’s popularity.
* A Japanese roadside station featuring local food, restaurants, and tourist information.

Visitors can reach the special canola field venue by the Canola Bus or Canola Taxi, which operate from Roadside Station Takikawa. After registering, I took the Canola Bus (the fare, including admission, was 800 yen).

Arriving at the venue on a packed bus, the breathtaking sight of brilliant yellow canola fields spreading across the hills instantly came into view—it was truly impressive. Takikawa City is one of Japan’s leading areas for rapeseed cultivation. Since canola flowers are grown as an agricultural crop for producing rapeseed oil, the viewing fields change location each year to prevent continuous cropping issues, thanks to the cooperation of local farmers.

A broom like the one used by Kiki in Kiki’s Delivery Service* was on display, so I asked a staff member to pose for a photo (thank you very much!).
*Kiki’s Delivery Service: a popular Japanese animated film by Studio Ghibli about a young witch and her broom.

The broom even had Jiji the black cat sitting on it.

A “Anywhere Door” in the middle of the canola field? Staff members kindly take commemorative photos for visitors—making it a wonderful memory.

Local specialties such as rapeseed oil, canola honey, and souvenir can badges were available for purchase, making it easy to find the perfect keepsake.

Back at the roadside station around lunchtime, the area was even more crowded, and some items were already sold out. I enjoyed local treats such as Takikawa High School’s canola honey ice cream—both delicious and satisfying. With great weather throughout the day, it was an event I thoroughly enjoyed.

Mapcode (Roadside Station Takikawa): 179 428 462*35