On August 14, we visited the 39th Hokuryu Sunflower Festival, held at Himawari no Sato (Sunflower Village) in Hokuryu Town, home to one of the largest sunflower fields in Japan.
An astonishing two million sunflowers bloom across the fields, creating a breathtaking sea of yellow. The festival runs from July 20 to August 18, and on the day of our visit, the landscape was completely covered in vibrant sunflowers—an unforgettable sight. The venue attracted a large number of visitors from both Japan and overseas, with many international travelers enjoying the spectacular scenery.
As permanent attractions, there were a sunflower maze that could be enjoyed by both children and adults, as well as sightseeing carts that leisurely toured the fields. In addition to simply admiring the flowers, visitors could also enjoy hands-on, interactive experiences. Blending natural beauty with the lively atmosphere of a summer festival, the Hokuryu Sunflower Festival is a perfect seasonal destination that captures the essence of summer in Hokkaido.

A video of the 39th Hokuryu Sunflower Festival is now available.

20250814 – The 39th Hokuryu Sunflower Festival Kawatabi Hokkaido YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfaXiZU0_V4

Various events were held throughout the festival period. On August 14, the day we visited, a live performance by an idol group took place. Admission is free, making it easy for anyone to drop by. Parking fees are 500 yen for standard cars, 100 yen for motorcycles, and 2,000 yen for large vehicles (over 6 meters).

In the “Sunflowers of the World” area, 18 different sunflower varieties from around the globe were grown and displayed. Visitors could enjoy everything from tall, impressive sunflowers to delicate smaller ones, as well as rare varieties with bright orange petals. These sunflowers were grown by students from Hokuryu Junior High School, adding a strong sense of local community to the festival.

There are two sunflower mazes, each with an entrance fee of 300 yen. Walking through the vast fields surrounded by sunflowers as tall as yourself feels like stepping into a world of flowers. The mazes are fun for both children and adults and are perfect for making summer memories.

Several photo spots are set up around the venue, allowing visitors to take pictures with the sunflowers as a stunning backdrop. One of the most popular was a bright pink, “Anywhere Door”-style installation, where many people lined up to take photos. Pictures framed by blue summer skies and endless sunflowers make perfect souvenirs of the visit.

At the tourist center next to the venue, shops sell sunflower-themed foods and souvenirs, making it a great place to pick up gifts or keepsakes from the trip.

The best time to see the sunflowers is said to be from late July to early August, but even when we visited slightly later, the scenery was still impressive and well worth the trip.

Mapcode for the Venue: 763 569 747*63