HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Ibaraki Ibaraki Suburbs Experience the Vibrant Autumn Blooms at Hitachi Seaside Park: Kochia and Cosmos Now in Full Color
Experience the Vibrant Autumn Blooms at Hitachi Seaside Park: Kochia and Cosmos Now in Full Color

Experience the Vibrant Autumn Blooms at Hitachi Seaside Park: Kochia and Cosmos Now in Full Color

Date published: 22 October 2024

Hitachi Seaside Park’s autumn colors are truly one-of-a-kind, and the vibrant kochia plants on Miharashi Hill are now in peak season. Just days ago as of posting this article, images captured the hill covered in stunning red kochia, creating a timely and immersive view of the park. With over 40,000 kochia plants transforming the hill, visitors can enjoy this breathtaking scenery, exclusive to Hitachi Seaside Park. The peak viewing period is expected to continue through October 26, after which the color will begin to shift to a beautiful red-brown gradient.

Main Image: Hitachi Seaside Park

Table of Contents
  1. Kochia’s Peak Season at Hitachi Seaside Park
  2. Cosmos’ Peak Season at Hitachi Seaside Park
  3. Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots
  4. Photo Gallery: A Timely Look at Hitachi Seaside Park
  5. Recommended Photo Spots for This Year
  6. Seasonal Sweets: A Taste of Autumn

Kochia’s Peak Season at Hitachi Seaside Park

Kochia dyeing the entire hill red (Photo taken on October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Kochia dyeing the entire hill red (Photo taken on October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

Kochia, known as "broom grass" due to its past use in making brooms, turns a vibrant red in the fall, transforming the landscape of Miharashi Hill. This year, approximately 40,000 kochia of the “Rouge” variety are planted across 2.3 hectares. These ornamental plants begin their change from green to red by mid-October, with this year’s peak from around October 18 to 26. After the 26th, visitors can admire the unique red-to-brown color shift.

Cosmos’ Peak Season at Hitachi Seaside Park

Miharashi Hill Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024, Image; Hitachi Seaside Park)
Miharashi Hill Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024, Image; Hitachi Seaside Park)

While the kochia could be considered the stars of the show, the park is also home to other seasonal flowers like cosmos and Japanese buckwheat (soba) flowers. These delicate flowers, highlighted in recent photos, add pastel shades of pink and white to contrast with the red kochia, creating a colorful and diverse autumn display.

The cosmos, also visible in the most recent images, are in full bloom from late September through mid-October. Their soft tones provide a beautiful backdrop to the kochia’s deepening reds, enhancing the overall charm of the park’s autumn scenery.

Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots

Miharashi-no-Sato Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Miharashi-no-Sato Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

For those seeking the perfect autumn photo, Miharashi Hill offers panoramic views of the colorful fields. Images taken recently showcase how the combination of kochia and cosmos create an ideal spot for photography. The meandering paths within the park also provide immersive opportunities to capture the season’s beauty.

Photo Gallery: A Timely Look at Hitachi Seaside Park

Catch a glimpse of the park’s current beauty with the photo gallery below, featuring stunning images of the kochia and cosmos fields taken just days ago. Whether you're planning a visit or simply admiring from afar, these photos offer an exciting preview of what the park looks like right now.

Cosmos and Autumn Flowers with Kokia

Around 2.36 million cosmos are currently in their prime bloom at Miharashi Hill. Enjoy the stunning combination of red, white, and pink cosmos flowers alongside the deep red kochia. The cosmos are expected to remain in bloom until the end of October.

Miharashi Hill Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Miharashi Hill Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Sensation Mix Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Sensation Mix Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Crested Red Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 13, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Crested Red Cosmos (Photo Taken: October 13, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

Buckwheat (Soba) Flowers

Soba flowers are also in full bloom at Miharashi-no-Sato. Enjoy the white blossoms of the "Hitachi Aki Soba" and the vibrant red flowers of the "Takane Ruby" variety. The soba fields will be in bloom until the end of October.

Miharashi-no-Sato Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Miharashi-no-Sato Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Hitachi Aki Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Hitachi Aki Soba (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Takane Ruby (Photo Taken: October 19, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Takane Ruby (Photo Taken: October 19, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

Multiflora Mums

This year, the Multiflora Mums make their debut at the park. These bright flowers come in yellow, pink, and purple, adding color to Miharashi Hill. The mums will be at their best until the end of October.

Miharashi-no-Sato Multiflora Mums (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Miharashi-no-Sato Multiflora Mums (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Photo Taken: October 6, 2024 (Image:Hitachi Seaside Park)
Photo Taken: October 6, 2024 (Image:Hitachi Seaside Park)
Photo Taken: October 19, 2024 (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Photo Taken: October 19, 2024 (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

Recommended Photo Spots for This Year

Welcome Garden

Welcome Garden (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Welcome Garden (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

This area showcases a variety of 15 colorful flower species, including marigolds and blue salvia. Capture stunning photos as you walk the winding paths, creating the illusion of standing amidst the flower fields.

Entrance Door to the Flower Field

Entrance to the Flower Field (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Entrance to the Flower Field (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

A new photogenic spot has been added to highlight the beauty of the soba fields. Here, you can capture the colorful scene with kochia, cosmos, and soba flowers in the background.

"HITACHI" Monument

"HITACHI" Monument (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
"HITACHI" Monument (Photo Taken: October 20, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

A new monument spelling out “HITACHI” has been introduced as a photo spot. Take photos here with the kochia plants nearby for a perfect park memory.

Photo Service (Until October 27)

Photo Service (Photo taken on October 13th, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Photo Service (Photo taken on October 13th, 2024; Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

At the base of Miharashi Hill, near the cosmos flowers, a photo service is available. Capture a memory of the kochia at their peak bloom, and purchase a photo with a special holder if you wish.

Seasonal Sweets: A Taste of Autumn

Marukoro Kochia Softcream (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Marukoro Kochia Softcream (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

During the event, there are many desserts made with local ingredients.

Kochia Latte (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Kochia Latte (Image: Hitachi Seaside Park)

Highlights include the seasonal “Marukoro Kochia Soft” ice cream, the “Kochia Latte,” which features Ibaraki’s renowned Sashima matcha with a strawberry sauce to represent the kochia colors, and the “Ibaraki Fruit Lassi,” made with locally sourced fruit and yogurt. The menu is packed with delicious autumn-themed sweets that showcase the region's flavors.

Location: Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki Prefecture
Operating Hours: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Admission Fee: 450 yen (for high school students and older, free for junior high school students and younger)

As autumn deepens, Hitachi Seaside Park transforms into a vibrant spectacle, offering visitors a fusion of seasonal colors. Just two hours from Tokyo, this is a must-see spot for anyone looking to embrace the fall season. Whether you come for the stunning kochia, the delicate cosmos, or the many other autumn blooms, make sure to visit soon before the colors fade!

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

Share this article.

 
Search