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5 Dreamy Flower Fields in Kansai To Visit in Spring (Hyogo, Osaka, Shiga Prefectures)

5 Dreamy Flower Fields in Kansai To Visit in Spring (Hyogo, Osaka, Shiga Prefectures)

Last updated: 5 April 2024

From spring to summer, Japan becomes covered in magnificent fields of vivid flowers. Some of these beautiful Japanese flower fields are absolutely massive, stretching across the horizon and forming jaw-dropping, otherworldly views complete with nourishing aromas.

From late April to early May, you can see many of these flower parks at their peak beauty! Here we introduce five flower fields in the Kansai region that will be blooming in late spring, along with how to reach each one.

*Dates, times, and content of events are subject to change depending on conditions. Please check each official website for details.
*Top photo: PIXTA

Table of Contents
  1. 1. Awaji Hanasajiki Flower Park: Colorful Poppies as Far as the Eye Can See! (Hyogo)
  2. 2. Osaka Maishima Seaside Park: A Sea of Platinum Blue Flowers! (Osaka)
  3. 3. Shiga Blumen Hugel Farm: A Enchanting Park of Roses and Pansies (Shiga)
  4. 4. Hana no Juutan: Over 100 Million 'Shibazakura' Moss Phlox Flowers! (Hyogo)
  5. 5. Sandai Shrine: Waterfalls of Purple Wisteria (Shiga)

1. Awaji Hanasajiki Flower Park: Colorful Poppies as Far as the Eye Can See! (Hyogo)

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA

Awaji Hanasajiki Flower Park is located in the hilly lowland northern region of Awajishima Island, off the coast of Kobe. The 15 hectares of spacious parkland brims with blooming flowers throughout the year, with early May presenting a type of poppy known in Japan as ‘hinageshi.’

To celebrate these wonderful views, a Poppy Festival is held between the viewing period of around the end of April/the beginning of May, allowing visitors to explore a vast field filled with vivid white, yellow, orange, pink, and red poppies. You'll love seeing the over 66,000 poppies swaying in the sea breeze - a truly unforgettable sight!

Cafe Information: Galleri

Cafe Information: Galleri

Galleri, which means ‘viewing box’ in Danish, serves the traditional Danish ‘smorrebrod’ open sandwich, organic tea from Mighty Leaf, and more. There is also an outside balcony with 46 seats, allowing diners to relish views of the flower fields while enjoying drinks and food.
・Hours: 10 AM - 4 PM (last order 3 PM)
・TEL:0799-75-3710

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA
  • Awaji Hanasajiki
    兵庫県立公園あわじ花さじき
    • Address 2805-7 Kusumoto, Awaji-shi, Hyogo 656-2301
    • Nearest Station Car:
      - From Kobe: Roughly 12 minutes (approx. 7km) from the Awaji Interchange on Prefectural Highway 157
      - From the south: Roughly 10 minutes from the Higashiura Interchange (approx. 4km)
      Paid parking: 200 yen (passenger car)

      Train/Bus:
      From JR Maikokoen Station, take the express bus to the Higashiura Bus Terminal and then take a taxi (approx. 5km)

      Boat:
      Ride the high-speed ferry from Akashiko Port to Iwaya Port, then take a taxi (approx. 9km)
    • Phone Number 0799-74-6426
    • ・Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM (Last entry: 4:30 PM)
      ・Admission: Free
      ・Closed: New Years

Recommended place to stay nearby

  • kotobukian 寿庵
    • Address 楠本684-1, Awaji, Hyogo, 656-2301
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Maiko Station (JR Kobe Line / JR San-yo Line)

    Vacancy search, reservation

    Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

2. Osaka Maishima Seaside Park: A Sea of Platinum Blue Flowers! (Osaka)

2. Osaka Maishima Seaside Park: A Sea of Platinum Blue Flowers! (Osaka)

Set against the scenery of Osaka Bay, this 4.4-hectare park bursts with a collection of over 1 million bunches of nemophila ‘baby blue eyes’ flowers - the largest collection in Japan's midwestern region of Kansai.

These flowers are around 20cm tall, splitting off into several thin stems of dazzling platinum blue flowers. Every year, a festival is held with a special space set up with kids' activities to celebrate.

Osaka Maishima Seaside Park Nemophila Festival 2024
  • Dates: April 6 - May 6, 2024
  • Hours: Weekdays: 10 AM - 5 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM); Weekends and holidays: 9 AM - 6:30 PM (Last admission at 6 PM) *Open on May 6, 9 AM - 5 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)

Cafe Information: Cafe Maido (Maishima Pottery Museum)

Nemo-chan Parfait (Image)
Nemo-chan Parfait (Image)

Being a part of the Maishima Pottery Museum, this relaxing, stylish cafe is tastefully decorated with beautiful hand-crafted pottery. Serving pancakes, pasta, and pilaf, along with a variety of drinks, it’s a great space to unwind and recharge. There is also an outside balcony with 46 seats for days with pleasant weather.

・Hours: Weekdays: 10 AM - 4 PM; Weekends: 10 AM - 5 PM
・Closed: Fridays (open if public holiday, open every day during the Nemophila Festival)
・TEL:06-6463-7282

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA
  • Osaka Maishima Seaside Park
    大阪まいしまシーサイドパーク
    • Address 2-1 Hokkoryokuchi, Konohana-ku, Osaka, 554-0042
    • Nearest Station Car:
      5 minutes from the Wangan-Maishima Interchange via the Hanshin Expressway No.5 Wangan Route. Paid parking (700 yen, 1,800 spots)
      *For GPS information, search for the Maishima Pottery Museum (06-6463-7282)

      Train/Bus:
      - From Nishikujo Station, board the JR Yumesaki Line and get off at Sakurajima Station. Ride the Maishima Active Bus (Hokko Sightseeing Bus) for 15 minutes until the Hotel Lodge Maishima-Mae bus stop.
      - Alternatively, get off at Cosmosquare Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line and board the Cosmo Dream Line Bus (Hokko Sightseeing Bus) for 20 minutes and disembark at the Hotel Lodge Maishima-Mae bus stop.
    • Phone Number 06-4804-5828
    • ・Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM
      ・Admission: Adults (Junior-high school and over): 1,500 yen; Children (4 years - elementary school): 500 yen
      ・Closed: Fridays

Recommended place to stay nearby

  • Hotel Lodge Maishima
    • Address Konohana-ku Hokko Ryokuchi 2-3-75 , Osaka, Osaka, 554-0042
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Kosumosukuea Station (Chuo Line / Nanko Port Town Line)

    Vacancy search, reservation

    Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

3. Shiga Blumen Hugel Farm: A Enchanting Park of Roses and Pansies (Shiga)

3. Shiga Blumen Hugel Farm: A Enchanting Park of Roses and Pansies (Shiga)

Designed upon the architecture of a quaint German town, the charming Shiga Blumen Hugel Farm boasts a stunning assortment of flowers throughout the year. With an athletic park, petting zoo, and more, each area of the park offers visitors a different way to enjoy the outdoors.

One of the biggest highlights is the ‘Flower Area,’ which presents an assortment of roses, pansies, nemophila, and violets. During Golden Week, the atmosphere is given an extra kick of energy with live performances and more! Please check the official website for further details.

Fast Food: Machi Cafe

Fast Food: Machi Cafe

A stylish cafeteria-based fast food outlet. With popular classics like pizza and soft-serve ice cream available for takeout, you can bring your food out onto the terrace or set up a picnic in the park.
・Hours: Same as Hill of Blume
・Closed: Same as Hill of Blume

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA
  • Shiga Blumen Hugel Farm
    滋賀農業公園ブルーメの丘
    • Address 843 Nishioji, Hino-cho, Gamo-gun, Shiga 529-1628
    • Nearest Station Car:
      20 minutes from the Gamo Smart Interchange on the Meishin Expressway. Parking is free (2,000 spots)

      Train/Bus:
      Take the Omi Bus (heading for Kitabataguchi) from the south exit of JR Omihachiman Station. After a 50-minute ride, disembark at Habanocho and walk for 10 minutes
    • Phone Number 0748-52-2611
    • ・Hours: Mar-Nov: Weekdays 10 AM - 5 PM, Weekends and National Holidays 9:30 AM - 5 PM; Dec-Feb: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM
      ・Admission: Adults (Middle School and above) 1,500 yen, Children (4 years to Elementary) 800 yen, Infants (3 and under) free
      ・Closed: Mar-Nov: Wednesdays; Dec-Feb: Weekdays

4. Hana no Juutan: Over 100 Million 'Shibazakura' Moss Phlox Flowers! (Hyogo)

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA

Celebrated for its lawn-like field of gorgeous moss phlox flowers, the Shibazakura Park: Hana no Juutan is the pride and joy of Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture.

The park’s numerous sloping hills turn completely pink during early May, enveloping visitors in a nourishing fragrance, making for pleasant walks and endless photo opportunities. Visitors are also allowed to bring dogs on a leash and are free to pack food for a picnic.

Generally, the peak period to enjoy this phenomenon is between mid-April to early May.

Photo: PIXTA
Photo: PIXTA
  • Shibazakura Park: Hana no Juutan
    芝桜園 花のじゅうたん
    • Address 170 Eitakuji, Sanda-shi, Hyogo 669-1502
    • Nearest Station Car:
      25km from the Nishinomiya-Kita Interchange or the Kobe-Sanda Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway. 13km from the Tannan-Sasayamaguchi Interchange or 22km from the Sanda-Nishi Interchange on the Maizuru Wakasa Expressway.

      Train/Bus:
      Take the bus heading towards Moshi/Ochibara Valley from Sanda Station. After a 40-minute ride, get off at Eitakuji and walk 1 minute.
    • Phone Number 079-566-0446
    • ・Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM (6 PM on weekends and holidays)
      ・Admission: Adults 600 yen, Children (Elementary school): 300 yen
      ・Closed: Open daily during regular season (mid-April - early May)

Recommended place to stay nearby

5. Sandai Shrine: Waterfalls of Purple Wisteria (Shiga)

5. Sandai Shrine: Waterfalls of Purple Wisteria (Shiga)

Located within Kusatsu City in Shiga, the Sandai Shrine boasts a 400-year-old ‘noda-fuji’ wisteria tree with huge, sweeping branches. Nicknamed the ‘sand-sweeper’ due to its branches touching the ground, crowds of spectators flock to witness its light-purple flowers bloom between late April to early May. Usually, a Wisteria Festival is held during Golden Week.

  • Sandai Shrine
    三大神社
    • Address 309 Shinacho, Kusatsu-shi, Shiga 525-0005
    • Nearest Station Car:
      A roughly 25-minute drive from the Kusatsu-Tanakami Interchange on the Shin-Meishin Expressway. Also a 25-minute drive from the Meishin Ritto Interchange or Seta-nishi Interchange on the Meishin Expressway

      Train:
      Get off at Kusatsu Station on the JR Biwako Line and take a 10-minute bus ride to Kitaogaya and walk an additional 5 minutes
    • ・TEL: 077-566-3219 (Kusatsu City Tourist Association)
      ・Open: Visitors are free to enter the grounds as they wish
      ・Admission: Visiting the grounds is free, however, there is a 200 yen donation during the wisteria season of late April to early May.

As all of these flower fields and attractions are in the suburbs and countryside of Japan, access can be a bit tricky! However, if you have the means and time, you’ll be glad you made the effort!

Best of all, the large, open spaces allow an escape from city life, and the stunning assortment of flowers will enthrall nature-lovers and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Please make sure to take proper virus countermeasures before visiting (mask, hand sanitizer, temperature checks), and have a safe and fun spring!

*All prices include tax
**This article was originally reported and photographed in April 2021 and updated in February 2023. Flower blooming periods and event schedules and details are subject to change.

Written by:
WESTPLAN
WESTPLAN

Kiko Matsuda, Keiko Kimura, Risa Tsuji, and a team of female writers familiar with Kansai. We love eating, drinking and traveling! We share fun information based on our experiences.

*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.

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