Seasonal Festival 1: Hokuryu-cho Sunflower Festival in Hokkaido

Calm blue sky, puffy marshmellow clouds, a million sunflowers – the three elements which form the ever-picturesque view on various print and digital medias, were presented right before me at the Hokuryu-cho Sunflower Festival in Hokkaido. This biggest sunflower field in Japan transformed into a huge yellow landscape in the Hokuryu town every summer, with its annual Himawari (Sunflower) Festival held from mid-July to end-August.

Apart from the breathtaking view, I had a memorable time running along the paths of these sunny smiley blooms in the maze and taking lots of selfies. The sunflowers are such photogenic plants!

The yellow landscape from afar!

Such breathtaking views…..

A kawaii girl posing for her dad! Great modelling potential!

Hokuryu-cho Sunflower Festival

Venue: ひまわり観光センター & 駐車場, 北海道雨竜郡北竜町板谷１４３－２
143-2 Itaya, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido

Directions: From JR Takikawa Station, take the Chuo Bus to Hokuryu (40 mins ride) and alight at Hokuryu Chugakko Mae. 3 minutes walk to the sunflower field.
We rented a car and drove from Sapporo, which took us approximately 1.5 hours.

Charges: Admission to the festival is free. 300 yen to enter the maze. Scenic rides are available at 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.

There are also a few stores set up in the hall next to the field, selling some foodstuff, cold desserts and sun flowers-related merchandise.

Operating hours: 8am to 6pm

• Sunflowers thrive best in sunny environment, so do expect a hot and sweaty weather at the sunflower field and stay well protected in the sun!
• Bring along a paper hand fan.
• These lovely blooms are attractive to the bees and other small flies as well. Beware while walking in the maze and you may like to bring along your insert repellent.
  

~Miwa~