Summer is the season of the most brilliant blooming flowers in Japan. Among them, sunflowers are the most familiar flowers to the people of the "land of the rising sun", blooming from July to August. Coming to Japan at this time, visitors can see sunflowers blooming everywhere. In Ibaraki province, there will be a "sunflower festival" event held in two cities, Chikusei city and Naka city. In addition, Ibaraki also attracts visitors with many different types of flowers.
Akeno Sunflower Festival
The sunflowers blooming in the “Akeno Sunflower Village - Miyayamafurusatofureai Park” area in Chikusei City are characterized by their many overlapping petals, and here they are mainly the rare Japanese Yae sunflower variety. The very characteristic petals also appeared in the masterpiece “Sunflowers” by the talented artist Van Gogh, so many visitors may have heard of them. There are also many other popular sunflower varieties mixed here, so visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of many types of sunflowers. This is a great sightseeing spot where visitors can enjoy the idyllic scenery with the majestic Mount Tsukuba in the background.
Sunflower Field in Kuramochi Area, Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture Location: 504 Miyayama, Chikusei City Access: (Train/bus) From Shimodate Station on the JR Mito Line, about 10 minutes by taxi (Car): About 30 minutes from Tsuchiura Kita IC on the Joban Expressway, or about 20 minutes from Sakuragawa Chikusei IC on the Kita Kanto Expressway Park closed: Monday (if it falls on a public holiday, it will be closed on the next weekday) Estimated period: Mid-August ~ early September
Grand Terrace Chikusei Rest Area
After admiring the Akeno sunflower field, the next place we want visitors to visit is the “Grand Terrance Chikusei” complex, which was just inaugurated last year. Here, on a large land area, not only agricultural products and souvenirs are sold, but also many restaurants of all kinds are gathered. There are plenty of toys and a children’s play area, making it a great place for the whole family to have fun. Location: 1850 Kawasumi, Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture Access: (Train/bus) About 20 minutes on foot from Shimodate Station on the JR Mito Line (Car) About 10 minutes from Sakuragawa Chikusei IC on the Kita Kanto Expressway Opening hours: 9:00～18:00 (until 19:00 in June～August) Closed: 3rd Wednesday of every month Admission: Free (some areas charge)
Naka Sunflower Festival
Naka City, near Mito City, has chosen sunflowers as its city flower. Every summer, around the city's general park, 250,000 sunflowers bloom in a field of about 4 hectares, brightening up the entire area. The paths are arranged like a maze in the sunflower field, where both adults and children can have a good time. In addition, from the observation deck, visitors can gaze out over an endless field of sunflowers.
Sunflower fields around Naka General Park Location: 428-2 Tozaki, Naka City Access: (Train/bus) From Kamisugaya Station on the JR Mito Line, about 20 minutes by taxi (Car) About 10 minutes from Naka IC on the Joban Expressway Park closed: Monday (if it falls on a holiday, it will be closed on the next weekday) Estimated period: Mid-August ~ late August
Hitachi Seaside Park
Visitors can also enjoy sunflowers at Hitachi Seaside Park, famous for its Nemophila flowers and Kokia grass. Visitors can enjoy various types of sunflowers at Miharashi no Sato or Izumi no Hiroba Flower Garden inside the park. At the same time, when Kokia grows, the park also holds a light festival in the evening, in which over 30,000 Kokia trees on Miharashi no Oka Hill are illuminated with magical lights. 
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