During summer, cheerful sunflowers grow in abundance in various places across Japan, and one great place to enjoy them in all their glory is at Hyogo's Nanko Sunflower Festival. From mid to late July, around one and a half million sunflowers stand tall and proud for visitors to marvel at. There are also a host of sunflower-themed eats to try, including sunflower soft-serve ice cream.
Be sure to check the official website before attending, as the festival dates can fluctuate slightly each year depending on the blooming conditions. The exact dates are typically confirmed closer to the event's commencement.
Getting there
The Nanko Sunflower Festival is located around the Nanko Sports Park area. It can be accessed in around 25 minutes on foot from the JR Harima Tokusa Station. Shuttle buses are also usually available during the blooming season.
Alternatively, for those who plan to drive to the event, it’s about an hour and a half from central Kobe, or about 50 minutes from the Himeji area. On-site parking is available.
