Lavender is one of the many flowers found blooming seasonally in Japan. Lavender fields typically bloom in June.
In many places, this offers just as much unique seasonal celebration as cherry blossom season, with unique treats and a festival atmosphere.
If you are interested in visiting the famed lavender fields in the summer, here are some of the best lavender fields in Japan.
Please note Hokkaido has the most beautiful and popular lavender fields in Japan but we will start with the ones that are situated on mainland Japan. Enjoy!
1. Tambara Lavender Park, Gunma Prefecture
Tambara Lavender Park is the largest lavender park in the Kanto region of Japan. The park is only open when the lavender blooms, typically from early July to the end of August.
There are approximately 50,000 lavender plants of different varieties including early, mid and late blooming lavenders.
Besides the famous lavender, you can also find daylilies and sunflowers. There are many cafes and restaurants to be found in the park. Be sure to try the park’s famous Lavender Soft Ice Cream! You can also find many lavender goods at the shops in the park.
This is a great location for families, as it has a playground for kids. If you have your dog along, there is even a dog run!
To get to Tambara Lavender Park, take a train to JR Numata Station, then take a bus to the park. Entry costs 1200 yen.
2. Lake Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture
This annual flower event (Fuji Kawaguchiko Herb Festival) occurs on the picturesque shores of Lake Kawaguchiko at Oishi Park with a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji in the distance.
The festival area is famous for many flowers throughout the seasons and lavender is in bloom from mid-June to mid-July. Usually, this festival is held at two parks, Oishi Park, located on the northern shore and Yagisaki Park, located on the southern shore of lake Kawaguchiko.
Thousands of purple lavender flowers bloom near the lake, making the area a stunning place to behold. At the festival, you can find many booths selling food- including lavender soft-serve ice cream and lavender-themed souvenirs.
If you want to spend a memorable summer day outside Tokyo, take a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko to see magnificent view of the lavender fields and Mount Fuji.
Entry is free. To get there, it’s wise to get a JR East Mount Fuji Round Trip Ticket, which will take you to Otsuki station. From there go to Kawaguchi on a private train line. It’s takes about 30 minutes from Kawaguchiko Statation by bus.
3. Arakogawa Park, Aichi Prefecture
Arakogawa Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Nagoya city in summer. The park has over 5,000 lavender plants that bloom from early to mid-June every year.
At its best in mid-June, the brief window to view the lavender in bloom (usually about 9 days) is a calming experience.
Enjoy strolling through the flowers while bumblebees buzz about. Besides, you will find a magnificent Japanese garden in this park.
It’s typically quite humid, so be prepared! Arakogawa Park is located a few minutes’ walk from Arakogawa-koen Station on the Aonami Line.
4. Sennen no Sono, Saitama Prefecture
Located in a beautiful rural town of Saitama Prefecture, Sennen no Sono is the biggest lavender field in Japan. This small town is called Ranzen where The Ranzen Lavender Festival takes place.
The town can be easily accessed by a direct train from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station. The one way ride will take about an hour.
Eight hectares of land is used to cultivate lavender here. In 2019, some parts of the field were damaged by typhoon Hagibis. The best time to view lavender in this lavender garden is between late June and early July.
Plenty of lavenders are on display, making your trip enjoyable and memorable. Delicate fragrances and rows of lavender decorate the fields every summer.
Even though the history of its lavender cultivation is not long compared to the other fields featured here in this article, still you will be astonished how organize it is and beautifully presented by the farmers.
This is without question is an extraordinary sight to behold. During the festival, visitors can get food and drink there and they do offer you a flower picking event.
Musashi-Ranzan Station is the nearest train station to the lavender field. From the station to the field is about a 40-mintue walk. Alternatively, you can take a 20-mintue bus ride.
Please note it is prohibited to park on the roads around the fields.
5. Farm Tomita, Hokkaido
At 20 hectares with 12 flower fields, Farm Tomita is a highly appealing lavender farm that blooms from June to late August and considered one of the best lavender fields in Hokkaido. There is nothing quite like the vast lavender fields you’ll find here.
The lush Tachidake mountain range rises in the background, making for some unique photo ops. “Color scheme field” is a beautiful sight, where bands of differently colored flowers bloom side by side.
“Flower viewer field” is another wonderful view with flowers ranging from spring to fall flowers. As you stroll through the flowers, you’ll likely end up in the “Field of happiness”, full of various varieties of lavender with their calming colors and scents.
Besides the fields, you can also enjoy various lavender and farm treats, as well as pick up some lavender souvenirs. You can also visit the “Perfume House” to see how lavender is turned into various scented products. Take the chance to make your own scented bookmark!
To get to Far Tomita, take a train to the temporary Lavender Farm Station, only used between June 10 and September 25. The farm is a seven-minute walk from the station. Entry is free.
6. Choei Lavender Park & Hokuseiayama Ski Area, Hokkaido
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This beautiful farm in the Nakafurano area is a small hill covered in colourful flowers. In summer, four kinds of flowers bloom here: lavender, sunflower, marigold, and salvia. There are multiple kinds of lavender here.
There is a single chair lift that offers a great view (in winter, it carried skiers and snowboarders up the snowy slopes). The Nakafurano Lavender Festival occurs here in mid-July. You can enjoy stalls selling food and souvenirs, as well as the beautiful flower fields!
Entry costs 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children for the ski lift. Parking is located at the base of the hill.
7. Lavender East, Hokkaido
Lavender East is one of the largest lavender fields in Japan. Once, this area was home to rice paddies, but now it is home to lavender fields used to make perfume.
You can enjoy food and lavender soft-serve ice cream here, as well as view the field from an observation deck in the center as well as walk through paths near the flowers. Tour the field on the lavender bus.
Mid-July is the best time to view lavender here.
To get here, take the special Furano-Biei Norokko-go train on the JR Furano Line and get off at Lavender-Batake Station. This train service only operates in the summer.
Direct access to this lavender field by public transportation is not provided. Many tourists come to see Farm Tomita, Lavender East and other nearby flower fields by day bus tours operated by private bus companies from Sapporo Bus Station.
8. Horomitoge Lavender Garden, Hokkaido
Located within Sapporo, this lavender field is a great choice for visitors on a tight schedule. If you can’t manage to visit Furano’s iconic lavender fields, this is a perfect alternative.
The brilliant lavender fields sit above the city so you can look out onto it. It’s a truly beautiful sight. You can pick up various lavender souvenirs here.
There are no direct routes to the Horomitoge Lavender Garden, but you can reach its nearest subway station called Maruyama Koen Station. From there, you can hire a taxi and it will take you there within 15 minutes.
9. Hinode Park, Hokkaido
Considered the birthplace of lavender in Japan, there is nothing quite like this garden. It offers a 360-degree view of lavender, other colorful flowers, and mountains in the distance.
There is a hilltop observatory that offers the best views. You can see the entire Furano Basin from there. In summer, a nearby auto-camp site can be found, making it a great spot to stage all your exploring of the area from.
To get to Hinode Park Lavender Garden, take a train to JR Kamifurano Station, then take a taxi to the field.
10. Highland Furano, Hokkaido
If you want a truly relaxing experience, go to Highland Furano. Here, you will find the only onsen- hot sprint baths- with a lavender view.
Enjoy the brilliant color of a lavender field while soaking in the open-air bath. This quiet hotel can be found outside Furano downtown. The hot spring it uses is the only natural hot spring in Furano. The “Lavender Sea” located outside the hotel can be viewed for free.
A visit to Highland Furano is a quiet experience, with a much less touristy atmosphere than many other lavender locations.
To get to Highland Furano, take a train to Furano Station, then take a bus or taxi 15 or 30 minutes respectively to the hotel.
11. Sasaki Farm (Saika no Sato), Hokkaido
Saika no Sato is found in the town of Nakafurano. It is open from June to September, though July is the best time for the lavender bloom.
This impressive flower garden is about 6 hectares featuring different kinds of summer flowers including 8 different kinds of lavender plants.
You can see the colorful flower fields in full bloom from the observation deck. Enjoy food and shopping at the garden’s restaurant and souvenir shop.
Admission and parking are free.
