My name is MAKO
Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido | Born and raised in Obihiro, Hokkaido | Lover of Sapporo Classic beer and fresh sashimi | Passionate about road trips and camping | Always chasing beautiful scenery
Why Is Hokuryu Town Famous for Sunflowers?The Short Answer
Hokuryu Town is famous for its enormous Sunflower Village, where around 2 million sunflowers cover more than 23 hectares of rolling farmland each summer. But this golden landscape did not begin as a tourist attraction—it started with an idea brought home from Europe in 1979 and grew through decades of community effort.
Why You Should Care
Imagine standing on a small hill in rural Hokkaido.
In front of you, almost everything is yellow.
Sunflowers stretch across the landscape, the green hills rise behind them, and a little tractor slowly moves through the flowers.
It is easy to look at this view and think, “Hokkaido simply has a great place for growing sunflowers.”
But that is not the whole story.
The Hokuryu Town sunflowers are here because local farmers, families, students, businesses, and town workers spent decades turning one idea into a symbol of their community.
When you know that story before visiting, those 2 million flowers look very different.
How Did Hokuryu Town Become Hokkaido’s Sunflower Town?
The story begins far away from Hokkaido.
In 1979, an employee of Hokuryu’s agricultural cooperative joined a study trip to Europe. Near Belgrade in what was then Yugoslavia, he saw huge fields of sunflowers grown for sunflower oil.
He was impressed not only by their beauty, but also by the possibility of using sunflowers as a healthy food product.
The First Sunflowers Were About Health, Not Tourism
At the time, women in Hokuryu’s farming community were already working on a local campaign focused on improving family diets and protecting health.
The idea of producing sunflower oil fit naturally with that movement.
In 1980, Hokuryu launched a campaign encouraging farming households to plant about one are—100 square meters—of sunflowers each. A total of 422 households participated, creating about 4.2 hectares of sunflower fields across the town.
That is an important part of the story.
Hokuryu did not originally plant sunflowers to attract tourists.
They were connected to agriculture, food, and the health of local families.
How Sunflowers Became the Symbol of Hokuryu Town
The idea quickly grew beyond food production.
In 1982, the sunflower became Hokuryu Town’s official flower.
Then, in 1987, the town held its first Sunflower Festival.
By this point, the sunflower was becoming more than a crop.
It was becoming part of Hokuryu’s identity.
You can still see that today. Sunflower images appear around the town, and even local agricultural products carry the sunflower name.
A Natural Disaster Helped Create Sunflower Village
Here is the surprising part.
One of Hokkaido’s most beautiful flower landscapes partly grew out of a disaster.
In 1988, localized heavy rain severely damaged the sunflower crop. About half of the sunflowers were affected before harvest.
Instead of giving up after years of work, the community began thinking about creating a dedicated sunflower field that could also become a tourist attraction.
Sunflower Village Was Born in 1989
The following year, land along National Route 275 became available for management.
Hokuryu leased about six hectares and began creating what would become Himawari no Sato—Sunflower Village.
This was not a project built by one company.
Agricultural cooperative members brought tractors. Young members of the local business community helped. Town employees and residents joined in, even bringing their own hoes to remove weeds and prepare the fields.
That community effort is perhaps the real reason Hokuryu became famous for sunflowers.
The flowers became something the entire town could build together.
How Hokuryu Sunflower Village Grew to 2 Million Flowers
Sunflower Village did not start at its current size.
Over the years, the fields gradually expanded.
By 2003, the site had grown to 20.8 hectares. In 2006, it reached 23.13 hectares, roughly the size of five Tokyo Domes.
Today, around 2 million sunflowers bloom across the rolling landscape, making Hokuryu one of Japan’s largest sunflower destinations. The town says the annual festival attracts more than 200,000 visitors.
The numbers are impressive.
But when you visit, it is the scale you remember.
From the viewpoint, the flowers seem to form a giant yellow carpet over the hills.
Why Hokuryu’s “World Sunflower Corner” Has a Special Story
Do not walk past the World Sunflower Corner thinking it is simply another flower garden.
Its story began with trouble.
In 1990, birds damaged young sunflower plants. To save the fields, tens of thousands of replacement seedlings were prepared.
Around 350 local residents and all 150 students from Hokuryu Junior High School helped transplant them. That experience later led to the creation of the World Sunflower Corner as an educational project.
Local Students Still Help Grow Sunflowers From Around the World
Today, students from Hokuryu Junior High School continue to help cultivate unusual sunflower varieties.
The current attraction features around 24 varieties, including flowers with different colors, petal shapes, and appearances.
This is one of my favorite details about Hokuryu.
The next generation is not simply inheriting the sunflower tradition.
They are helping grow it.
What Makes Hokuryu Sunflower Village So Beautiful?
Size is part of the answer.
But the landscape matters too.
The sunflower fields spread across gently rolling farmland, allowing you to see layers of yellow flowers rather than just one flat field.
Walk uphill, and the view gradually opens.
Then turn around.
Suddenly, you can see an enormous part of the field at once.
This is why I recommend visiting the observation areas before leaving.
A photo taken at ground level shows individual flowers.
A photo taken from above shows why Hokuryu became Japan’s sunflower town.
What Can You Do at Hokuryu Sunflower Village?
The flowers are the main attraction, but you can spend much longer here than you might expect.
Ride the Sunflower-go Tractor
The colorful Sunflower-go sightseeing tractor takes visitors around the huge grounds.
It is especially useful on hot days or when traveling with children or older family members. The ride also gives you a different view of the flowers without having to walk the entire area.
Get Lost in a Sunflower Maze
You can also walk into a real sunflower maze.
Instead of looking across the flowers, you suddenly find yourself surrounded by plants taller than you are.
It is a completely different experience—and especially fun for families.
Try Sunflower Soft Serve
After walking through the fields, stop at the Sunflower Tourist Center.
One of the local summer treats is sunflower soft serve, a fitting dessert after spending an afternoon surrounded by flowers.
You can also look for local specialties such as Hokuryu Sunflower Melon and Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon.
When Is the Best Time to See Hokuryu Town Sunflowers?
The sunflower season is relatively short.
The Sunflower Festival generally takes place from mid-July through August, although the exact flowering peak changes with the weather.
For 2026, the official Sunflower Festival ran from July 20 to August 18.
For future trips, I recommend checking the official flowering updates shortly before you travel.
A difference of one or two weeks can completely change the landscape.
Please check the official website for the latest information.
My Recommended Itinerary for Hokuryu Sunflower Village
Hokuryu Town is about 3.5 hours by car from New Chitose Airport and around 2.5 hours from Sapporo. I recommend spending one night in the area so you can enjoy the sunflower fields without feeling rushed.
Day 1 – Travel to Hokuryu Town
From New Chitose Airport
- Arrive at New Chitose Airport
- Pick up a rental car
- Drive to Hokuryu Town (about 3.5 hours)
- Visit Hokuryu Sunflower Village
- Stay overnight in Fukagawa or Asahikawa
From Sapporo
- Leave Sapporo in the morning
- Drive to Hokuryu Town (about 2.5 hours)
- Spend the afternoon exploring the sunflower fields
- Stay overnight nearby
Day 2 – Explore Central Hokkaido
After visiting the sunflower fields, continue your trip by exploring central Hokkaido.
You can visit Asahikawa, Biei, or Furano, or simply return to Sapporo or New Chitose Airport at a relaxed pace.
Did You Know?
- Hokuryu’s sunflower story began after a local agricultural cooperative employee saw sunflower fields near Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia in 1979.
- The original goal was connected to sunflower oil, food, and healthier family diets, not tourism.
- Sunflowers became Hokuryu Town’s official flower in 1982, five years before the first Sunflower Festival.
- Sunflower Village now covers 23.13 hectares and contains around 2 million flowers.
- The World Sunflower Corner grew from a community rescue effort after birds damaged young plants, and local junior high school students became part of the tradition.
FAQ
When Do the Sunflowers Bloom in Hokuryu?
The main season is usually from late July into August.
Flowering changes each year depending on temperature and weather, so check the official bloom information before making a special trip.
Is Hokuryu Sunflower Village Free?
General admission to Sunflower Village is free. Parking and some attractions, such as rides or special activities, may require a fee.
Please check the official website for the latest information.
How Many Sunflowers Are in Hokuryu?
Around 2 million sunflowers are planted across approximately 23 hectares.
How Long Should I Spend at Sunflower Village?
Allow around 1.5 to 3 hours.
Two hours is enough for the main viewpoints and a relaxed walk. Stay longer if you want to explore the maze, ride the tractor, take many photos, and enjoy local food.
Is Hokuryu Worth Visiting From Sapporo?
Yes—especially if you are traveling by rental car in summer.
It makes a beautiful countryside escape from Sapporo and can also fit naturally into a road trip through central or northern Hokkaido.
Visit It Yourself
Location
Hokuryu Sunflower Village (Himawari no Sato)
Itaya 143-2, Hokuryu Town, Uryu District, Hokkaido.
Best Season
Late July to August
Check current flowering conditions before visiting.
How to Get There
For overseas travelers, a rental car is the easiest option.
The official tourism association lists the drive at approximately:
- 80 minutes from Sapporo Station by expressway
- 40 minutes from Asahikawa Airport by expressway
- 2 hours from Furano by regular roads
During the Sunflower Festival, a highway bus from Sapporo may also stop near the venue. In 2026, the association listed a journey of about 2 hours 15 minutes from Sapporo. Service conditions can change each year.
Estimated Visit Time
1.5–3 hours
Admission Fee
General admission: Free
Parking and certain attractions may have separate charges. The 2026 official information listed parking for a standard car at ¥500.
Official Website
Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association
HOKKAIDO LOVE! – Hokuryu Sunflower Village
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Final Thoughts
Hokuryu’s sunflower fields are beautiful enough to visit without knowing anything about them.
But the story makes them better.
They began with one person seeing a field in Europe and thinking, “Could we do something like this in Hokuryu?”
That idea became a health movement.
Then a town flower.
Then a festival.
Then a field created by farmers, workers, students, and ordinary residents.
And eventually, it became a golden landscape of around 2 million flowers.
So when you stand above Sunflower Village and see yellow stretching toward the horizon, remember this:
You are not simply looking at flowers.
You are looking at more than 40 years of people choosing to grow something together.
And that may be the most beautiful thing about Hokuryu Town.
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