Himawari (向日葵) is Japanese for sunflowers. Sunflowers are well-loved in Japan for their vibrant appearance and symbolism of summer. Discover the best sunflower fields in Japan and their significance in Japanese culture in this article.
Table of Contents
- What is Himawari (向日葵)?
- When is Himawari season in Japan?
- Best Sunflower Fields in Japan to Visit
- Himawari as a Japanese Name
What is Himawari (向日葵)?
Himawari (向日葵) is the Japanese word for sunflower. tt is also commonly written in Hiragana only as “ひまわり”. Sunflowers are known for their large, bright yellow flowers that resemble the sun. They are native to North and South America but can also be found in other parts of the world including Japan where large expansive sunflower fields can be found.
In Japanese culture, the sunflower is often associated with positivity, happiness, and vitality due to its resemblance to the sun and its cheerful appearance. The name Himawari is derived from “日廻り (Hi Mawari)”, 日 (Hi) meaning “sun” and 廻り (Mawari) meaning “rotate”. This is because the sunflower rotates towards the sun.
Himawari means sunflower, but can also mean “a blossom that faces the sun”. The Kanji for sunflowers, 向日葵 (Himawari), can be broken down into:
- 向 from 向かう (Mukau) meaning “to face”
- 日 (Hi) meaning “sun”
- 葵 (Aoi) that represents the Mallow flower family, but also means “to bloom in all directions”
A rarely used alternate name for Himawari is 葵花 (Kika).
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When is Himawari season in Japan?
The sunflower season in Japan is typically from mid to late summer. Flowers start to bloom in mid to late July, and peak in August to September, depending on region and weather conditions.
The vibrantly yellow fields of sunflowers with their large heads bobbing in the summer breeze makes for a touching and impressive landscape. Many sunflower events and festivals are held during this time and bring visitors from across Japan to enjoy the cheerful flowers and take part in various activities. There are even places that allow picking of sunflowers.
Best Sunflower Fields in Japan to Visit
There are several famous sunflower fields in Japan that are worth visiting during the season. Here are some of them.
1. [Hokkaido] Hokuryu Sunflower Village
Best Time to Visit: mid-July to third week of August
Hokuryu Sunflower Village (北竜町ひまわりの里) in Uryu District, Hokkaido Prefecture is one of the largest sunflower fields in Japan. Every year, it attracts numerous visitors during the peak season. The sight of endless rows of sunflowers stretching across the horizon makes for a breathtaking view.
2. [Yamanashi] Akeno Sunflower Field
Best Time to Visit: late July to late August
Akeno Sunflower Field (明野の向日葵畑) in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture has over 400,000 sunflowers spread out with a backdrop of the Yatsugatake Mountains. The annual Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival (北杜市明野サンフラワーフェス) is held around mid July to the last week of August is one of the highlights of summer in the area. Make sure to try the sunflower seed ice cream.
3. [Kanagawa] Zama Sunflower Field
Best Time to Visit: mid August
Zama Sunflower Field (座間ひまわり畑) in Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture is one of 100 best places to see flowers in Kanagawa. It is also the biggest sunflower field in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area. The sunflower field consists of over 550,000 sunflowers in 5.5 hectares. An annual sunflower festival is held here in August. Another festival is also held in Kurihara during late July.
4. [Osaka] Nagai Botanical Garden
Best Time to Visit: mid July to early September
Yokosuka Soleil Hill at Nagai Botanical Garden (大阪市立長居植物園) in Nagai Park, Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka Prefecture is home to over 100,000 sunflowers. Every year, the Soleil Sunflower Festival is held, drawing crowds that gather to see the cheerful sunflower blossoms. A seaside park, you can catch the sprawling sunflower field with a view of the blue sea. A ferris wheel in the distance also makes for a beautiful photo.
5. [Hyogo] Sunflower Hill Park
Best Time to Visit: late July to mid August
Sunflower Hill Park (ひまわりの丘公園) in Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture has around 400,000 sunflowers spread out over 8 hectares. The park has large playground areas with large-scale playground equipment for children, and even includes a fountain area. It is also famous for cosmos during autumn.
6. [Hiroshima] Serakogen Farm
Best Time to Visit: August
Serakogen Farm (世羅高原農場) in Sera District, Hiroshima Prefecture has an impressive sunflower field that though only 6.5 hectares large consists of 1.1 million sunflowers. There are multiple observation decks to enjoy the spectacular field and even sunflower mazes and flower-picking areas. Just strolling the farm takes up to 2 hours! The himawari festival is held around late July to the end of August.
Other famous sunflower fields in Japan include:
- Sakura Furusato Square in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture - great for a daytrip from Tokyo
- Nayoro Chiebun Sunflower Farm in Nayoro, Hokkaido - over 5 million sunflowers over 60 hectares
- Chikusei Sunflower Village in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture - over 1 million sunflowers of the Yaehimawari species over 5 hectares
- Nagasakibana Sunflower Field at Cape Nagasakibana, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture - 1.4 million sunflowers over the cape with an ocean view
Himawari as a Japanese Name
In Japan, Himawari symbolizes nobility, positivity, adoration and longevity. The name Himawari evokes the radiant beauty of the sunflower, as such, it is a popular name for girls as it reflects a desire for her to embody these qualities. To shine brightly like a sunflower, and spread warmth and happiness to those around her. It's a name that carries a sense of optimism and natural beauty, making it a popular choice among parents in Japan. A popular anime character with the name Himawari is Uzumaki Himawari from Boruto.
A similar name to Himawari is Himari (陽葵) that means “full of energy like the sun” and reflects parents’ desire for their daughter to grow up like a sunflower. It is the most popular name for baby girls in Japan for 7 years in a row, as of 2023.
For other popular Japanese names and their meanings, check this article.
To Close
To recap, Himawari (向日葵) is the Japanese word for sunflower. Himawari has many cultural significance in Japan. In addition, there are many wonderful sunflower fields in Japan that locals and tourists can both enjoy the beauty and glamour that is brought by cheery yellow sunflowers.
