Hitachi Seaside Park (ひたち海浜公園, Hitachi Kaihin Kōen) stands as one of Japan’s most spectacular flower destinations, captivating visitors with its seasonal color transformations and vast floral displays. Located in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, this 190-hectare paradise has gained international fame for its striking panoramas that seem almost surreal in their beauty.
Location and Map
Hitachi Seaside Park is located approximately 130km northeast of Tokyo in Ibaraki Prefecture.
Address: 605-4 Onuma, Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0012, Japan
Official Park Website: https://hitachikaihin.jp/en/
A Year-Round Floral Calendar
What makes Hitachi Seaside Park truly special is its carefully curated seasonal plantings, ensuring spectacular displays throughout the year. The park transforms dramatically with each season, offering visitors entirely different experiences depending on when they visit.
Spring: The Blue Nemophila Season (Late April to Mid-May)
The most famous and photographed season at Hitachi Seaside Park features 4.5 million baby blue-eyes (Nemophila) flowers covering Miharashi Hill. This creates the park’s iconic “blue carpet” effect that has been featured in countless travel magazines and social media posts worldwide.
The Nemophila flowers blanket the 3.5-hectare Miharashi Hill in a mesmerizing sea of light blue that appears to merge with the sky above. The annual Nemophila Harmony festival during this period attracts thousands of visitors who come to witness this breathtaking natural spectacle.
Standing amidst these rolling blue hills creates an almost otherworldly experience—many visitors describe feeling as though they’re walking through a living painting or standing between two blue skies.
Summer: Sunflowers and Zinnias (July to August)
As summer arrives, the park transitions to warmer hues:
- Sunflowers: Approximately 30,000 sunflowers create fields of brilliant yellow
- Zinnias: Multi-colored zinnia fields add vibrant patches of color throughout the park
- Green Kochia: The famous kochia bushes (summer cypress) grow lush and green, preparing for their autumn transformation
The summer displays provide striking photo opportunities against the deep blue summer skies, with contrasting yellows and varied colors spreading across different sections of the park.
Autumn: The Kochia Red Hill (Early to Mid-October)
Perhaps the second most famous seasonal display after the blue Nemophila is the autumn transformation of approximately 32,000 kochia bushes (summer cypress) on Miharashi Hill. These round, bush-like plants turn from bright green to a spectacular fiery red as temperatures cool.
The Kochia Carnival held during this season celebrates this dramatic color change, creating hills of crimson that appear ablaze under the autumn sun. The contrast with the blue sky and surrounding autumn foliage makes this season particularly photogenic.
Winter: Illuminations and Winter Phlox (December to February)
The park maintains its charm even in winter:
- Winter illuminations: LED light displays create magical nighttime scenery
- Winter phlox: Creating patches of color even in the colder months
- Dried flower displays: Artistic arrangements throughout the park
Beyond the Flowers: Activities and Attractions
Hitachi Seaside Park offers much more than just flower viewing:
For Families and Children
- Pleasure Garden: Features 25 different amusement rides, including a 100-meter tall Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the park and Pacific Ocean
- Cycling: Rental bicycles available to explore the extensive cycling paths
- BMX Course: For more adventurous visitors
- Barbecue Areas: Reservable spaces for family gatherings
Nature Experiences
- Seaside Forest: Walking trails through natural woodlands
- Grassland Area: Preserving native Japanese grassland ecosystems
- Pacific Ocean Views: Beautiful coastal scenery along the eastern edge of the park
Cultural and Educational
- Flower School: Seasonal workshops on gardening and flower arrangement
- Event Plaza: Hosts seasonal festivals, markets, and cultural performances
- Forest Athletic Field: Nature-based obstacle courses and play areas
How to Reach Hitachi Seaside Park
From Tokyo
- By Train (Fastest Option):
- Take the JR Joban Line from Tokyo/Ueno Station to Katsuta Station (approximately 70-80 minutes on a limited express train)
- From Katsuta Station, take a local bus to Hitachi Seaside Park (approximately 15-20 minutes)
- By Highway Bus:
- Direct buses operate from Tokyo Station to Hitachi Seaside Park during peak flower seasons (reservation recommended)
- Travel time: Approximately 2 hours one-way
From Other Major Cities
- From Sendai: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Mito, then transfer to the JR Joban Line to Katsuta
- From Osaka/Kyoto: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo, then follow the route from Tokyo
By Car
- The park is accessible via the Kita-Kanto Expressway
- Take the Hitachinaka IC exit and follow signs to the park
- Ample parking is available (fees apply: approximately 520 yen for regular cars)
Best Times to Visit
Peak Seasons (Expect Crowds)
- Late April to Mid-May: Nemophila season
- Early to Mid-October: Kochia red season
Less Crowded but Still Beautiful
- Late May to June: Roses and poppies bloom
- July to August: Sunflowers and summer displays
- November: Late autumn colors and cosmos flowers
Tips for Visitors
- Arrive Early: During peak seasons, arriving before 9 AM helps avoid the largest crowds
- Visit on Weekdays: Significantly fewer visitors compared to weekends and holidays
- Check the Flower Calendar: The park’s official website updates flowering conditions regularly
- Consider Weather: Clear days offer the best contrast for photography, especially for the blue Nemophila against the sky
Entrance Information
- Regular Admission: 450 yen for adults, 210 yen for seniors, free for children under 15
- Pleasure Garden Rides: Additional fees apply for amusement rides
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (extended during special events)
- Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday), New Year’s period
Accommodation Options
While many visitors experience the park as a day trip from Tokyo, staying nearby allows for early morning visits when the lighting is best for photography and crowds are thinner.
Nearby Options
- Hotel Crystal Palace: Located in Hitachinaka, about 4 km from the park
- Hotel Terrace Inn Katsuta: Near Katsuta Station, convenient for park access
- Mito area hotels: More options available in nearby Mito City, with train connections to Katsuta
Seasonal Dining Experiences
The park features several restaurants and seasonal food stalls that incorporate local ingredients and themes that match the current flower displays:
- Restaurant Hana-Mizuki: Offers pasta dishes with edible flowers during spring
- Restaurant The Forest: Specializes in local Ibaraki beef and seasonal vegetables
- Food Stalls: During peak seasons, numerous vendors offer special items like Nemophila-blue soft serve ice cream or Kochia-red flavored treats
Photography Tips for Hitachi Seaside Park
Nemophila Season
- Golden Hours: Early morning or late afternoon provides softer light and fewer crowds
- Wide-Angle Lenses: Capture the sweeping views of blue hills meeting the sky
- Low Angles: Shooting from ground level creates the impression of an endless blue ocean
Kochia Season
- Midday Sun: Unlike many photography subjects, the midday sun actually enhances the vibrant red of the kochia
- Telephoto Compression: Creates dramatic images of the densely packed red bushes
- Contrast Shots: Frame the red kochia against the remaining green specimens for dramatic effect
Park Map and Navigation
The park is large (approximately 190 hectares), so planning your route is important, especially during peak flower seasons when certain areas attract more visitors.
You can download a detailed park map in English from the official website or pick one up at the entrance. The map is color-coded by season to help visitors identify which areas will be in bloom during their visit.
Key navigation points to remember:
- Miharashi Hill (where both Nemophila and Kochia are displayed) is about a 15-20 minute walk from the main entrance
- The West Gate is closer to Miharashi Hill if your primary goal is to see these famous displays
- A park shuttle bus operates during peak seasons (300 yen for a day pass)
- Bicycle rentals are available (adult bikes: 450 yen for 3 hours)
Less-Known Facts About Hitachi Seaside Park
- Ecological Mission: Beyond its beauty, the park serves as an important conservation area for native Japanese coastal plants
- Film Location: The park has been featured in numerous films, commercials, and music videos due to its otherworldly landscapes
- Flower Rotation System: Park gardeners use sophisticated planting schedules to ensure continuous blooms and to rest sections of soil between major displays
- Nemophila Origin: Though now symbolic of Japan, the baby blue-eyes flowers are actually native to North America and were introduced to Japan in the Meiji era
- Sustainable Practices: The park employs rainwater collection systems, composting, and minimal chemical usage in its maintenance
Planning Your Visit by Season
Spring Itinerary (April-May)
- Early morning: Nemophila Hill photography
- Mid-morning: Tulip Garden
- Afternoon: Narcissus Garden and Pleasure Garden rides
- Evening: Sunset views from the Ferris wheel
Summer Itinerary (July-August)
- Morning: Sunflower fields and rose garden
- Mid-day: Indoor facilities during peak heat
- Afternoon: Beach activities and cycling
- Evening: Summer illuminations (seasonal)
Autumn Itinerary (October)
- Morning: Kochia Hill photography
- Mid-day: Cosmos fields
- Afternoon: Forest walk to enjoy autumn leaves
- Evening: Sunset views of the red kochia
Winter Itinerary (December-February)
- Morning: Winter phlox viewing
- Mid-day: Indoor exhibitions and greenhouse visits
- Afternoon: Winter illumination preparation
- Evening: Light displays and illumination events
Cultural Significance
Hitachi Seaside Park represents the Japanese aesthetic principle of seasonal appreciation. The careful attention to creating harmonious color palettes that change throughout the year reflects the deeply held cultural value of impermanence (mono no aware) – the bittersweet awareness of transience.
The park has become a symbol of Ibaraki Prefecture, helping transform the region’s image from an industrial area to a tourism destination. Its international recognition through social media has made it one of Japan’s most recognizable modern landscapes, joining traditional icons like Mt. Fuji and Kyoto’s temples in representing Japanese beauty to the world.
Conclusion
Hitachi Seaside Park offers an extraordinary experience that changes dramatically with each season. The meticulous planning and maintenance create living artworks on a massive scale, providing visitors with some of Japan’s most spectacular natural displays.
Whether you’re seeking the famous blue nemophila hills, the fiery red kochia bushes, or simply a peaceful day among beautiful seasonal flowers, this remarkable park deserves a place on any Japan itinerary. Its accessibility from Tokyo makes it feasible as a day trip, though the variety of experiences available means many visitors find themselves returning in different seasons to witness its continuous transformations.
For photographers, nature lovers, families, or anyone appreciative of carefully cultivated natural beauty, Hitachi Seaside Park stands as one of Japan’s must-visit destinations – a living masterpiece of horticultural art that changes its canvas with each passing season.
