![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267094.webp)
The Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival is a quintessential summer event in Hokuto City . In Akeno Town, which boasts one of the longest hours of sunshine in Japan, approximately 400,000 sunflowers bloom one after another over a period of about a month. We'll introduce you to the ways to enjoy the Sunflower Festival, including the spectacular views of the sunflower fields, the market, and the photo contest.
Written by
It is located in the northwest of Yamanashi Prefecture, on the border with Nagano Prefecture. It is a vast area surrounded by 3,000m-class mountains such as the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Kinpu, and overlooking Mt. Fuji to the south. It is about a two-hour drive from Tokyo, about an hour from Mt. Fuji, and about an hour from Matsumoto, and is easily accessible, so many tourists visit throughout the year. It is also known as a "village of famous water," and three places have been selected as one of Japan's 100 famous water sources. This bounty of water is loved as natural water, and the area boasts one of the largest production volumes of mineral water in Japan. Sake is also produced from the pure water, and you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and rich food.
-
Table of Contents
- 1. What is the Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival?
- 2. Let's go find four unique types of sunflowers.
- 3. Check today's best viewing times.
- 4. After enjoying the sunflowers, head to the "Sunflower Marche," where you can find local gourmet food.
- 5. Submit your favorite photo to the photo contest.
- 6. To a magical sunflower field for one night only.
- 7. Two must-visit spots after the Sunflower Festival
- 8. Summary
1. What is the Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival?
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267097.webp)
Akeno-cho in Hokuto City , Yamanashi Prefecture , is one of the areas in Japan that boasts the longest hours of sunshine. The " Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival " is a representative summer event of Hokuto City where you can enjoy approximately 400,000 sunflowers. The sunflowers are planted with slightly staggered blooming times, so they are in full bloom for about a month, making it easy to visit according to your travel plans.
Beyond the sunflower fields, you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji , the Minami Alps, and the Yatsugatake mountains—a landscape you can only find here in Hokuto City. It's a special time to enjoy nature, whether you're taking photos or just strolling around at a leisurely pace.
The venue will host the "Sunflower Marche," featuring gourmet food and specialty products made with local ingredients. Visitors can experience the unique flavors of Hokuto City, including sunflower-flavored soft serve ice cream that can only be found at SunFes, and discover the charm of the region.
Additionally, a " SunFes Photo Contest " will be held on Instagram during the event period. Capture unforgettable scenes you encounter in the sunflower fields in photos and submit your entries. Winners will receive local Hokuto City products from Hokuto City.
Furthermore, in 2026, we plan to hold a one-night-only sunflower light-up event , which will be the first of its kind. Enjoy the special scenery that can only be seen on this day, as the sunflower fields change their appearance from dusk to night, illuminated by a sky full of stars.
2. Let's go find four unique types of sunflowers.
| Field No. | Types of sunflowers |
| 6-12 | hybrid |
| 3 | Tohoku yae |
| 4 & 5 | Sunfinity |
| 1,2,11,12 | Concert bells |
At the venue, you'll be greeted by four unique varieties of sunflowers. There's the "Hybrid" with its large blossoms, the "Sunfinity" which produces many flowers from a single plant, the "Tohoku Yae" with its many layers of petals, and the "Concert Bell" which blooms in clusters facing 360 degrees. Enjoying the different appearances of each variety is one of the charms of the Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival. Since each variety blooms in different fields, refer to the venue map and explore while searching for your favorite sunflower.
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267112.webp)
To fully enjoy the Sunflower Festival, first check the venue map. The venue is divided into two areas: the main venue (fields No. 1-8) and the rural park venue (fields No. 9-12). The two venues are only about a minute apart by car, making it easy to visit both. The sunflowers bloom at different times, reaching their peak bloom one after another over approximately one month. By visiting both venues at different times, you can enjoy the scenery of each.
Typically, the fields at the main venue reach their peak during the first half of the festival, while those at the rural park venue reach their peak during the second half, allowing visitors to enjoy different scenery depending on the time of year.
3. Check today's best viewing times.
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267100.webp)
"Which field will be in full bloom today?" This kind of anticipation is one of the joys of the Sunflower Festival. Once you arrive at the venue, first check the information on the best time to see the flowers in front of the tourist information center. It's also recommended to check the latest blooming status on the official Instagram before you come.
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/15-267128.webp)
Once you've checked which fields are in full bloom, stop by the tourist information center.
The free-to-borrow sunflower headpieces are a popular item unique to the Sunflower Festival. Take a photo at the designated photo spot with the sunflower field as your backdrop, and you'll feel like you've become a single sunflower yourself. You're sure to capture a special photo that will become a cherished summer memory.
4. After enjoying the sunflowers, head to the "Sunflower Marche," where you can find local gourmet food.
After strolling through the sunflower fields, enjoy the delicious flavors of Hokuto at the "Sunflower Marche." A variety of shops will line the market, offering gourmet food and sweets made with local ingredients, fresh vegetables and fruits, and specialty products. Enjoying meals and sweets is a given, but souvenir hunting is also part of the fun of traveling. Spend a summer moment enjoying the unique flavors and encounters with people that Hokuto has to offer.
If you're curious about what kinds of shops will be there, please check out the official Instagram account for the Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival.
5. Submit your favorite photo to the photo contest.
The breathtaking summer scenery created by the blue sky and sunflowers is so beautiful you'll want to capture it in a photograph. If you take a favorite shot, why not enter it into the "Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival Photo Contest"? Your unique perspective on summer in Hokuto might reach many people and reveal its new charm. For details on how to enter the Hokuto Sunflower Festival Photo Contest 2026, please check the link on our official Instagram profile page.
[Event Information]
Event period: July 18th (Sat) - August 16th (Sun), 2026
Venue: Main venue: 5664 Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture Other: Rural park venue: 13811 Kamite, Akeno-cho , Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture Prefecture Others Event time: 9:00 - 17:00 *Opening hours of the tourist information center and market.
The main venue's parking lot is available 24 hours a day with automated payment.
Admission is free. Sunflower support donation required.
Main Venue: Regular cars 1,000 yen, Motorcycles 500 yen, Buses 5,000 yen. Automatic payment, payment at the exit, cash only. Rural Park Venue: Regular cars 500 yen, Motorcycles 500 yen, Buses 5,000 yen. Access: Approximately 15 minutes from the Sutama IC on the Chuo.
🚃 From JR Nirasaki Station, take the Yamanashi Kyohoku Kotsu Kayagatake Mizugaki Rural Bus (approx. 25 minutes). Get off at the main venue "Akeno Tsumitorien" stop (immediately next to the venue). Get off at the rural park venue "Noson Koen-mae" stop (approx. 5 minutes).
6. To a magical sunflower field for one night only.
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/15-267127.webp)
We are planning a one-night-only light-up event, a first of its kind this year. The sunflower fields, bathed in a soft light that is quite different from the daytime, and the countless stars in the clear night sky will create a special summer moment that can only be experienced on this day.
[Event Information]
Date: August 14, 2026 (Friday)
Start time: 7 PM
Venue: Main venue of the Akeno Sunflower Festival , Hokuto City
7. Two must-visit spots after the Sunflower Festival
After enjoying the Sunflower Festival, take a break with some of Hokuto's unique food and cafes. Here are two special places that are easily accessible by car from the venue.
Handmade Udon Noodles Tiger and Grass
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267105.webp)
This restaurant, housed in a charming old house renovated by the owner himself, offers handmade udon noodles. The set menu, featuring chewy and smooth homemade udon noodles paired with flavorful local chicken and seasonal vegetable tempura, is incredibly satisfying. Enjoy a relaxing lunch in this warm and inviting space, savoring the bounty of Hokuto.
HALENOBON
![[2 hours from Tokyo] A breathtaking summer landscape of yellow created by 400,000 sunflowers. Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Park](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/07/14-267106.webp)
This cafe is located within Gasbon Metabolism, an art complex in Akeno Town. They offer handmade baked goods made with carefully selected ingredients such as ancient wheat flour and rice flour, as well as spice curry that pairs perfectly with achar (pickle) made with plenty of ingredients from the Yatsugatake Mount Yatsugatake. It's the perfect spot to relax and unwind after enjoying the sunflower fields.
8. Summary
Gaze upon sunflower fields bathed in the summer blue sky, savor local cuisine, and capture a memorable photograph. The Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival is packed with sights and experiences that can only be found in summer. Be sure to visit and enjoy a special time this summer.
![[Tokyo, Shinjuku] Buy Matcha Here! 2 Long-established Japanese Tea Shops Where You Can Get the Authentic Taste!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2025/09/24-245090.webp)
![[Takahama Town] Enjoy a summer course at Gosakuso, a restaurant specializing in pufferfish cuisine.](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/08/18-269034.webp)
![[August 2026] Hands Nagoya Store, directly connected to JR Nagoya Station, is holding a massive summer sale!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/720x2000/2026/08/16-268985.webp)