Hanamiyama Park
花見山公園
A Fukushima hill where flower farmers grow blossom trees, free to all. In spring about 70 kinds of flowers bloom, washing the hill in soft colour.
A "paradise" opened up by flower farmers
Hanamiyama Park is a hill of flowers in the Watari district of Fukushima City. It began as farmland: local flower farmers cleared the woods to grow flowering trees for a living. Rather than keeping the beauty to themselves, they opened it to the public in 1959 so that many people could enjoy it.
The photographer Akiyama Shotaro visited almost every year and described it with the words "There is a Togenkyo in Fukushima." Togenkyo is the idyllic land of blossoming peach trees from an old Chinese tale, a kind of earthly paradise.
Spring, when some 70 kinds of flowers bloom
The best time to visit is from late March to mid-April. Around 70 kinds of flowers, including plum, Tokai-zakura and Higan-zakura cherries, Somei-yoshino cherries, peach, forsythia, Japanese quince and magnolia, bloom one after another and sometimes all at once, wrapping the hill and the surrounding fields in soft colour. Because so many kinds bloom, the viewing season is relatively long.
From late March to early April, rapeseed flowers also bloom at the foot of the hill. On clear days you can see the Azuma mountains from the top, and you may even spot the "snow rabbit", a patch of lingering snow on the slopes of Azuma-kofuji that looks like a rabbit.
Spring traffic restrictions and getting there
During the flower season, private cars are not allowed into the area around Hanamiyama. In 2026 the restrictions ran from 28 March to 19 April (because the flowers bloomed early, the shuttle bus ended on 14 April). During this period you park at a temporary car park or at JR Fukushima Station and take the Hanamiyama-go shuttle bus (about 15 minutes). Riding the bus requires an environmental contribution that goes towards maintaining Hanamiyama.
Entry is free, and you can walk the hill all year round. For each year's restriction period and bus service, check the Hanamiyama special site run by the Fukushima City Tourism and Convention Association.
Tips
- Hanamiyama and the surrounding fields are private land belonging to flower farmers. Do not break off flowers or branches or walk into the fields, and take your rubbish home with you.
- Visitors are asked not to come at night or early in the morning. Please also avoid sleeping in your car or parking on the street in the residential area.
- In spring, volunteer guides called Fukushima Hana Annainin ("flower guides") show visitors around. Walking with them and hearing the names of the flowers and the history of Hanamiyama makes the visit even more enjoyable.
Sources
Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
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