Takikawa Nanohana Festival: Cultural Adventure

Takikawa Nanohana Festival is one of the city’s most popular festivals. It is also one of the prefecture’s most popular flower festivals. The festival is held in the Ebeotsu-cho area of Takikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Takikawa Nanohana Festival

Takikawa Nanohana Festival Details

The Takikawa Nanohana Festival, which began in 2000, has become one of the largest and most anticipated annual events in the city, drawing around 100,000 visitors each year. This vibrant celebration showcases the beauty of the nanohana (canola flowers), transforming the city’s landscapes into a breathtaking sea of yellow.

Takikawa Nanohana Festival - Takikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Takikawa is home to two main types of nanohana: the Kizaki no Natane variety, known for its use in producing high-quality rapeseed oil, and the Haru no Kagayaki variety, often cultivated as a food source. These fields of blooming canola flowers are among the largest in Japan, and their striking yellow hues create a picturesque backdrop every May.

Takikawa Nanohana Festival flyers

At the heart of the festival, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the expansive nanohana fields from a specially constructed viewing platform. From this elevated vantage point, you can soak in panoramic views of the vast yellow sea stretching out before you, a truly unforgettable sight.

You can view the canola fields from this viewing platform

Other events are held at Takikawa Roadside Station

We got to meet Jinji River

The festival also offers a lively atmosphere with live stage performances, local food stalls, and products made from the very nanohana flowers that define the event. From savory dishes to sweet treats, the food stalls provide a taste of local culture, and many of the dishes are infused with the essence of canola flowers.

Photos from the Takikawa Nanohana Festival

Held at the peak of the bloom, the Takikawa Nanohana Festival attracts visitors from all corners of the world, offering a unique opportunity to experience the splendor of Japan’s countryside during one of the most colorful times of the year. Whether you're a nature lover, a photography enthusiast, or simply looking for an unforgettable cultural experience, the Takikawa Nanohana Festival is a must-visit event.

Team Nicerio attends the Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023

On May 27, 2023, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting the Takikawa Nanohana Festival for the first time. It marked my 572nd day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. We arrived during the final days of the festival, and fortunately, the flowers were still in full bloom. We were able to capture stunning photos of the vibrant yellow rapeseed fields. I’m already looking forward to returning in the future.

Takikawa Nanohana Festival Fees

To access the special area, visitors are asked to contribute to the environmental improvement fund by paying an entrance fee. The fees are as follows:

• Adults: 500 yen

• Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High School students: 300 yen

• Preschool age and younger: FREE

Takikawa Nanohana Festival Schedule

The Takikawa Nanohana Festival is usually held every 3rd Saturday of May until the last Sunday of May. 

Event Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM

Why should you visit and experience the Takikawa Nanohana Festival?

The Takikawa Nanohana Festival, held each May, is a must-visit event that celebrates the breathtaking beauty of Japan’s largest canola flower fields. Visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the vibrant yellow blooms from a specially constructed viewing platform, while also immersing themselves in the local culture through live performances and food stalls offering dishes made from the very flowers that define the festival. The event offers a unique combination of nature, culture, and culinary delights, making it a perfect getaway for families, nature lovers, and food enthusiasts alike. With its peaceful setting and lively atmosphere, the Takikawa Nanohana Festival provides a memorable, all-around experience that highlights the charm of Japan’s countryside. 

Getting to Takikawa Nanohana Festival

 

For those traveling by car, keep in mind that there are no parking areas near the Nanohana Fields. Visitors park in Takikawa Roadside Station which also has limited parking spots so make sure to come early. 

From the roadside station, you have several options: 

Taxi

The fares for the Nanohana Taxi are as follows:

Adults and children: 1000 yen

Persons with disabilities: 800 yen

Preschool age and younger: Free

On Saturdays and Sundays, the taxi will run every 20 minutes, with approximately 20 trips per day. On weekdays, it will run every 30 minutes, with about 6 trips per day.

Nanohana Bus - Available only during the weekends

The Nanohana bus offers a round-trip service from Michi no Eki Takikawa to the special paid access area. It will drop visitors off at the area and return them to Michi no Eki.

Bus fares are as follows:

Adults and children: 300 yen

Persons with disabilities: 200 yen

Preschool age and younger: Free

The bus runs every 15 minutes (about 24 trips a day). Three buses will also be available to transport passengers from the special access area back to Michi no Eki.

Please note that a separate entrance fee is required to access the special area.

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