Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park (国営ひたち海浜公園 Kokuei Hitachi Kaihinkoen) is located oat the city of Hitachinaka, on the Pacific coast, Ibaraki Prefecture. About 130 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, it is a must-see place in spring and autumn. From late April to mid-May, the park’s 4.5 million nemophila flowers, also known as Baby Blue Eyes, turn Miharashi hill into a impressive blue ocean. In October the hill is being covered with red kochia plants. Throughout the year also bloom several other flowers. The time we visited the park (late April) we saw many tulips at the forest near the main entrance.

The hill used to be a military airport and after the war it became a firing and bombing range for the US Air Force. The land was returned to Japan in 1973 and later it became Hitachi Seaside Park as a symbol of peace.

Hitachi Seaside Park is approx. 85 minutes by limited express train on JR Joban Line from Shinagawa, Tokyo or Ueno stations to Katsuta Station. From there you take the bus to the park (approx. 15 min.)

Photos: Junko Nagata © Japanbyweb.com

 

Hitachi Seaside Park website