Oharano Sunflower Field
Thousands of canary yellow, fiery orange, and dark red sunflowers fill the Oharano Sunflower Field around mid-September. As most sunflowers around Kyoto bloom in July and August, the field in Oharano provides one more opportunity to enjoy the large flowers before the autumn chill sets in. The ornamental colors of the sunflowers are used to create a new design for the field every year.
A Community Project
The Oharano Sunflower Field is a project led by Oharano farmers. In late July, farmers, students and teachers from the nearby Rakusai High School, and other volunteers gather to plant tens of thousands of seedlings, which are regularly tended over the following weeks. The entire field remains green until the flowers begin to bloom and fill the space with warm colors. Oharano residents and visitors wait with anticipation to discover what design will emerge.
Enjoying the Sunflowers
People come from near and far to stroll through the rows of sunflowers, take pictures, and enjoy the scenery with the mountains in the distance. During the viewing period, a three-meter-tall platform is erected in the field, making it possible to appreciate the year’s design in its entirety. The ability to view the sunflowers up close and from afar makes the Oharano field a popular spot both for nature photography and for commemorative shots with friends and family.