Gather your hats and sunscreens, and mark your calendars for the grandeur of Kanagawa Prefecture’s annual Zama Sunflower Festival. Held from August 11th to August 14th, 2023, the festival is a mesmerizing spectacle of 550,000 sunflowers spreading across the city of Zama.
A Magnificent Sea of Yellow
The tradition of planting sunflowers in Zama began in 1993 and has grown in both scale and fame. Today, a stunning panorama of sunflowers dominates a sprawling 5.5-hectare field, painting the landscape in a vibrant hue of yellow.
Overlook the Beauty from a Viewing Platform
To capture the true essence of this spectacle, a viewing platform has been set up at the venue, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the expansive sunflower field. Be prepared to be captivated by the magnificent sea of sunflowers that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Local Shops And Stalls
Throughout the festival period, visitors can also expect to find pop-up stores run by local shops, and even a chance to try your hand at catching sweetfish. Stalls will be selling sunflower bouquets, agricultural produce, and local specialty products.
Event Information
- Name: Zama 550,000 Sunflower Festival
- Dates: August 11th (Friday) to August 14th (Monday), 2023
- Time: 9:30 to 17:00
- Location: Zama and Yotsuya areas, south and north of Zakai Bridge, Zama, Kanagawa [Map]
- Admission: Free
Getting There
Visitors can walk 20 minutes from either Sobudai-shita Station or Iriya Station on the JR Sagami Line. A shuttle bus service will also be in operation for the festival. For those taking a regular bus, services are available from the Odakyu Line’s Zama Station or Sobudaishita Station, taking the Zama Yotsuya bus to the “Jinjamae” stop. The venue is a 10-minute walk from there.
For those planning to drive, the venue is approximately 10 minutes from the Ken-O Tōmei Atsugi Interchange, or 25 minutes from the Yokohama Machida Interchange on the Tomei Expressway.
The Sum Up
Prepare for a joyous summer day in the heart of Kanagawa’s sunflower fields, where the radiant beauty of the Zama Sunflower Festival awaits.
