Tsunan Himawari Square

Tsunan Himawari Square is located on the Okinohara Plateau in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture. The attraction began approximately 30 years ago in the early 1990s when local farmers planted sunflowers in empty farmland for their own enjoyment. When Tsunan Town celebrated its 50th anniversary, the sunflower was chosen as the official town flower through a citizen poll, transforming what was initially a personal project into one of the town's primary tourist destinations.

The site covers approximately 4 hectares and features 500,000 hybrid sunflowers during peak season, making it one of Japan's largest sunflower fields. The flowers are strategically divided into three separate fields with staggered planting times to extend the viewing period from late July through mid-August. This agricultural planning ensures visitors can enjoy blooms throughout the entire season rather than a single brief flowering period.

Visitors can walk through a sunflower maze where the 2-meter-high flowers create a challenging labyrinth that typically takes around 15 minutes to complete. An observation deck provides panoramic views of the entire field against the backdrop of Niigata's mountainous countryside. The site hosts various activities including a scarecrow exhibition, and food stalls selling drinks, shaved ice and local snacks. During certain periods, the sunflowers are illuminated in the evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM, creating a different viewing atmosphere.

The location's significance extends beyond the flowers themselves. Adjacent to the sunflower field lies the Okinohara Archaeological Site, an important Jomon period settlement. This proximity connects visitors to the region's deep historical roots spanning 5,000 years, as the area's river terrace topography and natural springs supported ancient civilizations.

From Tokyo, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes), then transfer to local buses bound for Tsunan, which takes about 50 minutes. From JR Tsunan Station, the sunflower field is a 15-minute taxi ride. By car from Tokyo, the venue is approximately one hour from the Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway. Entry to the field is free of charge. Parking fees are 500 yen for regular vehicles, with higher rates for larger vehicles and discounted rates for motorcycles and bicycles. During the festival period, parking fee receipts include coupons usable at local shops and facilities in Tsunan Town.