Let's go see the bright red fluffy kochia for your autumn excursion! National Hitachi Seaside Park
- Ibaraki
- Sightseeing
A typical autumnal scene at Hitachi-Seaside Park.
Kochia is an annual herb belonging to the family of the broomrape (formerly known as the family Acanthaceae) and is native to Asia. Its Japanese name is "broom grass," and in the past, its stems were dried to make brooms. The fruit is called "tonburi," or "caviar of the field," and is popularly known as "caviar of the field. （The lime green kochia, which grows in the summer sun from early July, has a lovely round shape and is soft to the touch. This year, about 40,000 green-leafed kochia will begin to change color in early October, turning Miharashi no Oka bright red by mid-October. The "beautiful color change" of the kochia, the main attraction of the festival, together with the cosmos and buckwheat flowers at the foot of the hill, create an autumn-colored landscape.
Kochia shows various expressions depending on the season.
Mid-August to late September
Kochia from summer to early fall is a bright, vivid green. Small kochia seedlings, initially about 15 cm in length, grow to 60 cm to 70 cm in length under the summer sun. The bright green color will gradually turn yellow in the fall.
Early October
The kochia stops growing at about 70 cm. The fuzzy appearance of the kochia attracts visitors who come to view it! From this point on, the color changes to red, and visitors can enjoy the gradation of colors during this period. Kochias do not suddenly turn bright red, but rather turn red little by little, starting from the top of the head. The gradation of red and green colors is vivid during the period until all kochia turn bright red. This is a precious period when you can observe the kochia's reddish hue increasing day by day. Miharashi no Oka is the best viewing point!
Mid-October
As autumn deepens, the kochia trees finally turn bright red. The bright red kochias are a poetic feature of Hitachi-Kaihin Park! The kochia trees are a must-see at Hitachi-Kaihin Park!
Information on autumn events! Come, see, and touch the kochia carnival!
Date: October 1 (Wed.) - 31 (Fri.), 2025 (open every day during the period)
The Miharashi no Oka area offers many highlights, including the daily changing colors of the kochia, the red and pink cosmos at the foot of the hill, and the pure white buckwheat. In addition, this year, a sample kochia garden will make its first appearance near the Miharashi Plaza! Compare the various varieties of kochia and find your favorite. In addition, the "Welcome Garden," which started last year, will make its debut again this year! The garden will be decorated with 25 varieties of flowers and grasses, including marigolds and catechu. Why not take a trip around the garden to find your own favorites?
We hope you will enjoy this special scenery that can only be seen at this time of the year. During the event period, there will also be special events such as gourmet meals only available during this season, so you can fully enjoy the fall season of appetite and art!
In addition, there are many other autumn events! For details, please visit the official website.
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Location
Hitachinaka City, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0012
605-4 Onuma, Mawatari, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki PrefectureAccess
Down line] It takes about 85 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Katsuta Station by express train.
[Up line] It takes about 60 minutes from Iwaki Station to Katsuta Station by express train.
It takes about 15 minutes from JR Katsuta Station East Exit, platform 2 by bus bound for Kaihin Koen.
A short walk from West Exit or South Exit*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
*All images are for reference only.
*The "West Exit, Wing Gate" is convenient for those who wish to see the kochia.
Combine your favorite train with lodging or a day trip plan for a great travel experience!
