Ancient Lotus, Kodai Hasu No Sato, Gyoda. Mid June to early August
Kodai Hasu No Sato ~ Ancient Lotus Flower Park
Kodai Hasu no Sato is a public park in Gyoda city. It was developed to showcase the ancient lotus that were found in the area a few years ago. Before the seeds where found (on an industrial site) it was believed that this particular variety of lotus was extinct. The lotus flowers are famous in the flower world and people come from far and wide to view these miraculous blooms, but on a larger tourism scale the park is actually probably best known for its rice field art. The rice field art is usually most visible shortly after the lotus are finished. But in 2021, they actually overlapped for a bit.
Ancient Lotus Flowers at Kodai Hasu no Sato
There are 120,000 lotus flowers in Kodai No Sato, of 42 different varieties. They have each variety clearly marked out at the site, with a little bit of information available for most varieties. Generally they bloom from mid June until end of July with a few lingering into August. There are displays of lotus at the front of the park beside the observation tower, as well as in the middle of the park.
“Bloom period”2022
The official period for 2022 has been announced as from June 25th until August 7th. So a later bloom period than last year. They are not calling it a “festival” in 2022, just a “bloom period”. They did the same last year too. However, during the official “bloom period” they charge for the car park between the hours of 5 am and 2 pm.
Each year they have a couple of mini concerts at the observation tower, for people who have paid into the tower, during that period. In 2022, there are live performances on June 26th and July 24th, from 11 am. There are also some craft or workshops on during July. Generally on Saturday and Sundays.
Information
The park is free in. Parking is charged during the lotus flower season between the hours of 5 am and 2 pm. It costs 500 yen for a regular car and 1500 yen for a mini van or larger. The tower costs 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children over six years old. However, if you have paid for parking you get a small discount (lotus flower period only). Children under six years old can enter the tower for free.
The park is open 24 hours but the car park doesn’t open until 5 am. The tower opens every day during the official viewing period. It opens from 7 am to 4.30 pm with last entry at 4 pm.
The tower is an observation tower. You can see the lotus (and in August the rice art) from the observation deck. More information about the park, the rice paddy art and the observation tower:
Shuttle Bus
There was no shuttle bus in 2020 due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but they had it in 2021. However, in 2021 it only operated on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Its back in 2022, but again only on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
Please note there is only one an hour between 7.20 am and 14.10 pm (from Gyoda station). The route is Gyoda Station – Kodai Hasu no Sato – Sakitama – Oshi Castle bus terminal – Gyoda Station. Hence on the way back the journey is slightly longer as the bus stops at both Sakitama and Oshi Castle bus terminal. Both worth a visit for what its worth. And if you visit during the first two weeks of July or August, the floating flower event will be on at both sites. There was a charge in 2021, but it is free again in 2022. It takes about twenty minutes from Gyoda Station to the park and about 30 minutes on the way back.
Last republish June 9th 2022. Before that June 13th 2019. First published circa 2015.