The latest information for the millions of Cosmos at Konosu’s Cosmos Arena Fuikage and the two day cosmos festival. Information for the poppies and Nadeshiko flowers (in May) has been moved to its own post here. The cosmos are already blooming now as I update this post for 2026.
Cosmos Arena Fukiage
On the flood lands of the Arakawa river, millions of flowers grow annually in front of the Cosmos Arena Fukiage. Cosmos Arena Fukiage is a municipal sports facility with a gymnasium and some sports fields, including a popular putter golf course. It is also used for municipal events and during the period of Konosu’s famous dolls festival, they have some hina dolls on display in this facility too.
In addition, there is an aviary on the grounds “Tenku no Sato”, that houses stork “kounotori”, the namesake, symbol and the bird of Konosu City. It only costs 100 yen to visit Tenku no Sato. They have feeding time that you can participate in too. Furthermore, there is a small, free, playground in front of the aviary.
Also, Cosmos Arena Fukiage has a view of Japan’s longest water pipe bridge, the Arakawa Suikan Bridge. Moreover, at certain times of the year you can see magnificent flower displays backdropped by the scenic bridge. In spring its poppies and “nadeshiko” dianthus flowers. And in Autumn, the namesake of the facility – cosmos. Millions and millions of cosmos!
Konosu Cosmos
Approximately 12 million cosmos grow on the Arakawa riverbed near “Cosmos Arena Fukiage” in Konosu annually in autumn. During the period of the bloom there is a two day cosmos festival. More on that in the festival paragraph.
In 2020, the cosmos was a much smaller display than ‘normal’, but in 2021 there was the full 12 MILLION (give or take) again. We visited on September 25th 2021 and the orange / sulphur cosmos were already in full bloom. However, in 2022 I visited on September 28th and the orange cosmos, while blooming were still very low in height. Also, the other colors of cosmos (white, purple, pink etc) were not really flowering yet. In 2023, my first visit was on September 24th and the sulphur cosmos are blooming beautifully and the colored cosmos have started to bloom too. In 2025 as in 2024 they were a little late to bloom. In 2026 they are currently on par with an average year. Generally, the best time to see the cosmos in Konosu is mid to the end of October.
However, if you visit earlier in October, say for the Konosu fireworks, you might want to pop by to see the cosmos that are already are in bloom. Similarly, you can also see sunflowers nearby at “Hana no Oasis” early in October. “Hana no Oasis” is a community garden, also in Konosu city. The “flower bus” links them both, or if you are driving it takes about 15 minutes between the two locations. If you visit them in their prime in the last two weeks of October, you can also see roses in Kakyu no Sato and their 8 day long rose festival overlaps with the cosmos festival for two days.
Cosmos X Mt Fuji
You can see Mt Fuji from Cosmos Arena on a clear day. Particularly from the parking lot. And there is a lookout platform in the playground that affords a great view.
Cosmos Picking
Toward the end of the season they allow picking, for free. Its usually from around October 24th until the 31st of the month. How long they last after picking opens depends on how many and how much people pick! Sometimes they don’t last more than two or three days as so many people pick them. Bring your own scissors!
Cosmos Festival in Konosu
During the period of bloom of the cosmos flowers, there is a two day festival. It is held close to the flower fields in the parking lot of Cosmos Fukiage. It normally takes place toward the end of October. In 2026, it is on Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th from 9 am to 4 pm.
During this period you are usually allowed walk on Japan’s longest water pipe bridge (weather permitting) to view the flowers from above, on select dates. However, it had not been possible since 2018 (2019 because of the typhoon). But they opened this event to the public again since 2022. Information for the 2026 water bridge walk is not yet available (Oct. 1st). But they have confirmed stage events, farmers market, festival stalls and flea market are scheduled for this year. They will also have a section where you can pick cosmos for free on the days of the festival. Official 2026 event page.
Poppies and Corncockles in Spring
Event Details
Event: Cosmos Festival 2026 第28回コスモスフェスティバル
Date: October 24th and 25th 2026. The flowers are open to the public all the time they are in bloom.
Time: the festival is on from 9 am to 4 pm. The cosmos are ‘open’ 24 hours, but the parking lot may close overnight.
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: Cosmos Arena Fukiage, 636-1 Myoyo, Konosu, Saitama 369-0135. View on Google Maps.
Access
By Public Transport: Cosmos Arena Fukiage is a five minute bus ride on the “Flower Bus” （フラワーバス）from JR Takasaki Line Fukiage station （ＪＲ高崎線吹上駅). The bus goes toward Kita Kounosu (北鴻巣行き). The stop for the flowers is called Cosmos Arena Fukiage （コスモスアリーナふきあげ）.
By Car: The poppy / cosmos fields are about 11 kilometers from the Higashimatsuyama Interchange of the Kanetsu Expressway. You can park in front of Cosmos Arena Fukiage for free. It is the closest car park to the larger displays. Map at the bottom of the post.
Official page on Konosu City website
Konosu Events
Konosu has a lot of famous events on over the year as well as some other low key ones. Among their annual famous events are the Guinness World Record holding Konosu Fireworks and Japan’s tallest Hina (Doll) display:
Posted in 2014 and updated annually. Republished on September 25th 2021 with just the cosmos festival information. Completely revamped with spring information added and republished on May 6th 2022. Last update: October 2026.
Such a shame that the festival isn’t on, nice that you can still visit the flowers and they didn’t just mow them to prevent people from turning up.
Hopefully everything can go back to normal soon.
Yes, thank goodness they didn’t mow them down! Last year, they had a smaller display, so its great that they at least grew millions again this year to cheer us all up! Pretty phenomenal numbers eh!
“Millions of flowers…” in a Doctor Evil voice.
These look great! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ian. They are definitely worth visiting, so beautiful. And there are also sunflowers blooming nearby (15 minute drive)… I just added info for those tonight. 🙂
Seriously – you are the best. I’m so glad you didn’t give the blog up