10 Free Picturesque Cosmos fields in Saitama near Tokyo

A selection of ten cosmos fields in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo. The list has to be altered quite a lot each year, for different reasons. For example, in 2021 and 2020, due to the pandemic several of the cosmos spots actually didn’t grow any cosmos. Before that, in 2019, typhoon Hagibis wreaked havoc and destroyed several cosmos fields. This year, I am sorry to report that we have permanently lost at least two popular cosmos fields – Hanyu and Yoshimi – despite the fact that they were both fields that opened last year when others chose not to!

Cosmos Saitama

Cosmos are known as autumn cherry blossoms in Japan. Even though there are actual autumn cherry blossom trees too! In 2021 and 2020 there were few, practically no, flower festivals due to the pandemic. However, some of the cosmos locations grew their flowers and allowed people come and see them. This year, there are even more cosmos spots open for people to visit. However, please do always check with the official sites before visiting for any last minute changes / updates, especially if there has been a typhoon or increase in Corona cases.

The blooming period of Cosmos fields is not as clear cut as other flowers. Some Cosmos fields, such as this one in Kawagoe, bloom as early as July, while others don’t bloom until November. By and large though, the main bloom period is October. The locations in the list below, a selection of 10 (of about 30) noteworthy cosmos fields in Saitama, are mainly locations that bloom in October. However, when in October varies greatly…

Ten Cosmos fields in Saitama near Tokyo

1. Konosu
2. Miraikan
3. Kinchakuda
4. Cosmos Road Fujimi
5. Okabe
6. Kawajima
7. Omiya Hana no Oka
8. Kawagoe
9. Hasuda
10. Kuki

1. Cosmos Arena Fukiage, Konosu

Approximately 12 million cosmos bloom in Konosu annually. What makes this spot so Instagrammable (apart from the fact there are millions of cosmos!) is that the flowers are backdropped by a beautiful water pipe bridge. Moreover, in a “normal” (non pandemic) year you can actually go up on the water pipe bridge, on select dates, and get a bird’s eye view – and photo – of the flowers from above. I’m happy to report that they will be letting people back up in 2022, but just for one day – Saturday October 22nd. The flower festival is on that day too as well as Sunday October 23rd.

2. Miraikan

This entry used to be for the 8,000,000 (give or take!) cosmos in Yoshimi. But unfortunately 2021 was the very last year the cosmos were grown in Yoshimi. I have replaced it with one of Saitama’s better known cosmos spots – at the Miraikan in Kazo City. There are four different cosmos fields beside the Miraikan. One of them, with lots of different shades, has been in bloom since about the third week of September in 2022. There are also two fields of pinks and purples and another field of multicolored cosmos.

3. Kinchakuda, Hidaka

The Kinchakuda park is famous for its red spider lilies, but it also grows cosmos flowers. The red spider lilies in the park were cut down in both 2020 and 2021 – all 5 million of them – to deter people visiting. But they didn’t cut the cosmos. Kinchakuda is just really picturesque all year round, it might have to do with the horse shoe shape of the park! In 2022, they have a “Dokodemo” Anywhere Door beside the Cosmos Fields. The Cosmos weren’t really blooming at the end of September, when I visited last, they had just started.

4. Cosmos Road, Fujimi

What makes these cosmos Instaworthy are their position; lining a popular cycle course and riverside walk. You can also see a picturesque bridge at one section along the way (you can see it in the ‘English Information’ post linked below). The river is the Shingashi River. The cosmos walkway is located close to an interesting frog shrine as well as a prehistoric park!

5. Okabe, Fukaya

Cosmos and fireworks, say no more! Although…I do actually have more to say! Apart from being able to see fireworks at these flower fields at night, by day you can see traditional Yosakoi dance in the fields. Both the cosmos festival and fireworks were back in 2022.

6. Shimoyatsubayashi Community Flower Field, Kawajima

This one might not be as instagrammable as the others, but it is one of the few places you can pick cosmos for free. Moreover, it is located beside that has Autumn roses that bloom around the same time. It is also home to Japan’s longest rose tunnel. In addition, there are several events on this October (2022), including a classic car festival and a Halloween Lantern Night.

7. Omiya Hana no Oka, Saitama City

If you are looking for somewhere to view cosmos with small children this cosmos spot offers a playground right by the flowers. There are also other seasonal flowers at this park, including Kochia which begin to change color from green to pink (and then red) in October.

8. Aina Water Park, Kawagoe

Like the Konosu flower fields, Aina water park’s flowers are backdropped by a picturesque water pipe bridge. If you are coming by car, they are relatively close to Saimyouji temple. Saimyouji Temple is renowned for many things, including its stunning floating flower displays “hanachozu”. Saimyouji temple celebrates pink ribbon month each October. The temple is lit up pink at night and the large water fonts have pink ribbon hanachozu.

9. Hasuda

There are actually several different cosmos fields in Hasuda City. Egasaki isn’t the largest, but it does seem to be the most prolific. In a ‘normal’ year, they have a cosmos festival, but it has been cancelled in 2022. Unfortunately, they seem to be past their prime already this year. However, the link to the official web page below also includes information (in Japanese) about the other cosmos fields in Hasuda, of which at least one is in bloom now.

10. Kuki

Cosmos fields in the Washinomiya area of Kuki. The main area is the “Fureai Road” and there will actually be a one day cosmos festival there this year on Sunday October 30th. But there is also a field by the Washinomiya SUpport Center, which also has a Dokodemo Anywhere Door in 2022. The one at Kinchakuda is red, but this one is white. It makes for a lovely contrast with the delicately colored cosmos.

This list has changed greatly over the years to adapt to the current situation of the flowers. It started out as a “Ten Cosmos Fields and festivals” post back in the day, but was changed half way through October 2019 when several cosmos fields had to cut their cosmos festivals short due to typhoon #19 aka Hagibis. Then in 2020 and 2021 there were no cosmos festivals due to you know what! This year, there are a few cosmos festivals, but not nearly as many as in a normal year so I will leave the “festival” part out of the title for now! Below, a photo from Yoshimi Cosmos Festival, which sadly no longer exists.

20190817