The Washinomiya area of Kuki is known for its cosmos in October (and its early blooming sakura in February!). The main cosmos area is along the “Fureai Road”, but there is also a field by the Washinomiya Support Center. The latter has an “Anywhere Door” known as a Dokodemo doa in Japanese, from the Doraemon anime. In addition, the Washinomiya area hosts a cosmos festival, or as they call it a festa, for one day at the end of October…
Washinomiya Cosmos
The best known cosmos flowers in Kuki City in Eastern Saitama bloom in the Washinomiya area. You may have heard of the Washinomiya Shrine as it is one of the oldest shrines in the Kanto area aka the Greater Tokyo area. Some people say it is the absolute oldest. In addition, the Washinomiya Shrine is known from the popular anime “Lucky Star”. The cosmos area about a 15 minute walk from Washinomiya Shrine.
Fureai Road
The main area of the cosmos is along a stretch of Kasai Irrigation Canal walkway known as the Cosmos Fureai road. It is a popular running / walking course and cyclists use it too. The cosmos are planted by locals each year on the first Saturday of August. Supposedly, about 700 locals participate in the planting event. The cosmos typically bloom in October.
Washinomiya Support Center
There is also a field of cosmos near the Washinomiya Support Center. Since 2022, the field has a “anywhere door” aka “Dokodemo Doa” (from Doraemon anime). Presumably it will still be there for the cosmos festa. Many of the dokodemo doa are pink, but the one in Kuki is white. (There is also a Dokodemo Doa at the cosmos fields in Kinchakuda this year. That one is a deep pink, almost red.)
Cosmos Festa
The festival is scheduled for Sunday October 29th 2023 from 10 am to 3.30 pm. It is held around the area of the Washinomiya Support Center, the library and Kasai Irrigation Canal. There is, for example, cosmos picking, “saru mawashi” monkey show, stamp rally and a game corner for kids. In addition, there are some food and market stalls.
Information
Event: Washinomiya Cosmos Festa わしのみやコスモスフェスタ
Date: Sunday October 29th 2023, weather permitting. They will cancel the festival, if the weather is bad.
Time: from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: the area around Washinomiya Support Center / Washinomiya Library area / Kasai Irrigation Canal. On Google Maps
Access
The festival area is about a fifteen minute walk from the Tobu Igesaki Line Washinomiya Station. In addition, it is about a 30 minute walk from the JR Utsunomiya Line Higashiwashinomiya Station. By car, the nearest interchange is the Kuki Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.