When it comes to indispensable summer flowers, sunflowers (himawari) top the list. Many people feel a sense of hope when seeing these flowers bloom facing the sun. Today we'll introduce the Honoyama Sunflower Fields near JR Shioiri Station in Kagawa's "Sunflower Village Manno" - a town completely dedicated to sunflower cultivation.
Summer's poetic scenery isn't complete without fireflies, fireworks, watermelons, swimming pools, and of course, the flowers that color the landscape. The yellow sunflowers blooming toward the sun are summer's iconic representatives.
Manno Town in southwestern Kagawa Prefecture boasts abundant natural resources including Japan's largest irrigation pond "Mannou-ike," the National Sanuki Manno Park, and the Sanuki Mountain Range. For over 30 years, the entire town has dedicated itself to sunflower cultivation, with about 1.2 million sunflowers blooming between early to late July each year!
Sunflower Journey Starting from JR Shioiri Station
JR Shioiri Station on the Dosan Line is a quiet unmanned station just one stop from Kotohira Station. The featured Honoyama Sunflower Fields are about a 5-minute walk from the station. After exiting the station building, walk straight ahead, turn right at the prefectural road, and you'll find the fields on the left before the railroad crossing.
With limited trains stopping at Shioiri Station, we recommend visiting early in the morning for efficient sightseeing. Depart from Kotohira around 7 AM, spend about 2 hours photographing or strolling through the sunflower fields, then catch the 8:52 AM train back to fully enjoy Kotohira in the morning.
The Neatly Arranged "Honoyama Sunflower Fields"
Sunflowers became a seasonal word for summer because their blossoms actually follow the sun's movement across the sky.
While sunflower fields can be found throughout the town, even outside the main Honoyama or Nakayama Sunflower Fields areas, we recommend checking bloom conditions on the Manno Town Sunflower Fields page before visiting as flowering times vary due to planting schedules and sunlight conditions.
Railways and Sunflowers in Perfect Harmony
Capturing trains on the Dosan Line passing through the Honoyama Sunflower Fields... Why do trains and sunflowers complement each other so perfectly? Don't miss this prime photography opportunity - railway enthusiasts will find this combination absolutely magical.
Manno Town has begun producing sunflower oil, sunflower shochu, and hosts sunflower festivals, making the "Sunflower Village Manno" name increasingly famous throughout Japan.
Why not add to your summer memories by leisurely riding local trains to "Sunflower Village Manno" to witness these magnificent blooms?
Basic Information for Honoyama Sunflower Fields
Address: Honoyama, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Dosan Line Shioiri Station
Parking: Available
