Sunflowers are truly a sight to behold in the Japanese summer. These lovely golden petals were spotted in the Fushimi ward of South Kyoto.
Sunflowers in Full Bloom!
The sunflowers of Fushimi ward are a most underrated feature of Kyoto’s natural beauty. During the summer, they come out in full bloom and can be seen in various spots across Japan, particularly in farmlands and open fields.
The Mukaijima Farmlands
During one of my typical walks to Nishi-Uji Park for some tennis practice, I came across this impressive field of sunflowers just down the road from Mukaijima station. They were very tall and potent, staring at me at eye level, with thick, lush green leaves along their stalks.
Catch them before it’s too late!
As summer comes to an end in the later days of August, we begin to see the slow decay of these once bright and brilliant sunflowers.
Indeed, the best times to see them are in the middle of summer from late June through to early August.
Of course, if you want to see the later blooms that last even til early autumn, you could head south to Kyushu and see the beautiful sunflower fields of Fukuoka during early September.
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!