Nabana no Sato, located near Nagoya, Japan, is a renowned seasonal flower theme park, but what truly makes it world-famous is its annual light show, consistently ranked as Japan’s number one illumination show.
Project Overview
Nabana no Sato, located in the Nagashima area of Mie Prefecture near Nagoya, Japan, is a renowned floral theme park, spanning approximately 300,000 square meters since its opening in July 1998. This park features 13,000 square meters of seasonal flower fields, the 9,000-square-meter Begonia Garden (Japan's largest greenhouse), and the Nagashima Onsen, a natural hot spring. Visitors can also indulge in local brews at the Nagashima Beer Garden or explore eight themed restaurants offering unique dining experiences.
However, what truly sets Nabana no Sato apart is its spectacular annual light show, which has been consistently ranked as Japan’s top illumination display. From October to May, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing LED installation, boasting 8 million lights in varying themes, making it the largest of its kind in the country. This event attracts over 2 million visitors annually and has earned its title as the "Number One Light Show in Japan."
Location
The park is situated about 27 kilometers southwest of Nagoya, in the Nagashima area of Mie Prefecture, approximately a 50-minute drive from Chubu Centrair International Airport. With Nagashima being a popular tourist destination, the park is easily accessible via various forms of public transport, including Kintetsu trains and buses. During the illumination season, temperatures range from a mild 1°C to 22°C, with October to December being the busiest months. The best time to visit, combining both floral displays and pleasant weather, is from March to April.
Accessibility
Getting to Nabana no Sato is convenient whether you're driving or using public transportation:
By Car: The drive from Nagoya city center or the airport takes around 45-50 minutes. The well-developed highway system and clear signage make it easy for visitors to navigate.
By Public Transport: Visitors from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya can reach the park via long-distance buses, JR or Kintetsu trains, and even the Shinkansen. Once in the Nagashima area, transfers to taxis or local buses will take you directly to Nabana no Sato. Buses are equipped with amenities like power outlets and free Wi-Fi for a comfortable journey.
Operating Hours
Nabana no Sato is open year-round, seven days a week, including holidays. However, the opening hours of the flower displays change depending on the season. The 2021-2022 light show runs from October 23, 2021, to May 31, 2022, with operating hours from 10 AM to 9 PM. Some facilities may be closed during extreme weather conditions, but overall, the park's climate, ranging from a high of 31°C to a low of 1°C, is generally pleasant for most of the year. October to December is the busiest season due to the illumination show.
Visiting Experience
Nabana no Sato covers an expansive area of approximately 300,000 square meters, featuring a variety of attractions, restaurants, bars, hot springs, and scenic spots, all centered around a large lake. Admission to the park is ¥2,300, which includes a ¥1,000 voucher that can be used within the park. Entry is free for children under elementary school age. While most facilities are included in the admission fee, the Mt. Fuji observation deck and the Begonia Garden require an additional fee. Parking is free and divided into several sections, with space for up to 5,700 vehicles.
Entrance Area Located in the northeast corner of the park, the entrance is connected to multiple parking areas and the external flower market. There are paid lockers of various sizes and a commemorative photo spot at the entrance.
Themed Flower Areas The flower areas are spread across the western and southern sections of the park, including Japan’s largest 13,000-tsubo (43,000 square meters) flower field, a 3,000-tsubo plum garden, the largest begonia garden in Japan, a hillside observation deck, and a rose garden with over 900 varieties.
Flower Plaza: Spanning 13,000 tsubo, this is the largest flower field in Japan and one of the park's top attractions. Visitors can enjoy different seasonal blooms throughout the year, from tulips and spring flowers in March to early May, to dahlias and cosmos from late September to mid-November. Seasonal flower festivals, such as the spring “Flower Festival,” enhance the experience.
Hydrangea Walk: This 200-meter-long path showcases 300 hydrangea plants, including rare varieties. At night, it transforms into the park’s iconic “Tunnel of Lights,” providing a dreamy experience enhanced by gentle lighting.
Hilltop Observation Deck: Offering panoramic views of the flower plaza, this observation point is perfect for admiring the seasonal blooms or the evening light show. The first floor also has a snack bar, making it a cozy spot to relax.
Plum Garden: Covering 3,000 tsubo, the plum garden is home to 330 plum trees that bloom in early February. Some trees are over 100 years old, attracting birds and creating a serene early-spring atmosphere. By mid-March, the garden transitions into a cherry blossom viewing area.
Begonia Garden (Andes Garden): One of Japan’s largest begonia gardens, this 9,000-square-meter greenhouse features vibrant begonias blooming year-round. The experience feels like stepping into a painting. Entry to the garden is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥700 for students, and ¥200 for children, with the option to use the park’s ¥1,000 voucher.
Rose Garden: Located behind the Begonia Garden, the Rose Garden hosts the "Rose Festival" from early May to late June. With about 900 varieties of roses, visitors can stroll through the scenic landscape, complete with gazebos. The garden also features a "Rose Café" offering tea, rose-flavored mint tea, and rose ice cream.
Dining Areas Nabana no Sato offers a wide range of dining options, with restaurants scattered throughout the park, featuring Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and other cuisines. Highlights include:
Nagashima Beer Garden: A German-style beer hall with 400 seats, serving local craft beer and grilled sausages. The stylish yet cozy space also includes a multi-purpose room for various events.
Italian Restaurant “Mai”: An Italian eatery with 140 seats, offering authentic pizzas and pasta prepared in an open kitchen. The restaurant is family-friendly and perfect for couples.
Tonkatsu Restaurant “KATUO”: This Japanese-style tonkatsu restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere with 140 seats. Its minimalist design enhances the traditional dining experience.
Noodle Restaurant “Bashouan”: A serene spot with views of the garden, Bashouan has 160 seats and serves a variety of noodle dishes, including soba and udon. The signature tempura rice bowl is a crowd favorite, known for its crispy exterior and soft interior.
French Restaurant "Marseille"
Nestled in a serene waterside building, Marseille offers a relaxed dining experience with authentic French cuisine. Guests can enjoy beautiful views while indulging in delicious meals, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The restaurant has 120 seats, and its freshly baked bread is especially popular.
Chinese Restaurant "Tōsen"
Tōsen is a tranquil Chinese restaurant located in a quiet corner of Nabana no Sato, featuring a private garden that evokes images of a fairyland. The restaurant has 150 seats, including three terrace rooms, where guests can enjoy traditional Chinese dishes while overlooking the serene garden.
Japanese Restaurant "Hisui"
Unlike other restaurants, Hisui is located in the southern part of the park, near the flower plaza and light show. The building and garden follow traditional Japanese design, offering an immersive cultural experience. With 200 seats, including a large dining hall and private rooms, Hisui serves seasonal kaiseki meals made from fresh, local ingredients.
Mount Fuji Island (Island Fuji)
One of Nabana no Sato’s unique attractions is Island Fuji, an observatory that elevates guests 45 meters into the air for a 360-degree panoramic view of the park. Shaped like a UFO with a central Mt. Fuji structure, the ride offers stunning aerial views of Nabana no Sato, nearby Nagashima Spa Land, Centrair International Airport, and even the distant skyline of Nagoya. The ride is open day and night, costing ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children.
Garden Hot Spring "Satonoyu"
Nabana no Sato’s famous natural hot spring, Satonoyu, offers an ideal way to relax. The baths are filled with water from a natural spring 1,582 meters underground, with a water temperature of 61°C. Visitors can enjoy five types of baths, including outdoor and indoor options, surrounded by gardens. Amenities are fully provided, and towels are available for free. Entrance to the hot spring costs ¥1,200 for adults and ¥500 for children, with children under 3 entering for free.
Shopping Areas
Nabana no Sato has two main shopping areas: the "Village Market" within the park and the "Flower Market" located near Parking Lot B. The Village Market offers a variety of souvenirs, regional specialties, snacks, and handmade crafts. Meanwhile, the Flower Market, the largest in the Tokai region, boasts both indoor and outdoor spaces filled with organic vegetables, specialty produce, fresh flowers, garden tools, and furniture, making it a paradise for gardening enthusiasts.
Japan’s No. 1 Illumination Festival
At night, Nabana no Sato transforms into Japan’s top illumination spot, with its famous light show attracting over 2 million visitors annually since 2004. The festival's seven stunning nighttime scenes include:
Scene 1: Sea of Clouds (Unkai)
The main attraction of the 2021-2022 light festival, Unkai (Sea of Clouds), draws inspiration from traditional Japanese landscapes, creating a mystical, majestic scene. Clouds stretch out like waves, evoking hope and courage amid the ongoing global pandemic. This scene represents a bright future, illuminated by the light of hope. The display, located in the flower plaza, is 30 meters tall and 155 meters wide, combining cutting-edge LED technology with artificial mist and clouds. The fine water particles, between 10 and 20 microns in size, shift with weather conditions, creating a dynamic light show. Viewers can enjoy the spectacle from different observation points.
The Unkai show is divided into three chapters: Flower Mountain, Snow Mountain, and Wind Mountain, each about 3 minutes long, with the entire show lasting around 9 minutes.
Flower Mountain: This scene is filled with colorful flowers at the base of a majestic mountain, with brilliant fireworks lighting up the sky. The mountain transforms into a vibrant, dreamlike rainbow landscape.
Snow Mountain: A grand, snow-covered mountain peaks above a sea of clouds, with lightning and thunderstorms creating a dramatic atmosphere. The scene depicts nature’s raw power and beauty.
Wind Mountain: A golden desert emerges at the end of a sea of clouds, with giant crashing waves inspired by Hokusai’s famous woodblock prints. A massive comet streaks across the starry sky, with countless stars twinkling in its wake.
Scene 2: River of Light (Hikari-no-taiga)
This is Japan’s largest water-based light display, with an 8-meter-wide, 130-meter-long glowing river. Dynamic waterfalls flow down into the river, accompanied by graceful background music. The show, about 10 minutes long, uses cutting-edge LED technology capable of displaying 64 billion colors to capture the natural beauty of the seasons. The best viewing spot is the bridge opposite the church.
Scene 3: Flower Corridor (Light Tunnel)
A 200-meter-long tunnel lit by warm LED lights designed to mimic flower petals, creating a cozy, enchanting atmosphere. Accompanied by soothing music, this tunnel is a favorite photo spot and a festival staple.
Scene 4: Plum Blossom Tunnel
The 2021-2022 edition features a 100-meter-long tunnel illuminated by red, white, and pink LEDs to recreate the vibrant plum blossoms. The ume (plum) theme is a tribute to Japan’s iconic spring flower, which begins blooming in late January.
Scene 5: Sea of Light
A 1,000-year-old olive tree is bathed in glowing lights that tell different stories. The scene evokes the Mediterranean with a glowing blue sea and olive groves swaying in the breeze, creating a rich and atmospheric landscape.
Scene 6: Twin Trees
In front of the church stand two towering, 20-meter-tall cedar trees, completely wrapped in sparkling LED lights. These “twin trees” are the highlight of the lighting ceremony, a popular gathering point during Christmas. They’ve been named the most beautiful trees in Japan’s western region.
Scene 7: Flower and Light Fusion
During the Tulip Festival (late March to mid-April), 1.8 million tulips bloom, creating a breathtaking display. The flower plaza, one of Japan’s largest at 43,000 square meters, becomes a vivid scene of colorful flowers under twinkling lights. This vibrant combination of flowers and illumination creates a unique, dreamlike experience at night.
Project Summary:
Nabana no Sato seamlessly merges a flower-themed park with an elaborate light show, creating a seasonal spectacle that draws visitors year after year. Each annual design introduces a fresh theme, perfectly timed with the seasonal bloom of different flowers, encouraging repeat visits and cultivating a habit of multiple visits throughout the year. The park’s well-developed facilities and convenient transportation options ensure that a day trip provides ample time for exploration in a comfortable and relaxed setting. By deeply embedding Japanese and local cultural elements into its visual themes, the project not only establishes a distinctive brand identity but also significantly enhances its appeal to the international tourism market.
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