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Every year over 500,000 cosmos burst into color at Chiba Prefecture’s Sakura Furusato Square on the shore of lake Inba-numa. Because the event is known to draw in large crowds of people it was decided that it was best to cancel it during 2020 in order to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
But with the state of emergency lifted, the event is once again being held, and for the first time in two years, fields of color are stretching out from the foot of the Dutch windmill located in the centre of the park.
The event is being held while the cosmos are still in full bloom, and will end on Oct 24, after which the park will begin to make preparations for next spring’s Tulip Festival.
During the Festival, visitors can participate in digging up cosmos flowers from the root, which can then be brought home. Additionally, the onsite kitchen car will be selling season-limited foods and drinks to enjoy at the park.
Hours: 09:00 – 16:00
Admission: Free
Digging up event: 5 flowers – 100 yen, unlimited – 300 yen
Venue: Sakura Furusato Square (2741 Usuida, Sakura City)
In addition to the Cosmos Flower Festival, there are a number of other ways to enjoy the Sakura Furusato Square.
For starters, visitors are encouraged to take a look inside the Dutch Windmill, known as ‘Liefde’ for free.
This windmill was built in 2004 to commemorate the friendship and goodwill that has existed between the people of Japan and The Netherlands since the Edo era. During that time, the lord of the Sakura domain was highly invested in Dutch studies, and the area became one of the driving forces behind the introduction of Dutch medicine to Japan.
The windmill is Japan’s first water-pumping windmill that is controlled completely by the wind. The name, Liefde, is inspired by the name of the Dutch ship that sailed into Japan with the purpose of exchange during the Edo era.
To enjoy the park to the fullest, visitors can hire bicycles and take in the sights of the park whilst cycling along the bike path that follows the shores of Lake Inba-numa. Whilst on weekends, there is a traditional tour boat operation that can take visitors out onto the glistening waters of the lake.
Lake Inba-numa sightseeing boat
Adults (Senior high school students and above): 1,000 yen
Children: 500 yen
Enjoy sightseeing on Lake Inba-numa, and take in the view of the cosmos fields in full bloom from a completely different angle.
The rides take approximately 40 minutes and are available on Saturdays and Sundays only during the festival at the following times:
9:30, 10: 00, 10: 50, 11: 20, 12: 40, 13: 10, 14: 00, 14: 30
*Operation is dependent on the weather, and may be cancelled in the case of storms or strong winds.
Bicycle Rental
Regular Bicycle/Dutch Bicycle: 500 yen per day
Rent a bicycle out for some Lake Inba-numa and cosmos viewing fun. Bicycles are available for rent from in front of Keisei / JR Sakura Station or at the Sakura Furusato Square itself. There are five locations around the park and lake to which they can be returned.
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- https://grapee.jp/en/
2 Comments
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shogun36
The misleading title makes it seem like the flowers took a year off from blooming.