Sunflowers in winter?! Enjoy the earliest sunflowers in Japan

Sunflowers are normally a summertime phenomenon.

But in Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa, you can enjoy them in winter!

Okinawa is really famous for the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan, and it is also where you can enjoy sunflowers in January and February.

Where is Kitanakagusuku?

Kitanakagusuku (北中城村) is a village located in Nakagami District in Okinawa, Japan. 

In Kitanakagusuku, they have Nakagusuku Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a very popular castle site in Japan among both locals and tourists.

 Why sunflowers in winter?

People in Okinawa began growing sunflowers to make good use of farmlands which were not used at the time. They wanted to have a sunflower festival using those farmlands, but it wasn't as easy as they thought because of the strong typhoons in summer.   

Then, they thought they could do it in winter, when it's not typhoon season.

It was a great idea. The sunflowers bloom beautifully every year!

Okinawa has a lot of flower festivals, and this one is one of the most popular ones. Many people including non-Japanese go there to enjoy the earliest sunflowers in Japan. 

Sunflower Garden Wedding

You can even have your wedding ceremony among the sunflowers!

You can wear traditional Okinawan kimonos and a professional musician will play traditional Okinawan music for you.  It will certainly be a unique and memorable wedding for everyone who attends.