Located in a rural municipality near Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture, Hanakairo offers an array of wooded trails, flower fields, greenhouses and covered observation decks to explore. Moreover, the grounds host various events throughout the year, so one can visit and have a unique experience in just about any season.
Whether traveling solo, as a couple or with family, Hanakairo offers something for travelers to enjoy.
An art museum of flowers
Photo by: Laura Payne Beautiful all year round.
Just like a museum that displays special exhibitions, much of the beauty of Hanakairo rotates with the seasons. In March and April, cherry blossoms and tulips are the main attractions. Summer brings hydrangeas and sunflowers, and autumn brings cosmos and changing leaves. During winter, guests can meander through illumination displays after dark.
Each example of seasonal beauty is cultivated in themed gardens such as Flower Hill, a section of Hanakairo that boasts an unobstructed view of Mount Daisen. The main viewpoint on Flower Hill, as the name suggests, consists of flower beds that contain different blooms throughout the year. If one takes a photo from just the right angle on Flower Hill, one can capture an image of Mount Daisen against a foreground of blooming flowers.
Other attractions at Hanakairo display flowers in bloom all year long. The Flower Dome is a greenhouse that raises tropical plants such as orchids, hibiscus and palm trees. East Wing is another indoor exhibit specializing in lilies, filling the room with their fragrance.
Activities and amenities
Photo by: Laura Payne All aboard the Flower Train.
Besides exploring garden paths, the Flower Train is another popular way to see Hanakairo. Departing from Hanakairo’s entrance, this train takes passengers on a loop through the central outdoor flower gardens.
Other available activities include creating pressed flower art (in the Flower Dome), shopping for souvenirs or trying pear soft serve ice cream–a specialty of Tottori Prefecture.
Restaurants and picnic areas are also available for visitors’ meals. Picnic areas are covered and come with tables and benches (there are few trash cans inside the park, so please be prepared to carry trash home with you). Meanwhile, on-site restaurants offer an expansive menu of Japanese foods made from locally-produced ingredients.
