At Hitachi Seaside Park (国営ひたち海浜公園) in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, the roughly 40,000 kochia on Miharashi Hill (みはらしの丘) entered their autumn-color viewing season on October 10 and are now at their peak, with the entire hill turning red. Peak viewing is expected to continue until around October 20, and from October 21 the color is forecast to shift to the second half of the viewing period, a gradient of red and brown.
Photographed October 15, 2026
Photographed October 15, 2026
Photographed October 15, 2026
Photographed October 15, 2026
Photographed October 15, 2026
Autumn color forecast (as of October 15)
See the kochia autumn color forecast
The Beautiful Color Change of Kochia
Photographed October 15, 2026
Kochia is an annual plant native to the arid regions of the Eurasian continent, belonging to the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae, ヒユ科) and the genus Bassia (ホウキギ属). Its Japanese name, "hōkigusa" (ほうき草, "broom grass"), comes from the old practice of drying its branches and stems to make brooms. The ornamental variety planted on Miharashi Hill, "Rouge" (ルージュ), grows into a round, plump shape and changes color from green to red as the seasons progress. Planting began on June 1, and after about four months the kochia have now reached their autumn-color viewing season.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Viewing (Autumn Color) | October 10–20 (second half of the viewing period: October 21–28) |
| Varieties | 4 varieties (all 4 can be seen in the specimen garden) |
| Number of Plants | Approx. 40,000 |
| Location | Miharashi Hill |
| Planting Area | Approx. 2.0 ha |
| Years of Planting | Began in 2006; this year marks the 20th year |
Note: The autumn color forecast may change depending on future weather conditions.
