Kochia planting season has kicked off at Hitachi Seaside Park (国営ひたち海浜公園) in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki. Starting June 1, staff members are carefully placing approximately 40,000 kochia plants across Miharashi Hill in a flowing green pattern. Each small seedling is planted by hand, a process that has become one of the park's signature early-summer sights.
The planting is carried out by an extended team of around 260 people over approximately 26 working days in total, with completion expected around July 4.
Small, Fluffy, and Round — Only in Mid-Summer
From mid- to late July, the hillside fills with small, soft-looking kochia that can be enjoyed only during this brief window of the season. This year also brings a new layout change: kochia will be planted at Miharashi-no-Sato, located at the base of Miharashi Hill, in addition to the hill itself — so visitors can enjoy the plants stretching all the way from the foot of the hill to the top.
From a Green Summer Stage to a Scarlet Autumn One
Kochia belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is native to the dry regions of Eurasia. Its Japanese name "hoki-kusa" (broom grass) comes from the traditional practice of drying the branches and stems to make brooms. The seeds are also edible as "tonburi," sometimes called the "caviar of the fields." The ornamental variety grown at the park develops a lush, rounded form and turns a striking red in autumn.
Kochia (Green Leaf) Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Viewing Period | Mid-August to late September |
| Number of Varieties | 4 varieties (Miharashi Hill features 1 variety: Rouge; the specimen garden showcases all 4) |
| Number of Plants | Approx. 40,000 |
| Location | Miharashi Hill |
| Planting Area | Approx. 2.3 ha |
Kochia Specimen Garden Varieties
| Variety | Number of Plants |
|---|---|
| Kochia "White" | 50 |
| Rouge | 40 |
| Takino Fire Egg | 40 |
| Kochia "Apricot" | 40 |
Creating a Landscape, One Seedling at a Time
After the park's nemophila has been cleared and the soil tilled, guide lines are drawn at 70 cm intervals across Miharashi Hill so that the fully grown plants will form the park's distinctive wave-like design. Holes are then made at even spacing and each approximately 15 cm seedling is planted carefully by hand.
Join in the Planting
Visitors can take part in the planting themselves at a hands-on experience event held on the hill. The event aims to promote urban greening, nurture an appreciation for plants and living things, and involve the community in shaping the park.
Kochia Planting Experience Event
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | June 27 (Saturday), 10:00 AM–11:30 AM |
| Location | Miharashi-no-Sato |
| Registration | Walk-in on the day |
| Capacity | 100 participants |
| Rain Date | Postponed to July 4 (Sunday) |
