Lavender Season Approaching at Kokuei Hitachi Seaside Park

The "Kaori no Tani" (Fragrance Valley) herb garden at Kokuei Hitachi Seaside Park is nearing peak lavender season. Fields of purple blooms swaying in the breeze, accompanied by a fresh, calming fragrance, signal the arrival of early summer at the park.

Lavender: A Soothing Herb

Lavender (Lavandula, family Lamiaceae) is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean coast. Its fragrance is known to promote relaxation and ease anxiety and tension. Lavender is broadly classified into six groups: English (Angustifolia), Lavandin, Stoechas, Pterostoechas, Spica, and Dentata. The park has planted the Lavandin variety "Grosso."

Getting to Kaori no Tani

To reach the lavender-filled "Kaori no Tani," the "Kaihin-guchi / Kaze no Gate" (Ocean Gate) or "Minami-guchi / Aka no Gate" (South / Red Gate) entrances are recommended. From the "Nishi-guchi / Tsubasa no Gate" (West / Wings Gate) or the "Chuo-guchi" (Central Gate), the Seaside Train or rental cycles are the convenient options. The park also offers a digital map with route search functionality to help visitors easily navigate from their current location to their destination.

Nearest gate walking times:

• Kaihin-guchi / Kaze no Gate: 10-minute walk
• Minami-guchi / Aka no Gate: 10-minute walk

A Herb Garden Full of Fragrance

Kaori no Tani is a sunken flower bed-style herb garden set in the valley of the 砂丘ガーデン. Its sloped terrain creates a three-dimensional landscape, and the garden is home to a variety of herbs with distinctive scents. Alongside lavender, visitors can enjoy "Curry Plant," which carries a curry-like aroma, and "Cola Plant," whose leaves release a cola-like scent when rubbed.

"Lavender Festival": See, Make, and Smell

A craft event celebrating the beauty of lavender is being held, led by park volunteers known as the "Herb Partners." The event includes hands-on activities such as making lavender bouquets and sachets using lavender grown in the park — suitable for both children and adults.