Kuju Flower Park in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, is holding its autumn event, Autumn Flower Festa: A Flower Field Connected to the Sky, from Saturday, September 12 through Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Set on the Kuju Highland inside Aso National Park at an elevation of 850 meters, the park spans 220,000 m² and ranks among the largest flower theme parks in western Japan. This autumn's centerpiece is 70,000 African marigold plants filling the park's premier scenic spot, Highland Colors (7,000 m²). The yellow and orange blooms spread across the ground in a bold sweep of color, framed by the Kuju mountain range and clear autumn skies.
Beyond the marigolds, the park brings out a tricolor salvia field in blue, white, and red gradients, a bright celosia field, a butterfly exhibition timed to the migrating Asagimadara butterfly, and a night-opening event that lights up the flower fields after dark — giving visitors plenty to enjoy from daytime through evening.
This Year's Centerpiece: 70,000 African Marigolds Across Highland Colors
Highland Colors, the park's most scenic area at 7,000 m², is filled this year with 70,000 large-bloomed African marigold plants. The yellow and orange color combination covers the ground in vivid contrast, with the Kuju mountain range and autumn sky as a backdrop.
- Bloom period: Late September to late October
- Location: Highland Colors (7,000 m² / 70,000 plants)
- Colors: Yellow, orange
A Gradient of Autumn Flower Fields
Tricolor Salvia (Four Seasons Hill / 40,000 plants, 4,000 m²)
A hillside of salvia in rhythmic bands of color, swaying in the highland breeze — a favorite photo spot. (Bloom period: early September to mid-October)
Bright Sparks Celosia (Overlook Hill / 30,000 plants, 4,000 m²)
A British-bred celosia variety known for its vivid color and striking form. Its bold hues stand out from a distance against the backdrop of the Kuju mountain range. (Bloom period: mid-September to late November)
Kochia (Colors Hill / 5,000 plants, 3,000 m²)
Kochia shrubs shift from fresh green to deep, vivid red, offering a gentle gradient of autumn color. (Bloom period: early October to early November)
A Long-Distance Traveler: The Asagimadara Butterfly and World Butterfly Exhibition
The Asagimadara, a butterfly known for migrating across the sea, arrives at the park from late September, drawn to fujibakama (boneset), its favorite flower, growing in the Clematis Garden. When conditions are right, hundreds can be seen fluttering gracefully at once, drawing photographers and enthusiasts from across the country. Unafraid of people, the butterfly is known for its slow, graceful flight and striking wings, and moves on south again by mid-October.
A special feature, the World Butterfly Exhibition, runs alongside the migration period.
- Asagimadara migration period: Late September to mid-October
- World Butterfly Exhibition: September 19 (Sat) to October 25 (Sun)
Evening and Weekend Events
Night Flower Park Autumn (special night opening)
The flower fields are lit up after dark for a special evening event, paired with views of a star-filled sky.
- Dates: October 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), 24 (Sat), 31 (Sat)
Autumn Dog Gathering
A dog-friendly event where visitors can stroll the flower fields with their pets.
- Dates: October 31 (Sat) to November 1 (Sun)
Two Gardens With an International Feel
Rose Garden
Around 1,500 rose bushes across 350 varieties bloom in the clear highland air, filling the garden with fragrance. Visitors can wander at their own pace and discover a favorite among the many distinct varieties.
Kuju Garden
Flowers tended by the park's gardeners create an English-garden atmosphere, with areas arranged by flower color and by height, rewarding a closer look.
Main Flowers: Bloom Period and Planting Scale
| Flower | Bloom Period | Area | Size (m²) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Marigold | Late Sept – late Oct | Highland Colors | 7,000 | 70,000 plants |
| Tricolor Salvia | Early Sept – mid-Oct | Four Seasons Hill | 4,000 | 40,000 plants |
| Bright Sparks Celosia | Mid-Sept – late Nov | Overlook Hill | 4,000 | 30,000 plants |
| Asagimadara (Fujibakama) | Late Sept – mid-Oct | Clematis Garden | – | – |
| Kochia | Early Oct – early Nov | Colors Hill | 3,000 | 5,000 plants |
| Autumn Roses | Early Oct – early Nov | Rose Garden | – | 350 varieties, 1,500 bushes |
Facilities and Stay
The park has cafes and restaurants where visitors can relax surrounded by flowers, along with a fragrance shop and a dried-flower shop. Live events and shows are also held on-site during the festival period.
An on-site glamping facility, Kuju Flower Park Glamping Park Hana to Hoshi, offers overnight stays surrounded by the flower fields and starry sky.
Event Overview
Name: Autumn Flower Festa: A Flower Field Connected to the Sky
Period: September 12 (Sat) to November 3 (Tue, holiday), 2026 — open every day during the event
Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM); extended evening hours on Night Flower Park Autumn dates
Venue: Kuju Flower Park (4050 Kuju, Kuju-machi, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture)
Admission: Adults (high school age and up) ¥1,300; children (age 5 and up) ¥500
Website: https://kuju-flower-park.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuju_flower_park
