Around 220,000 sunflowers are in full bloom in the town of Sayo, Hyogo Prefecture. The large golden blossoms, thriving under the intense summer sun, are drawing visitors from across the region.
Sayo has planted sunflowers in fallow fields since 1990 as part of a local revitalization initiative. To extend the viewing season, the flowers are planted at three sites with staggered blooming periods.
The Higashitokusa site, covering 4.4 hectares (about 11 acres), opened to visitors on July 16. The other two sites will open in the coming weeks, with the blooms expected to last until mid-August.
“The bright yellow of the sunflowers is such an uplifting color—it gives you energy,” said a woman visiting from the nearby city of Aioi. “It’s been extremely hot since the rainy season ended, but seeing these beautiful flowers has been incredibly refreshing.”
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Shigetaka Doi, The Sankei Shimbun
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AloJapan.com