Innoshima Flower Center

Ride across the Shimanami islands and you will find that every island has places locals like, apart from the famous tourist spots. Innoshima Flower Center is one of those places that people who know the island go to.

This park spreads over the hills of Innoshima. Roses, azaleas, daffodils and plum blossoms flower through the seasons, and from the top of the hill you can look out over the Seto Inland Sea and the surrounding islands. The park is well kept but rarely crowded, so you can take your time here.

Spring (March–April): plum blossoms, daffodils and tulips

Plum blossoms and daffodils open as spring arrives, and the park's cherry trees add to them in cherry blossom season. Tulips are planted in one section of the park.

May–June: roses

The rose garden is one of the main attractions. In this season many varieties are in bloom, and you can compare their colors, scents and shapes up close. Many local fans time their visit to the roses.

April–May: azaleas

Azaleas cover the slopes of the hill in dense blocks of color. Red, pink and white azaleas bloom together and stand out even from a distance.

Winter (December–February): daffodils

Thanks to the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea, daffodils bloom even in winter. White and yellow daffodils flower in a season with few other flowers.

Because the park sits on a hill, several points inside it look out over the Seto Inland Sea and nearby islands. You get flowers and sea views in the same visit, which sets it apart from an ordinary flower park.

On a clear day you can see islands spread across a calm sea beyond the flower beds, a good scene for photos.

The park is on a hill a little off the main Shimanami Kaido route. You can add it to a deeper tour of Innoshima together with other spots on the island: Innoshima Suigun Castle, Mt. Shirataki and Hassakuya.

Visiting all of them takes about half a day on Innoshima. For travelers who want to explore the island properly, staying one night on Innoshima is an option. See also the Shimanami Kaido cycling guide.

The flowers in bloom change a lot by season, so check the park's website or local tourist information for the latest bloom status before you go. Admission is inexpensive, and there is a parking lot.

On weekdays there are few visitors and you can walk around slowly. Weekends during rose and cherry blossom season can be somewhat busy, but it is still calmer than the better-known tourist spots.