Hitachi Seaside Park (国営ひたち海浜公園) in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, is holding its "Kochia Carnival" (「きて みて さわって コキアカーニバル」) from Friday, September 18 through Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Alongside kochia and other autumn flowers, the carnival brings events celebrating the season's arts and sports, plus seasonal gourmet food for an autumn appetite — the park invites visitors to come, see, and touch their way through a full autumn outing with friends and family.
Admission is free on Monday, September 21 (Respect for the Aged Day) for visitors aged 65 and older, and free for all visitors on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, as part of Urban Greening Month in autumn (parking fees still apply).
Visitors who want to view the nighttime kochia light-up (コキアライトアップ) held during the carnival period will need a separate, paid viewing ticket.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Period | September 18 (Fri) to November 3 (Tue, holiday), 2026 |
| Hours | 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (September 18–October 31); 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (November 1–3) |
| Open Days | Open daily except Tuesday, September 29 |
| Admission | Free for junior high school students and younger; ¥450 for adults; ¥210 for seniors (65+) |
| Admission (Oct 9–Nov 3, seasonal pricing) | Free for junior high school students and younger; ¥800 for adults; ¥560 for seniors (65+) |
| Parking (per day) | ¥600 for regular cars; ¥300 for motorcycles; ¥1,800 for large vehicles |
Autumn Flowers Bring Color to the Park
This year, kochia has also been newly planted at Miharashi-no-Sato, at the foot of Miharashi Hill, so around 40,000 kochia now form a layered landscape stretching from the base of the hill to its summit — a different look from previous years. From early October, the foliage gradually turns color, shifting from a green-and-red gradient to full autumn red, then to a red-and-brown gradient. Around the hill, this year's Welcome Garden — now double its previous planting area — greets visitors, while yellow cosmos and zinnias also come into full bloom, filling the area with colorful autumn scenery. Lycoris, pampas grass, autumn roses, and other flowers add vivid color throughout the park this season as well.
Kochia (autumn color) (photographed October 18, 2025)
Yellow cosmos (photographed August 31, 2026)
Welcome Garden (photographed August 15, 2026)
| Best Viewing | Location | Varieties | Number of Plants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kochia (autumn color) | Mid to late October | Miharashi Hill / Miharashi-no-Sato | 4 varieties (incl. specimen garden) | Approx. 40,000 |
| Yellow Cosmos | Early to late October | Miharashi Hill | 2 varieties | Approx. 2.7 million |
| Welcome Garden | Mid-August to late October | From the Miharashi Hill entrance to around the first summit | 31 varieties | Approx. 40,000 |
| Zinnia | Mid-August to late September | Miharashi-no-Sato | 1 color (2 varieties) | Approx. 350,000 |
| Lycoris | Late September to early October | Hinanohayashi (ひなの林) | 1 variety | Approx. 18,000 |
| Pampas Grass | Late August to late September | Around the meadow (大草原) | — | Approx. 500 clumps |
| Roses | Late October to early November | Hitachi Rose Garden (常陸ローズガーデン) | Approx. 120 varieties | Approx. 2,900 bushes |
Plenty of Events for the Whole Family
The carnival period is packed with hands-on events for all ages. These include the "Health & Sports Festival" (September 27), a health-focused event that gets visitors moving, and the "Ibaraki Urban Greening Festival" (October 11), which celebrates flowers and greenery. A pottery festival (海浜陶芸まつり, October 17–18) lets visitors fully experience the appeal of Kasama-yaki pottery. Other highlights include the "Volunteer Festival" (October 24), centered on the park's volunteers and featuring a variety of activities, and a wind-band concert and marching showcase (吹奏楽カーニバル, October 25) by school groups and the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Band — offering something for young children and adults alike.
Health & Sports Festival (September 27)
Seasonal Kochia-Themed Treats
During the carnival, the park offers an autumn-only lineup of kochia-inspired food and drink. The "Marukoro Kochia Soft Serve," a signature autumn treat visitors can enjoy photographing alongside the kochia, is joined by the "Kochia Latte," made with Ibaraki-grown matcha and strawberry to capture kochia's coloring, and the park's original blend coffee, "Kochia Blend."
Marukoro Kochia Soft Serve
