At Michinoku Lakeside National Government Park (国営みちのく杜の湖畔公園) in Kawasaki, Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture, a total of 7,000 kochia are at their autumn-color peak, creating a vivid red autumn scene. All photos were taken on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
A total of 7,000 kochia are planted in the park: 5,700 across the whole of the roughly 6,000 m² Dandanbatake terraced fields (だんだん畑), and 1,300 in a roughly 400 m² section of the Irodori no Hiroba (彩のひろば) large flower bed. The kochia began to change color around the end of September, as the temperature difference between morning and evening grew, and the good weather of the past few days has sped up the color change all at once. Due to factors such as insufficient sunlight, the plants are generally smaller than in a typical year, but they have once again turned bright red, creating a beautiful autumn landscape.
Kochia in autumn color against a blue sky (Dandanbatake)
The color changes depending on the time of day and how the light hits the plants (Dandanbatake)
The effect of insufficient sunlight is especially noticeable around the trees, where the kochia are smaller
Kochia at Irodori no Hiroba
The peak of the autumn color is expected to last for about another week to 10 days. After that, the kochia will gradually begin to turn a wheat color. Visitors can enjoy the changing color of the kochia as autumn deepens.
Note: The progress of the autumn color may vary depending on weather conditions. For the latest status, please check the park's website.
Irodori no Hiroba (South Area), photographed October 15, 2026
