Cosmos, “autumn cherry blossom”, at Ikoma Plateau in Miyazaki

Ikoma Plateau (Ikoma Kougen in Japanese) is a representative of a naturally-rich town, Kobayashi City, located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu. Ikoma Plateau is known for its flowery landscapes. A variety of flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the most popular flower viewing comes in early autumn, cosmos flowers. The sight of a vast area blanked with 100 million pink cosmos flowers reminds people of the Sakura (cherry blossom) view in spring.

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Flower carpets throughout the year at Ikoma Plateau

Ikoma Plateau cosmos

Kobayashi City is located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu. This city is famous for having a wide range of natural features such as pure natural water, a beautifully starlit sky, a range of mountains and variety of seasonal flowers. Ikoma Plateau (Ikoma Kougen in Japanese) is representative of this nature-rich town. Located at 540 meters above sea level, it extends to the foot of the Kirishima mountain range, the Kyushu mountainous area with the western valleys. Ikoma Plateau has been a popular spot for its flowery landscapes. Yellow broccoli flowers and Iceland poppies in spring, hibiscuses and salvias in summer. A variety of flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the most recommended viewing comes in early autumn with the cosmos flowers. The vast area of 120,000 square meters blanked with 100 million of cosmos flowers is breathtaking.

The Ikoma Plateau Cosmos Festival

Cosmos flower is written “秋桜” in Japanese kanji, meaning “autumn (秋) cherry blossom (桜=Sakura)”. As its name suggests, when in bloom, this flower will dye the fields lovely pink and white like Sakura (cherry blossom) does in spring. The most common image of Japanese autumn is probably red, orange and yellow, but pink cosmos flowers waving in a clear autumn blue sky is also one of the most iconic sceneries.

At Ikoma Plateau, approximately 100 million cosmos flowers of 17 different kinds are in bloom from mid-September till the end of October. During this time, the festival called “Ikoma Kogen (Plateau) Cosmos Festival” is held from 9:00 to 17:00. While enjoying the view of the pink floral carpet across Ikoma Plateau, you can sample food, drink and crafts, that are not only from locals but also from all around Kyushu. On certain days (usually beginning of October), opening hours are extended until 21:00 to hold a night festival with some special events, where cosmos flowers are illuminated. The sight of blossoms with 25,000 candles and 300 lanterns in various colors is very romantic and inspiring. You can enjoy great stage events with live music performance and fireworks at the end of the evening!

Apple-picking by the plateau

ikoma plateau in miyazaki

During the cosmos flower season, apple-picking is also a popular activity in Kobayashi City with many orchards to choose from. “Ikoma Kougen Ringo En” (Ikoma plateau apple orchard) is located right next to Ikoma Plateau. They open only in the apple harvest season, which is around the beginning of August to the end of November. There are approximately 500 apple trees over the 3.5ha area in this orchard. For a 400 yen entrance fee, you can pick apples out of the 15 varieties growing on over 500 trees, including well-known “Tsugaru” and “Fuji”. If you want to take their fresh sweet apples home, you can buy them for 900 yen per kilo. They also offer freshly homemade apple juice and sherbet here.

The sanctuary of starlit sky and natural water

starlit sky

Kobayashi City is also known as a starlit sky sanctuary. The Environment Agency of the government has chosen the city 5 times as “Japan’s top city with the most beautiful starlit sky”. Receiving this great honor as well as listening to the citizens’ requests, Kobayashi City built the astronomical observatory “Kita Kirishima (North Kirishima) Cosmo Dome” in 1994. It’s located only 2 min away from Ikoma Plateau by car. At the observation deck, you can see Japan’s starlit sky through the reflecting telescope at night. From this same spot, you can overlook Kobayashi City during the daytime. Even if you don’t get to see a starlit sky, dome planetariums in the same building can offer you an immersive star viewing experience. Also, there’s a star guide called “star sommelier” to share the mysteries of space.

If the weather is good, you can take a walk to Idenoyama Park from the Cosmo Dome. Idenoyama Park is famous for being in “the top 100 spring water” flowing from the range of Kirishima mountains. If you are lucky, you will be able to see fireflies here.

sturgeon

At Idenoyama Park, you’ll find restaurants where you can enjoy dishes of carp or brook trout that are raised in Idenoyama’s spring water. Sturgeon, more commonly known for providing “caviar”, has been increasing in culinary popularity in this area. At the restaurant by Idenoyama Park, and some restaurants in Kobayashi City, you can taste sturgeon sushi! If you are no much of a foodie and prefer to see the fish alive there’s a spot called “Idenoyama Tansuigyo Suizokukan” (Idenoyama Freshwater fish aquarium).

If you get tired from your trip, why don’t you stop at a hot spring? There are spots around Ikoma Plateau such as “Megumino Yu Kannogo Onsen” and “Cosmos Onsen” where you can take a relaxing dip.

Information

Ikoma Plateau is located in Miyazaki Prefecture. However, if you travel there from Tokyo, flying to Kagoshima Airport is an easier option than flying to Miyazaki Airport. Take the highway bus from Kagoshima Airport to Kobayashi IC, which takes about 50 min. From there, take Kobayashi City’s community bus called “Ourai”. It’s about a 15 min bus ride to get to Ikoma Plateau. If you have an international driver’s license or a Japanese driver's license, renting a car would be also a good idea to go around this area.

Address: 8565 Minaminishikata, Kobayashi City, Miyazaki Prefecture 886-0005
Tel: +81-984-27-1919