Beautiful blue nemophila blanket the ground (Photo: そらみみ/CC By SA 4.0)

Nemophila Season at Yabakei Valley

Enjoy a carpet of baby blue eyes in Oita

Beautiful blue nemophila blanket the ground (Photo: そらみみ/CC By SA 4.0)
Kim Bergström   - 1 min read

Nemophila, or baby blue eyes, are one of Japan's popular springtime flowers, and one of the most well-known spots to enjoy them is Ibaraki's Hitachi Seaside Park. There are many other spots where you can appreciate their beauty, including the ultra-scenic Yabakei Valley in Oita Prefecture.

The nemophila here are planted by the local community, and they blanket the ground in a stunning blue hue. They're enhanced even more by the rocky backdrop of Kyoshuho, one of the peaks in the valley. For those planning a visit, the blooming season starts around mid-April and runs through until early May.

For those who can't make it here during spring, it's also a popular spot in autumn when the leaves begin to change.

Getting there

Due to the off-the-beaten-path location of the valley, it's best accessed via private vehicle. Take the Kusu Interchange from the Oita Expressway, and it's around a 20 minute drive from there. Free on-site parking is available.

Kim Bergström

Kim Bergström @kim.b

Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here.  🍵🌼🌸