Michinoku Mori no Kohan Park: Four Seasons at Tohoku's Largest National Park

Michinoku Mori no Kohan Park

Kokuei Michinoku Mori no Kohan Park in Kawasaki, Miyagi, is Tohoku's largest national park (approx. 700 ha) spread along the shores of Kamafusa Reservoir. Beautiful seasonal flowers and abundant nature activities make it a year-round destination.

Seasonal Events

• Spring (April–May): Cherry blossoms, tulips, and canola flowers carpet the grounds
• Early Summer (June): Roses, poppies, and lavender
• Summer (July–August): Sunflower fields
• Autumn (September–October): Cosmos peak bloom
• Winter (December–February): Illumination events

Facilities and Activities

• Athletic Plaza: Large outdoor play equipment for children
• BBQ Area: Reservation-based barbecue area
• Park Golf: Park golf on the vast lawn
• Outdoor Concerts: Summer outdoor music events

Getting There

• From JR Tohoku Main Line Ogawara or Sendai Station by Miyagi Kotsu bus: about 1 hour
• From central Sendai by car: about 45 minutes (via National Route 286)

Tips

Admission is ¥450 for adults (varies by season). Late April when cherry blossoms and tulips bloom simultaneously is the most popular time.

📚 Sources

This article is edited from publicly available information such as guidance published by Michinoku Morino Kohan National Government Park, Miyagi Prefecture, and the town of Kawasaki, and public information on the flowers and events, the furusato village, and the play equipment and water-play area within the park. That the park is the only national government park in Tohoku, spread along the shore of the Kamafusa dam lake, is based on public information. Opening hours and admission, flower timing and events, the illumination period, and bus and access conditions may change, so please confirm official information before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: Half a day to a full day to enjoy the flower fields, the furusato village, and the play equipment.
• What to prepare: You will walk the vast grounds, so comfortable shoes and seasonally appropriate clothing add comfort; bring a change of clothes if using the summer water-play area.
• Getting there: By car it is about 15 minutes from the Murata interchange on the Tohoku Expressway; by public transport, take a bus from Sendai Station or a Tohoku Main Line station. Check times in advance.
• Suggested route: Enjoy the seasonal flower fields, then tour the old farmhouses of the furusato village, the large play equipment, and the lawn plaza.
• Best seasons: Tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos and kochia in autumn each have their peak, and the winter illumination is also popular.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season: Tulips and rapeseed blossoms in spring, poppies in early summer, sunflowers in summer and cosmos in autumn mean the flower fields reach their peak in turn with each season. Blooming times shift earlier or later depending on the weather in a given year, so check the flower report on the official website before you set out.
• Admission: Entry costs 450 yen for adults (15 and over), 210 yen for seniors (65 and over), and is free for junior high school students and younger. Groups (adults) pay 290 yen. A two-day pass costs 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for seniors.
• Access: By car, about 10 minutes from the Miyagi-Kawasaki IC on the Tohoku Expressway (about 20 minutes from Sendai-Miyagi IC to Miyagi-Kawasaki IC, about 20 minutes from Yamagata IC on the Yamagata Expressway to Miyagi-Kawasaki IC, and about 45 minutes from Fukushima-Iizaka IC to Miyagi-Kawasaki IC). By public transport, take the "Akiu-Kawasaki Sendai Seibu Liner" bus from the west exit of Sendai Station to "Michinoku Park," about 70 minutes.
• Parking: 400 yen for an ordinary car, 1,100 yen for a large vehicle (30 seats or more), and 150 yen for a motorcycle.
• Clothing and gear: With a total area of 647.4 hectares, the park is vast and getting around inside is mainly on foot. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the season. If you plan to use the summer water play area, bring a change of clothes and a towel. Some flower field areas have little shade, so in summer don't forget a hat and plenty of water.

* Opening hours are 9:30 to 17:00 from March 1 to October 31, and shorter in winter, 9:30 to 16:00, from November 1 to the end of February. The park is closed every Tuesday (the following weekday when Tuesday is a public holiday), on the second and third Wednesdays of December, and from December 29 to January 3.

* In winter, the park grounds and the access roads may be covered in snow or frozen. If you are driving, prepare winter tires and pay attention to road conditions.

(Sources: National Government Park Michinoku Morino Kohan Park official website "Admission and opening hours," "Access," "Project outline and history" / Tohoku National Government Park Office, Tohoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)