Hitachi Seaside Park kochia
Photo: Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

33,000 kochia bushes are now growing at Hitachi Seaside Park

The fluffy green summer cypress will turn vibrant red in autumn

Kaila Imada
Written by
Kaila Imada
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From fields of colourful tulips to a sea of blue nemophila, the sprawling Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki has something to see every season. In summer, the park starts growing kochia, or summer cypress. These fluffy little bushes look like something out of a Dr Seuss book. 

Currently, there are approximately 33,000 kochia bushes growing at the park’s Miharashi no Oka Hill area, covering roughly 1.9 hectares.

Hitachi Seaside Park kochia
Photo: Fukamiyoga/DreamstimeA stock photo of Hitachi Seaside Park in summer

During summer, the bushes are in a fresh, vibrant green colour, but come autumn, they'll turn brilliant red. 

Hitachi Seaside Park
Photo: Banky405/Dreamstime

These 'fur balls' have just started to change colour. The best time to see them in their full red glory is from now to mid-October. Later into the month, they'll start to take on a dusty golden hue.

You can keep tabs on this year’s kochia colours via Hitachi Seaside Park’s website. The park is roughly two hours from Tokyo Station. See the park’s website for information on how to get there.

This article was published on August 18 and updated on October 11. 

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