Yuni Garden - Hokkaido

Yuni Garden (ゆにガーデン) is a beautiful British-style garden popularly known for its kochia plants. It is located at 134-2 Fushimi in the town of Yuni in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Yuni Garden

Yuni Garden Details

Boasting vibrant seasonal displays of flowers and herbs, this picturesque garden also offers a magnificent chapel as a popular wedding venue. However, the true gem of Yuni Garden lies in its renowned Kochia Hill which features a staggering 32,000 kochia plants, making it the largest park of its kind in Hokkaido.

Yuni Garden - Yuni town, Hokkaido Prefecture

For those who are not familiar with kochia plants. It is known as summer cypress, the kochia plant is an exotic roundish beauty belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Throughout their growth cycle, these plants transform from vibrant green in summer to a captivating greenish-red, culminating in a brilliant scarlet hue by October. The unique round shape and fluffy texture of the kochia bushes make them a sight to behold.

Yuni Garden's main building

We're very excited to see what Yuni Garden has to offer

Vicinity map of Yuni Garden

Yuni Garden is not solely defined by its kochia plants. Rather, the garden showcases an extensive array of flowers that bloom by the changing seasons. In spring, visitors can marvel at the delightful blooms of Glory of the Snow, Ezoyamazakura, Someiyoshino cherry, and Chishimazakura. Japanese peach, crabapple, muscari, nanohana, daffodil, and tulip grace the garden with their colorful presence.

Yuni Garden's Kochia Hill

As summer arrives, the landscape transforms into a tapestry of vibrant purple linaria and blooming peonies. The captivating scent of roses permeates the air in the enchanting Rose Garden. Meanwhile, the introduction of 32,000 green kochia plants and the breathtaking beauty of approximately 400 hydrangeas in Hydrangea Alley creates a summer spectacle that leaves visitors in awe.

Aside from the Kochia Hills, Yuni Garden has 14 more areas which are the following:

 Fragrance Garden

Inside the chapel in Fragrance Garden

Water Garden

White Garden 

Boardwalk

Heath Garden

Due to time constraints, we weren't able to visit these areas:

• Knot Garden
• Special Garden
• Rose Garden
• Vegetable Garden
• Fruit Garden
• Hydrangea Alley
• Bell of Happiness
• Linaria Hill
• Indoor Garden

As autumn descends upon Yuni Garden, the kochia plants take center stage, harmonizing with the captivating blooms of kibana cosmos, roses, shumeigiku, and cochicum. The garden offers a truly unforgettable visual experience as vivid colors paint the landscape, captivating all who venture through its gates.

Yuni Garden's main building

Yuni Garden not only offers a visual feast for the senses but also a culinary adventure. Visitors can choose from three restaurants inside the garden. Restaurant "Chive" presents a healthy buffet featuring approximately 40 dishes using seasonal vegetables from the Yuni area. While enjoying tea time, guests can take in the beauty of the surrounding flowers on the open terrace of the Cafeteria "Basil." Those looking for a unique dining experience can indulge in raw lamb at the Experience Farm "Genghis Khan House."

Additionally, the fragrance shop and farmer’s market within the garden vicinity provide an opportunity to purchase souvenirs and locally grown produce to savor at home.

Team Nicerio visits Yuni Garden

My family and I first visited Yuni Garden last October 8, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 341st day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. Yuni Garden was the highlight of our visit to Yuni. We enjoyed strolling inside the garden and also taking pictures of the uniquely shaped kochia plants. 

Yuni Garden Fees

We visited during the peak season hence we paid 850 yen per person

Adults – 700 yen pax (April – August) / 850 yen (September – October closing)

Babies, Toddlers, and Elementary School Students are FREE.

For other fees, you can check the official website of Yuni Garden HERE.

Yuni Garden Operating Hours

Yuni Garden is open from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. 

Yuni Garden is closed in winter (from October to mid-April).

Why visit Yuni Garden?

Yuni Garden is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, offering a delightful journey through a spectacular display of flowers and herbs. From the enchanting Kochia Hill boasting the largest collection of kochia plants in Hokkaido to the breathtaking seasonal blooms found throughout the garden, Yuni Garden promises a mesmerizing experience. So, whether you are seeking a tranquil escape or a feast for the senses, Yuni Garden awaits, ready to share its stunning beauty and culinary delights with visitors from near and far.

Getting to Yuni Garden

 

The best way to go to Yuni Garden is by private/rental car as navigating to Yuni Garden requires a lot of transfers. Regardless, if you plan to commute, this is the route I'm most familiar with starts from Sapporo Station. Begin your journey by boarding the Local Iwamizawa train on the JR Hakodate Line and alight at Iwamizawa Station.

Upon arrival, make your way to Iwamizawa Terminal and catch the #25 Iwamizawa Naganuma Sen bus heading to Naganuma Terminal. Disembark at Ryokuhoen Iriguchi bus stop.

From the bus stop, a pleasant 1.1-kilometer stroll will lead you to the enchanting Yuni Garden. Enjoy the scenic walk and immerse yourself in the beauty that awaits you at your destination.

Travel time: 2 hours and 17 minutes

Fare: 1,850 yen

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