Idyllic landscapes of seasonal flowers and fun for all ages with hands-on activities at Risoukyo in Towada City
Risoukyo is a hands-on facility and garden open from spring to autumn in Towada City. Visitors flock here especially from May to July to see the sprawling fields of gorgeous flowers, which include Japanese irises, Chinese peonies, lupins (also known as lupines), Christmas roses, poppies, and hydrangeas as well as native wild plants. But beyond the picturesque scenery, there’s plenty more to enjoy at this interactive facility—read on to find out!
Risoukyo has numerous garden areas, the largest of which is the Japanese iris garden. Here, about 200,000 Japanese irises of 500 different varieties bloom across an area of about 10,000 square meters. They are best viewed from around late June to early July. Meanwhile, in the 4,000-square-meter lupin garden, about 10,000 lupins of 300 different varieties reach full bloom from around late May to late June. The similarly sized Chinese peony garden features about 2,000 Chinese peonies of 160 different varieties, in bloom from around early to mid-June.
One of the most iconic structures on Risoukyo’s grounds is a restored traditional thatch-roofed house from the early twentieth century that was relocated to the facility’s premises. This rustic building is now open as a restaurant serving delicacies such as handmade soba noodles, rice cooked with chicken in a circular wooden wappa box (reservation required), and homemade blueberry ice cream.
Especially popular with families is Risoukyo’s rabbit enclosure, where visitors can pet and feed adorable baby bunnies. The idyllic landscape also includes a picturesque koi pond stocked with fish, a water wheel fed by pristine water from Lake Towada that flows into a waterfall, and much more.
In addition, the facility hosts various seasonal events including “Imagination Night,” an event held for three nights in June when the lupins are in bloom. The lupin garden is lit up with spectacular lighting that creates a magical ambience, and the event also features nightly fireworks as well as food trucks offering tasty refreshments. It’s an unforgettable extravaganza of light, sound, flowers, and fun.
Another highlight of Risoukyo is its extensive program of hands-on activities for visitors. For example, in the soba noodle-making workshop, you’ll start by kneading the dough from stone-ground buckwheat flour and then learn how to roll and stretch the dough and cut it into noodles of the proper width. Finally, at the end, you’ll get to taste your freshly made noodles, the best part! The lesson takes about two hours, with the fee depending on the number of participants (check the facility’s website for details). Soba noodle making is offered from May to October.
Another available activity is water-shield picking, in which you ride in a small boat and gather water shield, an edible aquatic plant with a unique texture that is considered a delicacy in Japan. For this activity, participants must be at least nine years old, and it is recommended to wear loose, comfortable clothing that can get slightly wet as well as to take measures against the heat. Water shield is in season from around early June to late July, and the activity takes about one hour. (Fees are listed on the facility’s website.)
In the pizza-making workshop available from May to October, you’ll start by stretching out a rice-flour-based dough and proceed to add your favorite toppings before baking your pizza in Risoukyo’s special brick oven. Then, it’s time to eat! There’s nothing like piping-hot pizza fresh from the oven. The class takes about an hour and is offered between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (Check the website for fees.)
Blueberry picking does not require a prior reservation and is available throughout the month of July. For only about 500 yen per person, you can enjoy all-you-can-pick, all-you-can-eat blueberries of several different varieties with no time limit. Since the berries are grown organically, they can safely be eaten on the spot without rinsing! You can also take home the berries you picked (fee varies).
*All workshop fees listed above include instructor and material fees. A separate facility entrance fee is required. All hands-on activities except for blueberry picking require a reservation made at least two or three days in advance.
If arriving by public transport, the closest stations to Risoukyo are Shichinohe-Towada on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen and Kamikitacho on the Aoimori Railway, from which the facility is about a 20-minute taxi ride. If arriving by car, the drive takes about 50 minutes from Hachinohe City, 70 minutes from Aomori City, and 40 minutes from the Oirase Gorge. Note that the entrance fee varies by season, so be sure to check the details on the facility’s website in advance. The facility is closed for the month of August and from November to around mid-April.
Whether it’s a gorgeous carpet of colorful flowers spreading as far as the eyes can see, interaction with animals and nature, delicious food, exciting events, or enriching hands-on activities, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at Risoukyo, a facility that’s truly fun for the whole family!
