Kochia Carnival

Typically during October, approximately 33,000 kochia (summer cypress) turn Miharashi Hill in Hitachi Seaside Park a crimson red. The deep red against a blue sky is truly a sight to see, as the rounded bushes transition from their vibrant summer green to a fiery autumn hue. This seasonal phenomenon, known as the Kochia Carnival, covers the expansive hillside to create a textured, surreal landscape overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Alongside the kochia, millions of cosmos flowers typically reach full bloom at the base of the hill during the same period, providing a soft pink and white contrast to the surrounding fields of deep red.

Entering through the West Entrance (Tsubasa Gate) provides the most direct walking route to the hill. The timing of the color shift is strictly dictated by nighttime temperatures; a consistent drop in evening degrees is required to trigger the “deep red” phase, otherwise the plants may remain in a mottled green-and-red transition state for an extended period.