Fields of flowers at Nokonoshima Island Park

3:01 PM

A beautiful 15 hectare nature park, Nokonoshima Island is a good place to visit to enjoy flowers. There are different flowers in bloom year round. Depending on the season you visit you can enjoy a variety of flora. On my visit in fall, I saw beautiful fields of cosmos, marigolds, etc.

Nokonoshima Island park is approximately 15 hectares. It would take about 2-3 hours to explore. The areas are not flat and would require some inclined climbs. I would suggest going left once you enter as that area is smaller flower field compared to the left side. You can see different fields of flowers in bloom depending on the season of your visit. I visited in the fall and the fields were full of cosmos flowers. Take a leisurely stroll as you admire the flora. Make sure not only enter the pathways and not damage the plants.

After explore more the park on the right. From the main entrance, you’ll walk downhill to reach the flower beds. Depending on season they may be azalea or hydrangeas. On my visit, there were a variety of flowers including marigolds. Follow then the path way to reach the stores and cafes. If you follow the pathway towards the right you’ll reach the great lawn. There is a larger restaurant with a great view of the lawn.

oxalis

If visiting in spring during the cherry blossom season. Straight from the entrance towards the water to reach the cherry blossom hill.

There are also many activities you can go while enjoying the park such as visiting the various animals, riding the many swings throughout the park, or try rope skiing (grass sledding)

SPRING FLOWERS: Cherry Blossom, rapeseed, Livingstone daisy, poppy, rhondodendron, marigold.

SUMMER FLOWERS: Hydrangeas, plumed cockscomb; dahlia, sunflower, cockspur coral tree, bougainvillea, scarlet sage;

AUTUMN: cosmos; dahlia, cockspur coral tree, scarlet sage , oxalis

WINTER: Japanese narcissus; camelia sasanqua; japanese camelia; plum; oxalis

You can also rent these if you don’t want to walk.

Before heading back you can stop at the gift shop before exiting the park premises or while waiting for the bus back to the ferry port. You can also grab a bite or shop at the shops beside the port. Usually the bus schedule fits the ferry schedule and you’ll have just a few minutes before the ferry departs. You can of course opt to take a later one if you’d like to explore more the island.

The easiest way to reach the ferry terminal from the city center is to take the bus to Meinohama Ferry Passenger Terminal. From JR Hakata Station, you can take Bus 301, 300 or 302 to NOKO DOSENBA. The bus stop is across the terminal and you can use your IC card (SUICA etc) or pay the exact amount. Make sure to tap your card to the reader once you get on or get a number. It takes about 42 mins from Hakata Station.

Bus stop at Meinohama Port

The best to take the bus. Note schedule. Bus stop is just across the ferry terminal.you can pay with your IC card or pay exact amount. Make sure to tap your card or get a number when u alight. You can check the timetable http://jik.nishitetsu.jp/menu?lang=en to see which one fits your schedule and matches the ferry schedule you want to take.

Ferry ticket

Getting on the ferry

It takes about 10 mins for the ferry and it starts boarding 10 mins before the departure time. One way ferry tickets are ¥230 (adult) & ¥120 (child). I’d suggest getting a round trip ticket ¥460 adult / ¥240 child to save you time on your return. The ferry also carries vehicles. The passenger area is on the sides of the ferry.

Ferry starts boarding 10 mins before the departure time For ferry schedule.

The bus to the Island park is across the street once you get off the ferry. Bus timetable is available HERE. Bus fare for one way is ¥240 (adult) and ¥120 (child). You may use your IC card on the bus.