A 35-minute drive from Obihiro Station takes you through quiet farmland to a sudden burst of color. Shichiku Garden, home to 2,500 types of plants across 18,000 tsubo, was created with love by Akiba Shichiku—affectionately known as “Flower Grandma.” Until her passing in 2021, she poured her heart into this garden, which continues to heal and inspire visitors.
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What is Shichiku Garden Like?
- Founded by Akiba Shichiku: She began serious gardening at 60 and became a legendary “Flower Grandma.”
- Size: 18,000 tsubo: About 1.3 Tokyo Domes filled with themed flower beds and maze-like paths.
- 2,500 Plant Varieties: Tulips in spring, a sea of blue delphiniums in summer, and dahlias and thalictrum in autumn.
The garden changes with each visit, making it a favorite among locals who return again and again.
Suggested Itinerary
Time | Activity | Highlights |
8:30 | Enter the Garden & Breakfast | Enjoy a reservation-only buffet breakfast made with local Tokachi ingredients. Afterward, try their scones or original herbal tea. |
9:30 | Tulip Fields | In late May, color-coded rows look like a living carpet. |
10:00 | White Birch Path | A scenic photo spot connecting the Tokachi Plain and the garden. The contrast between birch and lupines is breathtaking. |
10:30 | Tea Break at the Restaurant | Savor a rose-flavored soft serve (¥450) while enjoying the breeze on the terrace. |
11:00 | Delphinium Garden | In July, tall blue blooms blend with the sky, creating a wall of color. Walking the paths between the towering flowers is pure joy. |
11:30 | Garden Shop | Picked up flower seed packs and handkerchiefs with Shichiku designs. |
Seasonal Bloom Calendar
May–June | Tulips & Spring Bulbs
- Best in the Morning: Capture the “flower prism” effect as sunlight shines through translucent petals.
- Crocuses and hellebores add lovely accents.
July–August | “Tokachi Blue” Delphiniums
- Peonies, daylilies, and lupines bloom in succession.
- Golden hour at 4 PM creates stunning silhouette photos in the backlit fields.
September–October | Fall Colors & Blue Salvia
- Hydrangeas like Minazuki and Annabelle dry into charming fall hues.
- From the “Straw Hat Bench” at the back of the garden, enjoy a patchwork of autumn leaves.
Nearby Garden-Hopping Ideas
- Manabe Garden (20 min drive): Enjoy conifers and the “Sky Blue Forest.”
- Tokachi Hills (25 min drive): Have lunch at the farm-to-table restaurant “Niwakara.”
- Nakasatsunai Art Village (20 min drive): See real-life versions of those floral wrapping paper designs.
Visit Shichiku → Manabe → Hills in one day and collect all three stamps on the Garden Road!
[Information|Contact]
TEL: 0155-60-2377
Opening Period: Apr. 19 – Oct. 31, 8:00–17:00 (Last entry: 16:30)
Admission: Adults ¥1,000 / Students ¥200 / Preschoolers Free
Parking: 50 spots, free
Pets: Allowed on a leash in the garden (not inside buildings)
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Official Website
A Garden Where Flowers Whisper
The charm of Shichiku Garden lies not only in its flowers but also in the people who love them and the stories behind them. Don’t worry if you get lost—just around the corner, new colors and scents await.
So, which path will you take first?