Zama

Zama is a small city located in central Kanagawa that is big in sunflower fun! Every July and August, Zama celebrates the over 550,000 sunflowers that bloom along the Sagami River with its Sunflower Festivals. Both the Kurihara field in July and the main Zama field in August serve as jovial venues for stunning sunflowers, music, sunflower-themed festival food, and photogenic moments. Do not forget to bring your camera as you walk among summer’s flowers!

Aside from its sunflowers, Zama is also a welcoming spot to relax in nature. Explore forest paths, wetland boardwalks, and seasonal flowers at Zama Yatoyama Park and pack a picnic to enjoy at one of its many seating areas among the trees. Other notable parks include Zama Park, Himawari Park, Kanigasawa Park, and Fujiyama Park, which feature not only nature walks, but also sports fields, playgrounds, and open areas for sitting. As you unwind in nature, heal your mind and spirit with visits to Zama Shrine, Shoukoku-ji Temple, and/or Suzuka Shrine.

For car enthusiasts, Zama’s Nissan Heritage Collection is a must-see. This private car gallery holds over 400 hundred cars from the 1920s to 2010s and is free to enter! Just be sure to book a reservation online.