In Hokkaido, a sunflower field is considered the largest planted area in Japan. The 23.1 hectares Himawari no Sato is located in Hokuryu town, southwest of Asahikawa City. The residents of Hokuryu started cultivating sunflowers in 1979. With its fertile land and favorable weather, about 1.5 million of 30 types of sunflowers grow in Himawari no Sato annually, The first sunflower festival was held in 1987.