Rapeseed blossom spreading in one direction…

From mid April to early May the Suiha plateau in eastern Ehime prefecture is covered by 20 thousand rapeseed flowers.

Bathing in the sun, the yellow rapeseed flowers shine!

Walking paths have been set up here and there in the flower field, so you can take a walk as if pushing through the flowers.

Among the backdrop of Shikoku’s mountains area, one of Japan top 100 mountains, Mt. Ishizuchi can be seen towering at the very end.

I continue along the rapeseed flower field while gazing at West Japan’s famous highest peak…

As I walk along the gently ascending path, I see the Western style 2-storey observation deck.

It’s around 500 meters from the parking area to the observation deck.

Let’s climb the last slightly steep stairs up to it!

This is the view from the observation deck!

While a panoramic view of the Shikoku region opens out, stretching out below is Lake Kinsha, a reservoir!

The best time to see the rapeseed flowers is from mid-April to early May, but from summer until early autumn lovely early-blooming cosmos cover the whole plateau.

Driving further up from the flower field takes you to the 892-meter high peak of Mt. Suiha, which offers great views of the Seto Inland Sea islands and the Shikokuchuo city area. We recommend it as a night view date spot!

How about a walk in the flower fields of the Suiha plateau where you can see both the Seto Inland Sea and the mountains of Shikoku?
Suiha Plateau

Location:  306-1 Hiranoyama, Kinsha-cho, Shikokuchuo city, Ehime prefecture
Guide Homepage: http://www.shikochu-kankou.jp/?page_id=42 (Japanese)
Blooming season: Rapeseed flowers (mid-April thru early May), Cosmos (mid-August thru early September)
Admission: Free
Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Hironobu Matsuoka