Nada Kuroiwa Daffodil Garden is a famous flower-viewing destination in the Kuroiwa area of Minami-Awaji, on the southern part of Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. Known as one of Japan’s three major wild daffodil colonies, it offers a remarkable landscape where millions of flowers bloom across the hillsides overlooking the Kii Channel.
Spread across approximately seven hectares on the slopes extending from Mount Yuzuruha toward the sea, the garden is home to around five million Japanese daffodils. The contrast between the delicate white and yellow flowers, the green mountainside, and the blue waters below creates an unforgettable natural spectacle. The area is also known as Kuroiwa Daffodil Garden or Nada Daffodil Garden.
The site has a literary connection as well. In Kaoru Funayama’s novel Otosé, the heroine Otosé is portrayed as being from Nada Kuroiwa, adding a cultural dimension to this scenic destination.
The origins of the daffodil colony date back to the Edo period (1603–1868). According to local tradition, fishermen living in the area found daffodil bulbs that had drifted ashore and planted them on the nearby mountain slopes. Over time, the flowers spread naturally, creating the extensive colony seen today.
From the 1950s onward, local residents took the initiative in maintaining and improving the site, gradually developing it into a destination for visitors. The garden has since become one of Hyogo Prefecture’s best-known places to enjoy seasonal flowers, attracting visitors from across Japan and beyond.
Local residents began managing the site in the 1950s, and a privately operated management building was constructed in 1977. In 1996, the former Nandan Town acquired the land and buildings and developed the site as a public facility. Today, management is entrusted to the local community organization Nada-Numashima Furusato-kai.
The garden was originally open only during the winter flowering season. However, aging facilities led to renovation work between 2022 and 2023, including the reconstruction of the management building and improvements to the walking paths. After closing during the work, the garden reopened in December 2023 with updated facilities and year-round operation.
The renovated building includes Fuku Cafe on the second floor, where visitors can take a break during their visit. A rooftop observation area offers sweeping views across the Kii Channel, providing another way to appreciate the coastal scenery beyond the flower-covered slopes.
Traveling by car is a convenient way to reach the garden. From Seidan-Mihara Interchange on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, follow Prefectural Routes 31 and 76, including the Aman Bypass and the Minami-Awaji Daffodil Line. The drive is approximately 30 kilometers, with the route continuing mainly along the main roads toward the coast.
During the daffodil flowering season, shuttle buses operate to connect the garden with nearby transport hubs. Round-trip services run from the area in front of Nanairokan at Fukura Port. There are also services from the Sumoto Onsen area, which travel via Tachikawa Daffodil Garden before reaching Nada Kuroiwa.
The community bus service, known as the Ran-Ran Bus Daffodil Route, is another option, with five departures per day. Some services operate to and from Rikuno Minato Seidan, a highway bus stop, so visitors should check the route and timetable carefully before traveling. Seasonal shuttle services and local bus schedules may change, making advance confirmation advisable.
Nada Kuroiwa Daffodil Garden is an excellent stop when exploring southern Awaji Island. Nearby attractions include Keino Matsubara, a scenic pine grove and beach designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan, and the famous Naruto whirlpools, which form in the strait between Awaji Island and Shikoku.
Visitors interested in art can also explore the Takigawa Memorial Museum of Art, Seigyo-kan, in Minami-Awaji. Combining these destinations with the daffodil garden makes it possible to enjoy the island’s coastal scenery, cultural attractions, and natural wonders in one trip.
Nada Kuroiwa Daffodil Garden brings together a remarkable natural landscape, a long history of local stewardship, and modern visitor facilities. The sweeping hillside covered in daffodils, views of the Kii Channel, and peaceful coastal setting make it a memorable destination for nature lovers and photographers. Whether visiting to admire the flowers, relax at the rooftop observation area, or explore the surrounding attractions, the garden offers a distinctive experience on southern Awaji Island.