Tambara Lavender Park is one of the largest lavender fields in the Kanto region, spreading across the Tambara Highlands in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture, at an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters.
During summer, around 50,000 lavender plants bloom across the highland, creating a spectacular landscape of soft purple flowers. Located about two hours by car from Tokyo, the park is also a popular summer retreat thanks to its cool climate. The average summer high is around 25°C, making it a refreshing escape from the heat of the cities.
The main flowering season is from early July through August. As a gentle mountain breeze passes through the fields, visitors can enjoy the sweet, delicate fragrance of lavender while surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the highlands.
Summer in the Tambara Highlands is cooler and generally less humid than the lowlands, with clean, refreshing air. These conditions provide a suitable environment for growing lavender, producing colorful and fragrant flowers.
The park features several varieties, including Koimurasaki, Okamurasaki, Nananarisawa, and Grosso. Because these varieties bloom at different times, the landscape changes throughout the season, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful lavender scenery over an extended period.
Lavender is not the only attraction. More than 100 varieties of flowers and plants add color to the highland landscape. In late August, kochia turns a vivid crimson, creating a striking seasonal transition from fields of purple to deep red.
During the summer season, a chairlift operates within the park, taking visitors toward the upper part of the lavender fields.
Riding above the flowers provides a memorable view of the vast purple carpet below. From the upper area, visitors can also walk back down through the park at a leisurely pace, with numerous scenic spots that are ideal for photography.
The cool mountain breeze and spacious surroundings make it easy to explore the park at your own pace while enjoying the natural beauty of the highlands.
One of the treats visitors should try at Tambara Lavender Park is the lavender soft-serve ice cream.
Its delicate purple color makes it especially photogenic, while its subtle floral fragrance and gentle sweetness create a distinctive highland dessert. A lavender-and-vanilla combination is also available and is an easy-to-enjoy option for children.
The restaurant also serves original lavender-inspired dishes, including chilled lavender ramen. A selection of dishes made with ingredients from Gunma Prefecture is also available, allowing visitors to enjoy local flavors during their time in the mountains.
The park shop offers original products made using essential oil extracted from lavender grown on the premises.
The selection includes soaps, aroma oils, honey, mosquito-repellent products, and other items that make use of lavender’s fragrance and flavor.
Visitors can also find a wide range of Gunma specialties and locally made products. Limited-edition items available only at the park make memorable souvenirs of a visit to the Tambara Highlands.
Tambara Lavender Park also has a dog run, allowing visitors to enjoy the highland environment with their dogs.
With spacious natural surroundings and activities beyond simply viewing the flowers, the park offers something for adults, children, and dogs alike.
The fact that there is much more to enjoy than lavender alone is one of the park’s greatest attractions.
When summer ends, the Tambara Highlands take on a completely different character. The area becomes Tambara Ski Park, a winter resort spread across elevations of approximately 1,200 to 1,550 meters.
The resort is known for its dry, high-quality snow and has long been associated with the nickname “Konayuki Tambara,” meaning “powder-snow Tambara.”
The ski area is particularly suitable for families and beginners, with many beginner and intermediate courses.
The Family Course has an average gradient of only about 5 degrees, making it gentle enough for those experiencing skiing for the first time. Once visitors gain confidence, they can take the lift toward the summit and enjoy skiing or snowboarding while looking out over the scenic Lake Tambara.
The long operating season, generally from late November through early May, is another attraction. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy activities such as snowshoeing and sledding.
The ski resort is approximately 19 km from the Numata Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, making it convenient for a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Tambara Lavender Park and Tambara Ski Park offer completely different experiences depending on the season, transforming the same highland resort into a summer flower destination and a winter snow resort.
In summer, visitors can stroll through fields of purple lavender beneath cool mountain skies. In winter, the landscape becomes a snowy playground for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow activities.
At an elevation of approximately 1,300 meters, Tambara offers a refreshing escape even in the middle of summer. Enjoy the scenery, fragrances, local treats, and seasonal activities that make this highland destination unique.