Heidi’s Village―A Beloved Theme Park and Flower Paradise

Heidi’s Village, known as the theme park of the classic anime Heidi, Girl of the Alps, is also a popular tourist destination with the charm of a flower park. Among its highlights is Japan’s longest “Rose Corridor,” supervised by renowned rose expert Midori Goto, making it an irresistible spot for rose enthusiasts. In addition to exhibits that bring the world of Heidi to life, the village also offers souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants, making it a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Heidi’s Village: A Storybook World of Exotic Charm
Adorned with Flowers

Heidi’s Village, which opened in 2006 after being renovated from its predecessor, the Yamanashi Prefectural Flower Center, is a tourist spot where visitors can enjoy the world of Heidi, Girl of the Alps. The anime, first broadcast in 1974, remains a beloved classic even in the 21st century.

Heidi’s Village is also beloved as a famous flower spot.

Areas such as “Panorama Flower Bed,” “Angel’s Garden,” “Shade Garden,” and “Farmer’s Potager” each showcase different garden styles. Spanning about 10 hectares, a full tour takes roughly two to three hours.

Spring begins with crocuses, tulips, and violas, followed by wisteria, roses, and lavender in early summer. Summer brings hydrangeas and sunflowers, while autumn features cosmos, red spider lilies, and autumn roses. Throughout the year, flowers of every season reach their peak.
The rose season is especially unmissable, featuring Japan’s longest rose walkway. Produced by rose expert Midori Goto, the 230-meter-long(755 ft) rose tunnel is truly spectacular—You’ll want to walk through it again and again.

This hugely popular tourist spot welcomes approximately 220,000 visitors annually, featuring a wide array of restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops. Highlights include the “Alm Mountain Hut,” which makes you feel as if you’ve stepped right into Heidi’s story, and “Peter’s Goat Hut,” where you can interact with goats. A wide variety of hands-on events are also available. Come visit this leisure spot where you can keep coming back for fun!

A Flower-Filled Theme Park 
Where Heidi might run around barefoot

At Heidi’s Village, vibrant tulips burst into full bloom from mid-April to early May. About 250,000 bulbs from six different varieties open all at once, creating a stunning display that blends beautifully with the Swiss-style buildings, giving an atmosphere rich in exotic charm. The contrast of reds and yellows is especially striking. Around the same time, you can also enjoy violas, cherry blossoms, and rapeseed flowers throughout the park.

In May, be sure to head out to see the German irises. Around 40,000 plants representing some 180 varieties are cultivated here. Taking advantage of the iris’s wide range of colors, the flowers are interplanted in mixed hues, creating sweeping clusters with a wild-garden feel. Around the same time, wisteria and poppies are also at their peak.

From late May to late June, Heidi’s Village enters its rose season. Approximately 7,000 roses of about 1,200 varieties are planted here. Under the supervision of rose specialist Midori Goto, the rose garden is designed to highlight the character and age of each plant. Its centerpiece is Japan’s longest rose walkway—a 230-meter(755 ft) corridor of blooms. As you stroll beneath this fragrant shower of roses, you’ll find yourself looking forward to discovering what view awaits around the next curve. Rose workshops led by Midori Goto are held regularly, so be sure to check the official website for details.

In July, the lavender reaches its peak. Strolling through the fields, now awash in shades of purple, you’ll be enveloped in a soothing fragrance carried on the breeze. Lavender picking experiences are available every year from July 1st to 30th. The participation fee is 500 yen (tax included; admission fee separate).

In mid-August, approximately 5,000 sunflowers will be in full bloom. Located 750 meters(2,460 ft) above sea level, Akeno Town in Hokuto City boasts the longest hours of sunshine in Japan, while the cool summer breezes at this altitude create the perfect conditions for sunflowers to flourish.

Heidi’s Village also takes part in the famous “Hokuto City Akeno Sunflower Festival”, and the “Sunflower Festival” is held in August. Visitors could enjoy a variety of summer-themed events such as projection mapping, alphorn playing experiences, and a stamp rally. Be sure to join in the fun!

Enjoy Halloween and Illuminations!
Daily Hands-On Activities, No Reservation Needed

At Heidi’s Village, Halloween and Harvest Festival is held from September 1 to October 31. The courtyard is decorated with large ornamental pumpkins and charming dolls, creating a festive atmosphere. During this period, a Halloween costume contest also takes place—why not join in and shout “Trick or Treat!” together?

Various events will also be held, including Halloween gel candle making, jack-o’-lantern carving, and a miniature garden contest.

In December, the park extends its opening hours until 9:00 p.m. for a special illumination event. The photo shows a dynamic display created with about 400,000 LED lights. 

Since the theme and design change every year, many visitors come back each year to see the new display. During this period, a wide variety of events take place, including projection mapping, a Christmas wreath contest, stargazing, and hands-on workshops such as making Christmas gel candles.

At Heidi’s Village, you can enjoy daily hands-on workshops such as creating herbariums, moist potpourri(semi-dried potpourri), botanical garlands, and bottle flowers using dried flowers. These activities are especially popular with women and families with children! 

The herbarium shown on the left costs 2,100 yen, and the moist potpourri on the right is 500 yen (both tax included; admission fee not included). Workshops are available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the “Swiss Flower Shop.”

Be sure to stop by Rottenmeier’s Café, a takeout-style spot. Popular items include Heidi’s White Bread Raclette Burger and the Kikyo Shingen Soft Plus. Pictured are the adorable “Goat’s Milk Ice Cream” served in a Heidi cup and the fluffy “White Bread,” a must-have from the Heidi anime story in Japan. There’s a terrace right in front, making it a perfect place to take a break.

Information

A Theme Park of Flowers and Happiness
Heidi’s Village

Address: 2471 Akeno-cho Asao, Hokuto City, Yamanashi/Japan

Call: +81-(0)551-25-4700

Official Website: https://www.haiji-no-mura.com

Access:
・About 30 minutes by Chigatake–Mizugaki Rural Bus from JR Chūō Line Nirasaki Station
・About 20 minutes by taxi from JR Chūō Line Nirasaki Station
・About 15 minutes by car from Nirasaki I.C. on the Chūō Expressway
・About 10 minutes by car from Sudama I.C. on the Chūō Expressway

Closed Days:
・January 1
・Tuesdays from January through the end of March (open if Tuesday falls on a public holiday)

Opening Hours:
・9:00–18:00 (April–July, August–November)
・9:00–21:00 (December)
・9:00–17:00 (January–March)

Admission:
【Apr-Oct】
High school students and older: 710 yen (570 yen for groups of 20 or more)
Junior high and elementary school students: 360 yen (280 yen for groups of 20 or more)
【Mar,Nov-Dec】
High school students and older: 260 yen (200 yen for groups of 20 or more)
Junior high and elementary school students: 130 yen (110 yen for groups of 20 or more)
【Jan 2-Mar 10】
FREE

◆For Guests with Dogs◆
In accordance with the “Heidi’s Village Dog Admission Rules,” please sign the “Consent Form for Dog Admission” and purchase an etiquette set (300 yen) for each dog.

Parking: 200 spaces (free)