The start of August marks the beginning of the sunflower season in Japan, so Aoyama Flower Market stores in Tokyo are dedicating this month to the brilliant yellow blooms. Throughout the month, each store has a dedicated corner selling fresh, vibrant sunflowers picked every Saturday morning in Tateyama, Chiba. You can buy a bunch in full bloom or a little early, so you can watch them blossom.
On August 7 and 8, (10am to 10pm) the recently established Aoyama Flower Market store within Shinjuku Bicqlo Bic Camera store will get into the season with sunflower vending machines. About 5,000 fresh sunflowers will be available via the machines and the store's new online mobile ordering service. If you walk past the shop, sunflowers of all sizes in bouquets and vases will greet you at the storefront.
Meanwhile, Aoyama Flower Market in Minami Aoyama is serving limited-edition sunflower-inspired meals and drinks at its greenhouse-style café and teahouse, ornamented with sunflowers all around, until August 31.
Special treats include sunflower-colored mango French toast (¥1,650) served with orange and kiwi, yogurt ice cream and yellow edible flowers with nuts on top, plus homemade lemon Assam tea cream soda (¥880) with lemon jelly and mint.