Talk about seasonal FOMO - Hitachi Seaside Park is one of those places where timing is everything. We weren't there when those famous blue nemophila flowers turn Miharashi Hill into what looks like a piece of sky fallen to earth. When those 4.5 million baby blue flowers bloom in spring, it must be absolutely surreal.

The place is massive - we're talking 350 hectares of perfectly maintained park space. Beyond those famous blue flowers, they've got this whole year-round flower calendar thing going on, plus an amusement park thrown in for good measure. They've even got a little train to cart you around when your feet get tired from all that flower-viewing!

For anyone planning their Japan trip: check the flower calendar carefully if you want to catch those nemophila in bloom. And if you make it there when we couldn't, please send photos! We need to know if that sea of blue flowers really looks as otherworldly as it does in pictures.