Shikisai no Oka flower gardens in Biei, Japan

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Hokkaido, the second largest island of Japan, is known around the world as a winter wonderland. But once the snow melts, it's not long before Japan’s northernmost main island bursts with colour. Just outside the small town of Biei, which is surrounded by wide fields and hills, gardeners create a rainbow blanket of tulips, lupine, marigolds, dahlias and many more flowering plants. If you visit the gardens of Shikisai no Oka (meaning 'Hills of Seasonal Colours') between April and October, you're sure to find at least one type of flower in full bloom.