(1) Overview and access to Nagashima Spa Land and Nabana no Sato
My mother is my companion on this trip. Since my mother's birthday is in November, I searched for a nearby sightseeing spot where we could stay overnight as a present. If I were traveling alone, I wouldn't choose theme parks as my destination, so I think it was a good opportunity to go to Nagashima Spa Land.
I knew of Nagashima Spa Land's jumbo seawater pool from commercials and news. Illuminations at Nabana no Sato are popular every year, and there were quite a few people around me who recommended it.
Another reason I chose this place was because I saw a hanging advertisement on Kintetsu trains saying, "3-day pass, 3000 yen". (Sold irregularly) This is a great value ticket that costs 3,000 yen for 3 days no matter how far you ride or make a round trip. Kintetsu express fares are cheap, you can buy a reserved seat ticket from Kintetsu Uehonmachi (or Tsuruhashi) to Nagashima (Kuwana) for about 1,500-yen one way. In other words, a round trip to Nagashima costs about 6,000 yen per person. It's very cheap.
When I searched on Rakuten Travel, there were several hits for the "Official Hotel" of Nagashima Spa Land. Surprisingly, Nagashima Spa Land admission ticket, Nagashima Onsen Yuami no Shima, and Nabana no Sato admission ticket are all included as a set. It would be better to stay at an official hotel.
I chose Hotel Nagashima from among them. Dinner is a buffet style, and even crabs are included in all-you-can-eat. "Hotel Hanamizuki", which is the most expensive of the official hotels, was also an option, but my mother said she had stayed there before, so I decided not to go this time.
On the day of the trip, I took a limited express train from Tsuruhashi Station and got off at Kuwana Station. Actually, I was planning to take a local train to Nagashima station and take a direct bus to Nabana no Sato. I forgot about it and got off at Kuwana station.
To get to Nabana no Sato from Kuwana Station, taxis are the only way to go. (You can go to Nagashima Spa Land by city bus.) During my trip this time, I learned that Nagashima Spa Land (amusement park, pool, hot spring, outlet mall) and Nabana no Sato are quite far, it's 8km apart. I was thinking they were all in one place.
(2) Stroll around Nabana no Sato during the day
I didn't want to go back to the train station again, so I got into a taxi in front of the station. It took about 15 minutes and the fee is about 2000 yen. Taxis and buses stop in front of the flower market right next to Nabana no Sato.
I have never seen such a huge flower market. My mother and I both like plants and flowers, so of course we went inside. December is the season for cyclamen and poinsettias. You will be surprised at how many different kinds there are. There were also many leaf peonies for the New Year. Flower viewing has already started before going to the Begonia Garden.
Please visit my glass jewelry shop from the link below.