Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

The Basics

Wind your way through the Orchid Maze at your own pace or book a guided Farm Tour and Tasting. If you are interested in a deep dive on the tropical flowers, join the latter for a chance to tour the greenhouse, learn about orchid cultivation, and get dirty by planting your own orchid souvenir. Mid-day tours include a locally sourced lunch served in the greenhouse topped off with handmade poha berry ice cream.

The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens are a popular stop on many tours of the Big Island and can be visited alongside other nearby attractions such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and black-sand beaches.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens are ideal for gardening enthusiasts and are a great rainy day activity for everyone.

• You must book tours and greenhouse lunches in advance.

• The Orchid Maze is free to enter and walk-ins are welcome.

• The showroom and gift shop are accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The gardens are located between Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Highway 11 in the town of Volcano. If you have a car, the gardens are an easy stop on the way to the national park. You can also join a group tour that includes a visit to the gardens.

When to Get There

The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens are open 10am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday, and are closed Sunday and major holidays. Farm Tour and Tastings are offered Tuesday through Friday at 11am (lunch and ice cream included) and 2pm (includes ice cream but no lunch). Orchids bloom in the garden year-round, but to see a prized $20,000 orchid in bloom visit between May and August.

The Origins of the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

The Akatsuka Orchid Gardens were founded in 1974 by Moriyasu Akatsuka, who developed his skills and love for orchids at his family-run orchid nursery in Japan prior to creating the farm in Hawaii. Akatsuka acquires plants from across the globe and cultivates hybrid offspring, breeding a unique collection of orchids that he displays and sells. His most famous orchid, named Volcano Queen, was brought to the Big Island from Thailand and is valued at $20,000.

Ways to explore

Meander through a maze of more than 500 blooms, learn about orchid growing and cultivation from the knowledgeable staff, and browse the gift shop—or select an orchid to take home. There are no formal guided tours, but the staff is available to answer questions about orchid care and cultivation. You can visit on your own, or take a tour that combines a stop at the gardens with nearby attractions such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and black-sand beaches. Check hours before you visit, as the nursery has limited retail opening time.

Accessibility

The orchid showroom is accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, reusable shopping bag for souvenirs

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, light layers

Not allowed

Touching the plants or bringing outside food and beverages

Amenities

Restrooms, gift shop, vending machine

Address 

The gardens are in the small town of Volcano, roughly a 10-minute drive from Volcanoes National Park. Look out for them on the left side of Highway 11 between exits 22 and 23. For ease, drive or take a tour.

Driving

From Hilo, take Highway 11 toward Volcanoes National Park for about 23 miles (37 kilometers)—roughly 40 minutes without traffic. Free parking is available on site.

Public transportation

There isn’t any public transit that goes directly to the gardens. The closest you can get is to take the Route 11 bus to Glenwood and walk or catch a ride for the remaining 3 miles (4.8 kilometers).

Best times to visit

Get there around when the store opens at 9am for the best selection of orchids.

Best days to visit

The store is currently only open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm. Check its website for the most recent hours.

Best months to visit

Orchids bloom in the garden year-round, but to see a prized US$20,000 orchid in bloom, visit between May and August.

Special events

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens doesn’t host special events, but you'll see many orchids every July at the Hilo Orchid Society Annual Show and every May at the Kona Orchid Society’s Mother’s Day show.