The Shiga Kogen wetlands, located in the Kita-Shinano area of Shiga Kogen, are a high-altitude marsh formed by the drying up of the former bottom of Lake Shiga, and are designated as a natural monument by the prefecture. The best time to see cotton grass, which looks like it is wearing a white cotton cap, is from early June to early July.
Located about 35 minutes by car from the Shinshu-Nakano Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway, the pond is on Route 292 (Shiga-Kusatsu Road) and, as its name suggests, is round in shape. Surrounded by broad-leaved trees such as Japanese maples and maple trees, the area offers magnificent autumn colors in fall.
The pond is located in Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture, and was named for its resemblance to a musical instrument, the biwa (Japanese lute). The path is 2 meters wide and fully paved, allowing visitors to take a leisurely stroll while enjoying the seasonal scenery of fresh greenery and autumn leaves.
The pond is located in the Tashiro Marshland, after passing through a virgin forest, and is characterized by its shallow depth, which was created by the damming of the stream by sediment that flowed into the pond from the surrounding area, including Hachiemon-zawa. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from the Taishoike bus stop, and about 35 minutes from the Kamikochi bus terminal.
The marshland around Tashiro Pond, located after passing through a virgin forest, is a charming place to see flowers of the season, such as azaleas and ginkgo baikamo, as well as clumps of heraldic sedge. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from the Taishoike bus stop or about 35 minutes on foot from the Kamikochi bus terminal.
The marshland on the Kurohime Plateau in Kita-Shinano is a perfect spot for a stroll, with a small waterfall and a well-maintained walking trail. There is also a small waterfall and a well-maintained walking trail, making it an ideal spot for a stroll.
"Also called ""Pond Walnut"" because it surrounds Ashikura Pond, this 1,550-meter-high marsh is one of the three major marshlands of Kirigamine, along with Kurumayama and Yashima-gahara. A boardwalk that takes about 70 minutes to walk around the pond allows visitors to enjoy the seasonal changes and experience the precious natural environment of the marshland."
The marshland in Omachi City, designated as a prefectural natural monument, stretches 130 m wide and 1.5 km long, and from spring to summer, a variety of flowers bloom, including mizubashou, mitsukashiwa, and kakitsubata. Kashima Jarake-dake at the back of the marshland and enjoy forest bathing.
It is the fifth largest wetland in the country with an area of 3,168 hectares. The center of the wetland contains about 803 hectares of peat and was designated as a national natural treasure in 1922. It is also known as the “wetland of flowers” and is a beautiful marsh, of many species of flowers blooming from spring to autumn, including daylilies and irises.
This is a beautiful marshy area of 12 hectares at an altitude of 600 meters, also known as the “Ose of Kyushu.” Here, nature remains unspoiled with 60 species of marsh plant, insects and wild birds inhabiting the area. Beautiful flowers such as buckbean and water shield bloom among the seasons, with the best time being August when the fringed orchids are a must-see for their beautiful flowers that resemble a white heron opening its wings for flight.
Sasagaken Peak Plateau in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture
The pond Shimizugaike is located next to Sasagamine Farm in Suginosawa, Myoko City. Standing by the Pond, there are beautiful views of Sasagamine Farm and of the nearby landscape. The Pond is situated around 15-minute walk from Sasagamine Greenhouse; there are two footpaths giving access to the Pond, one that goes through the Norway spruce forest and another that runs along the edge of Sasagamine Farm. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the Sasagamine highlands.
Located at the northern foot of Mt. Chokai, this marsh is surrounded by the Nakajimadai Recreation Forest. This mysterious marsh is home to 11 underground waters, including the one called Detsubo, and flourishes with a moss valued worldwide. The water is also home to the spherical moss Chokai marimo. This marsh offers various magical natural experience.
This large wetland plain on the north side of Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a designated Aomori City Natural Monument. There are trails and rest stations on the plain for easy walking. There are many wetland plants here, and from June through August the plain is covered in blossoms. In autumn, the fall foliage paints the plain with a beautifully colored brush.
A beautiful, wetland area sprawling across the towns of Nakanojo and Kusatsu in northwest Gunma Prefecture. The area was registered in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands list in 2015. The wetlands were significantly influenced by the volcanic activity of Mt. Shirane in their formation, and their lush verdure creates a striking visual contrast with the desolate mountain. The wetlands are also a special district of Joshin’etsukogen National Park, and visitors can enjoy hiking in amidst the area’s magical scenery. The wetlands are a habitat for native species such as Rhacophorus arboreus frogs and chatsubomi moss.
A wetlands where the source of the waters used in the Yumoto Onsen hot spring district is found. High temperature hot springs well up from the ground in various locations around the marsh, and a sulphurous smell hangs in the air. Due to the qualities of the hot springs, the ground has been turned an ash white, and few plants grow here. The area is dotted with low huts housing pumps for drawing hot spring water. As it is dangerous to walk directly on the marsh ground, the area has been outfitted with wooden walkways for use by tourists and the people who monitor and maintain the hot spring waters.
This small marsh is located close to the peak of “Mt. Akagi.” At an elevation of 1360 meters and 800 meters in circumference, this area is a treasure trove of marsh and alpine plants. The Japanese azalea in summer and the leaves in fall are worth a look. There is a boardwalk around the Kakumanbuchi pool for a casual 30-minute stroll.
A wetlands area located on a highland over 1,000 meters above sea level in Kitashiobara Village, Yama County, Fukushima Prefecture. The area is famous for its community of Nikko day lilies, which come into bloom each year from late June to early July. This lily species has been designated a National Natural Monument and many people come here to view the blossoms. During the blooming season, traffic by private vehicles is restricted for environmental conservation reasons, and visitors must take a shuttle bus which runs during this time.
Marugahara Plateau of Nagano Prefecture Higashi Miyuu
A wetlands area located in Yunomaru Highland in Tomi City. Situated 2,000 meters above sea level and known as a treasure trove of alpine plants, the area experiences extreme variations in temperature throughout the year, resulting in a diverse environment in which many plants and animals gather extending from the lower slopes of the highland up to mountains 3,000 meters tall.
A wetlands area located in the Kamikochi area in Azumi, Matsumoto City. The wetlands are located a 15-minute walk from the Kappa Bridge, seen as a symbol of Kamikochi, in the direction of Myojin. There are wooden walkways and decks in the area, making it easy for visitors to walk amidst lush natural scenery interweaving Mt. Roppyaku, natural springs, Japanese pampas grass, and, in fall, lovely autumn foliage.
This lake is located in Ikenohara, Miyoshi-cho, Miyoshi City. The west area, including the lake, is maintained as a multipurpose park. In addition to the 2000 cherry trees that bloom in the spring for the Miyoshi Sakura Festival, there is also the Miyoshi Lake Festival in the summer, with seven boats that circle the lake with 401 lanterns, and also fireworks that are launched from the surface of the lake as well as underwater starmine fireworks.
