Okususoha Nature Garden

Okususo Bana Shizenen

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Okususoha Nature Garden is famous for its skunk cabbage colony. In May, the breathtaking sight of countless white flowers in full bloom awaits you.

Tourist destination images of Okususoha Nature Garden(1)

Tourist destination images of Okususoha Nature Garden(2)

Tourist destination images of Okususoha Nature Garden(3)

Tourist destination images of Okususoha Nature Garden(4)

Tourist destination images of Okususoha Nature Garden(5)

Overview

Okususoha Nature Garden is a nature park surrounded by beech forests in Kimusari, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Located at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, it offers a comfortably cool environment even in summer. The park features five ponds, wetlands, and waterways. Home to over 810,000 skunk cabbage plants—surpassing even Oze—it boasts the largest colony in Honshu. In May, the park is transformed into a breathtaking spectacle of blooming white skunk cabbage, captivating visitors with its beauty. The largest concentration of skunk cabbage can be found in the Imai Pond and Koumihira wetlands. The skunk cabbage typically blooms from late April to early June, with the peak season around May 10th to 20th. However, weather conditions may affect the timing, so checking beforehand is recommended. Besides the skunk cabbage, you can enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons, including the fresh green of the beech forest in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage. In June, brilliant pink Japanese mountain azaleas (renge-tsutsuji) burst into bloom, followed by lush greenery in July, vivid contrasts of blue skies and green leaves in August, and the fiery hues of autumn leaves in September. The garden is also home to over 60 bird species, making it ideal for birdwatching. You can spot various birds, including summer birds like narcissus flycatchers (ooruri) and Japanese paradise flycatchers (kibitaki), and winter birds like Japanese green finches (aoji) and Japanese stonechats (joubitaki). If you're lucky, you might even encounter wild animals such as bears or deer. Okususoha Nature Garden is a truly enchanting place where you can immerse yourself in the abundance of nature. It's a perfect escape for those seeking tranquility and respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Historic Sites
Scenic Views
Flower Viewing

Basic Information

Address: Hinoage, Kimusari, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Search for tourist attractions in Nagano

Access: 【Car】40km (80 minutes) from Nagano Station. 20km (40 minutes) from Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Kimusari. Parking available. When entering the address into your car navigation system, please use the Okususoha Dam phone number (026-256-2937). From Okususoha Dam, it's a straight drive of about 15 minutes to Okususoha Nature Garden. Okususoha Dam: 16943-4 Kimusari, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture / Phone: 026-256-2937 *For inquiries regarding Okususoha Nature Garden and Okususoha Valley, please contact the Kimusari Tourism Promotion Association (026-256-3188). ■From the visitor center (parking lot) to the nature garden entrance, it's a paved uphill path, approximately a 30-minute walk (20 minutes downhill). Enjoy the majestic mountain scenery and formations at your own pace. 【Shuttle Taxi Operation】A shuttle taxi service is planned between the nature garden parking lot (visitor center) and the nature garden entrance for a limited time. Details will be announced on our website once finalized. 【Direct Bus from Nagano Station】There will be no direct bus service from Nagano Station in 2024. Please check the Alpico Transportation website for details: https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/nagano/okususobana/ Show route

Op.Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Cld.Days: Open daily (however, it may be closed due to heavy snowfall)

Fee: ■Please pay at the toll gate located past the parking lot. April 29th - May 31st: ¥410 per adult (junior high school age and older) / ¥310 per adult (groups of 20 or more) June 1st - October 31st: ¥200 per adult (junior high school age and older) / ¥150 per adult (groups of 20 or more) * Elementary school children and younger are free. * The entrance fee is a contribution to the preservation of nature and is requested of all visitors.

INFO: ・Please be aware that there are no streetlights or garden lights, so we recommend entering the garden early enough to finish your walk before sunset. ・Okususo-hana Natural Garden is a natural, undeveloped garden. The paths are unpaved and include stairs, making it inaccessible to wheelchair users. Please note this in advance.