(Spring: May.- Jun.) Season
of Alpine Roses (Shakunage)
‘Spring comes to Kusatsu with alpine
roses. In its blooming season, May to June, a blanket of alpine
roses covers more than 300ha area around Ropeway Sanroku Terminal.
Pink roses are called Azuma-Shakunage and yellow ones are Hakusan-Shakunage.
This alpine rosefs colony is designated as a national
protected species. The surrounding area has many good hiking
courses even for beginners to enjoy. Shirane Shrine, Mononugu
Pond and Sesshougawara Park are popular sight-seeing spots.
(Summer: Jul. - Aug.) Season
of Cotton Grass (Watasuge) and Rosebay (Yanagiran)
White cotton grass on swamps welcomes
you in summer time. This plant reaches full bloom around Mononugu
Pond in June and around Yumi-ike and Yoshigahara Rest House
in July. Specially the sight of Yoshigahara Swamp at the base
of Mt. Ura-Shirane covered by cotton grass is awesome.
In mid-July rosebay is in full bloom around Ropeway Sanroku
Terminal. Purple-red and about 1-2 meter high, the flowers
are sure to enjoy eyes of hikers and tourists in summer.
(Autumn: Sep. - Oct.) Season
of Yellowwort (Rindou )and Autumn Leaves
On Kusatsu Highland, Mt. Shirane
Area is the last place spring and summer come. On the other
hand, winter comes to the area earlier than other places. Autumnfs
approach is felt already in late August. The flower of this
season is dark purple Oyama yellowwort. Also autumn leaves
around Yumi-ike are set off against Mt. Shirane.
