The Kuroyachi Wetlands
At the foot of the mountains where Chausudake and Hachimantai meet, the land in the Kuroyachi area is covered in a layer of black peat. In spring, the deep winter snows begin to melt, and in the vast wetlands, aquatic plants and wetland plants such as Japanese knotweed emerge from among the dead grass of the previous year. In summer, Asiatic black lilies, aki no kirinso, and Japanese knotweeds sway in the breeze, creating a refreshing landscape. In autumn, clusters of gentian trees paint the marshland with a vivid purple color, enveloping the area in a magical beauty. The seasonal changes in Kuroyachi are a breath of fresh nature that captivates visitors.
Along ridges where strong winds blow, plants adapted to dry conditions grow strongly. On the other hand, in the moist environment below the cliffs, where the snow has not completely melted and the wind does not reach, plants adapted to wet conditions can be found. However, because plant growth is slow in this harsh environment, wildflowers such as Nikkohkisuge, Komebatsugazakura, Kuruma Yuri, Ugo-Thistle, and Shinano Kimbai finally bloom after the spring alpine plants on the summit have come to an end. These flowers, which bloom with the changing seasons while enduring the harsh alpine climate, are a precious reminder of the short summer season.
