Kitashiobara Village, Yamagata County, Fukushima Prefecture. There is a path called "Seseragi Exploration Route" leading to the high moorland at an elevation of 1,090m from the Urabandai Yukozawa entrance.
What spreads out there is Oguni-numa Wetland.
In 1957, it was designated as a national natural monument, and is one of the representative high-altitude wetlands of Tohoku.
And from mid-June to early July each year, a special scenery rises here.
The entire wetland is filled with the yellow of the daylilies.
The reason it is called 'the best in Japan'
When it comes to daylilies, the well-known gathering places are Oze and Kirigamine.
However, when looking at the number of plants per area, Oguni-numa Wetland surpasses Oze and is said to be the best in Japan.
In other words, there is no other place in Japan where daylilies bloom so densely within a limited wetland area.
When standing on the wooden path of the wetland during the best viewing season, a 'sea of yellow' stretches as far as the eye can see from your feet to the horizon. It spreads like waves, not just one by one. Every time the wind blows, the entire cluster sways slowly.
At an altitude of 1,090m
Oguni-numa Wetland is located within the Oguni-numa Caldera, which spreads to the northwest of Mount Bandai. The mountains surrounding Oguni-numa create a terrain that forms the edge of the caldera.
From the foot of the mountain, one cannot imagine that such a scenery exists beyond that mountain. However, as you walk the trail from the parking lot and reach Oguni-numa, the world changes. The sky is closer. The wind feels different. You can smell the wetland.
At an altitude of 1,090m. It has a different climate from the lower world. Even in June, while the foot of the mountain is humid and hot due to the rainy season, above Oguni-numa, the air is refreshing and feels like early summer. The moment the sweat cools down, customers uniformly say, 'It’s cool here.'
Not just daylilies
What can be seen in Oguni-numa Wetland is not just daylilies. As a treasure trove of wetland plants, various flowers bloom with each season.
- Watasuge ── White spikes like cotton candy. Early to mid-June
- Renge Tsutsuji ── Vivid orange color. Mid-June
- Sawaran ── Small purple-red orchid. Early July
- Hiohgi Ayame ── Blue-purple wild iris. Late June
Before the peak of Nikkō Kizuge, you can see the contrast of Watasuge's white, during the peak Renge Tsutsuji's orange and Kizuge's yellow, and after the peak Sawaran's purple ── within a few weeks in June, the colors of the wetland dramatically change.
Walk after you know, Ukokunuma
When we guide customers at Ukokunuma, we tell them, 'This is a place where Nikkō Kizuge blooms more densely than Oze.' Initially, some may look skeptical, but the moment they stand on the wooden path of the wetland, they say, 'It's true.'
The wooden path can get crowded, so early morning is especially recommended. During the time when the morning mist clears, the remaining dew among the clusters sparkles in the morning sun.
Many customers say, 'I'm glad I came this far.'
If you visit Ukokunuma
Best viewing period
Typically mid-June to early July. It varies from year to year, so please check the latest blooming information at the Urabandai Visitor Center and other places.
Access
From Urabandai, drive to the Yukozawa trailhead. From there, it's about a 1.5-hour walk on the trail to the entrance of the wetland. During the best viewing period, a dedicated shuttle bus (with car restrictions) operates, so please check the latest information from the Kitashiobara Village Tourism Association.
Equipment
We will climb the natural mountain trail. Since the distance is considerable, please prepare comfortable shoes, drinks, rain gear, and warm clothing (the marshlands are at a high altitude and can be cold in the morning and evening).
Places to visit together
- Goshikinuma Nature Trail ── A classic route that you can stop by in the afternoon after descending to the foot.
- Lake Hibara ── The largest lake in Urabandai created by the eruption in 1888. The village of Hibara sleeps beneath the lake.
- Nakase-numa ── A unique landscape where a mountain floats in the marsh.
A journey to encounter stories, would you like to join us?
At Tabinoito, guide Catherine, who has lived in Urabandai and Aizu for half a century, shares stories of the land that are not found in guidebooks, providing guidance for one group per day.
We can arrange a half-day course in June that includes Ukon-numa Marsh + Goshikinuma + Lake Hibara, with an early morning departure plan targeting the best time for Nikko Kisuge. Leave all long-distance driving and arrangements to us.
"I want to see the best scenery in Japan" or "I want to walk slowly in nature with my spouse" ── Whatever your request, feel free to ask. It's okay to just consult, and we will not pressure you at all.
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Related Articles:
A hill floating in the marsh ── The memory of the 1888 eruption told by Nakase-numa and 'Nagareyama'
Reference Materials
- Urabandai Tourism Association (Kitashiohara Village)
- Bandai Asahi National Park (Ministry of the Environment)
- Urabandai Visitor Center Local Exhibits and Interviews
- On-site coverage (Visit and interviews by Tabinoito guide, Catherine)
About the author of this article
Catherine ── A guide who has lived in Fukushima Prefecture, Urabandai, and Aizu for half a century. Founder of the private tour company 'Tabinoito'. Deeply knowledgeable about local nature, history, and cultural beliefs. Offering guided tours of Urabandai and Aizu while sharing stories of the land that are not found in guidebooks, limited to one group per day.
