Lake Nodori, located in Abashiri City and connected to the Sea of Okhotsk, turns a bright red color from mid-September to October. The red color is the coral grass. It was discovered in Atsukishi, Hokkaido in 1894, and was named "akeshiso," which later became known as "coral grass" because of its coral-like red color.
Coral grass is vulnerable to changes in the natural environment, and if left unchecked, will be eroded by other plants. Because of this, the coral grass was once so decimated that Uwaranai in Abashiri City began full-fledged efforts to protect and nurture it in 1978.
The efforts of the Ueharauchi neighborhood association, the tourist association, and citizen volunteers bore fruit, and in 1991 the Ueharauchi neighborhood association proclaimed the area "the largest coral grass colony in Japan. The coral grass colony along the lakeside now covers 38,000 square meters.
The best time to see the best coral grass colony in Japan is in autumn, when it turns red. As mentioned above, the coral reefs turn a spectacular red from mid-September to October. It depends on the weather and other factors of the year, but the peak of the season is usually around the fourth week of September.
Coral grass has been confirmed to grow in various areas in eastern Hokkaido and parts of Shikoku, but the most spectacular is the colony in Uwaranai Park, Abashiri National Park, which is said to be the best in Japan. The dark red color that spreads across the lake is indescribably beautiful. Walking along the wooden paths, surrounded by coral grasses on all sides, you will feel as if you are standing alone in a different world.
If you ever travel to East Hokkaido in the fall, you should definitely stop by this place. The sight of the coral grass, which is a fragile plant by nature, in full bloom, is sure to move you in a special way.
＜Thumbnail image courtesy of
Notori-no-So Kagariya, the Home of Sango Grass
Address: 60-3 Uwaranai, Abashiri, Hokkaido
Phone: 0152-47-2301
Official website: http://www.kagariya.cc