Ochikura Highlands, Hokujo, Hakuba Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Located in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, the Ochikura Nature Garden offers a serene escape into a world of native flora. This small, free-to-enter wetland is known for its unique two-petaled Ochikura Mizubasho (Asian skunk cabbage) and other wetland flowers like Zazen-so (cobra lilies), best viewed from mid-April to early May. Wooden boardwalks make it easy to explore the area, though the parking lot is small. The garden is situated along the historic Chikumagawa River salt road, making it a convenient stop for those exploring the region's natural beauty. A visit can be combined with a trip to the nearby Himekawa Headwaters Park for a fuller experience of the area's spring blossoms.