Pampas Grass in Sengokuhara, Hakone

The world of white and light brown

Masato Kitamura Nov 10, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Japanese pampas grass and the blue sky</p>

<p>In recent years yellow Solidago canadensis (canadian goldenrod) has spread across Japan as an invasive weed, and Japanese pampas grass, an endemic species, has become quite rare. </p>

<p>A vast field of beautiful pampas grass, just wonderful!</p>

<p>There is an approximately 1 kilometer long promenade through the center of the field. It goes slightly up the hill and I suppose the view from the end of the walk must be fantastic too.</p>

<p>In Hakone, a volcano was active in old days. The far-off mountains are parts of the outer rim of a volcanic crater at that time.</p>

<p>The leaves start to change their color in the beginning of November, and around the middle of the month it is usually in full bloom.</p>

<p>The pampas grass field is located in the middle of Lake Ashi and Sengoku. You can take the bus for for Togendai from Hakone-Yumoto; the bus stop is called Sengoku-kogen.</p>

In the beginning of November Hakone Sengoku (link in Japanese) lets you enjoy a world in white and light brown while strolling through the fields of Japanese pampas grass. From the promenade running through approximately 180,000 square meters of grassy plains, look around the Japanese pampas grass to your right and to your left and enjoy the beautiful colors.

This Japanese pampas grass was planted for the use of thatching a roof in the Edo era. It was the crops that made an important income at that time. Until today it is kept in good condition and it has become a special district of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Masato Kitamura @masato.kitamura

I was born and grew up in Nagano city. After that I lived in Osaka nine years. Later years I live in Kanto plain. I worked for 36 years as a programmer and related business in a software company. I was retirement of 60 years old. Now I’m doing a part-time job at near my house. I like personal ...