Visitor Center Report

On the Sounkyou gorge ” Rhododendron dauricum”is blooming.
We found the blooming on May 1st.
Last year’s blooming was May 9th, it’s a week earlier than last year’s.
The flower’s color is deep. The blooming is spreading.
On the foot of mountains the spring is almost here!

Many summer birds fly to Kamikawa town.
The picture is” Cyanoptila cyanomelana”, very beautiful bird!
They are famous for their beautiful voice.
Along with “ Erithacus akahige”” “Horornis diphone”
They are one of the best three beautiful voice of in japan.

From weekend the temperature will rise, said weather forecast.
Bird watching is good condition.

How about going to forest with binoculars?

Prefectural road Aizankei will open on May 10th.
It is an only plan for the time being, so please check and ask relevant agencies.
The photo is Kamikawa town that is 20km far from Sounkyo.
“Cerasus sargentii (Rehder) H.Ohba” started blooming.
Last year we found blooming on May 9th.
This year we found it on May 3rd.
This year is a week earlier than last year.
But in the morning and night it is very cold, blooming is not perfect.
The contrast, white from Daisetuzan’ s snow and pink from cherry blossom, is mystical!

In the morning and in the night the temperature is still blow 10 °c.
In the afternoon the temperature is rising.
Weather forecast says that from this weekend the temperature is rising.
Snow will melt more.
Now snow is melting.
It increases the amount of Ishikari river’s water

In Sounkyo gorge new leaves of Cercidiphyllum japonicum is turning to red.
Some visitor say, “what is red tree?”
“That is new leaves of Cercidiphyllum japonicum.”
(When the leaves fall, it smell sweet.)

We can see Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Betula ermanii, Prunus ssiori and so on
Their color are Green, red, and red leaves. It’s like fall foliage in spring.

Let us talk about this spring foliage.
Until trees carry on photosynthesis perform in earnest, chlorophyll is not enough.
The leave’s color is light color.
“Anthocyanin” tints leaves and protect new leaves from Ultraviolet rays.
This red color is becoming heavily.
Passing this season, fresh green season begins at last.