Visitor Center Report

Here are some photos I took in the Sounkyo Gorge.
The Cerasus sargentii are nearing full bloom.
Very gradually, the gorge is taking on fresh green coloring.
In a few days, it will be beautifully verdant.
In addition, all of Haku Jya-no-Taki Fall can now be seen just before the Byobuiwa snow shed, near the Sounkyo hot spring village. (Although not visible in the photograph, the lower part of the waterfall winds like a snake down the mountain.)
The photo on the right shows Mumei-no-Taki Fall.
Numerous waterfalls exist in Sounkyo. On days like today when there is a lot of rain, they can be seen in a many different places.
Photos: Views of Sounkyo Gorge May 16

It’s been raining since early morning today.
According to the weather forecast, we may actually get snow, which is unusual for this time of year.
If snow is actually observed, it will be the latest snowfall on record. (At the present time, the latest recorded snowfall was on May 12, 1993. Additionally, although it was not officially observed, snow also fell on May 12, 2012. The next day, the temperature outside the center was -5°C. Areas above the gorge were covered with snow.)
Although snowfall during the Golden Week holidays is not rare, we are already past the midway point in May.
Even so, the cherry blossoms are coming out even in the Sounkyo hot spring village. The cherry blossoms and Rhododendron dauricum flowers are coloring the gorge, and new green leaves are gradually making their appearance.
The second and third photographs were taken in Kamikawa Town. The strong winds of a few days ago knocked off a small number of blossom pedals. Some fell into puddles and created sights that are beautiful in their own right.
And the Anemone flaccida and Trillium tschonoskii, which stand together with Adonis ramosa, Erythronium japonicum, and Corydalis fumariifolia subsp. azurea as typical spring flowers, are also about to bloom.
The Japanese name for Trillium tschonoskii is shirobanano-enreiso. According to the leading theory, this name comes from “enrei (延齢),” which means to “add years to one’s life.”
Photos: Blossoming Cerasus nipponica var. kurilensis in the hot spring village and Eigetsu Peak
(left) May 15; Cherry blossoms scattered by strong winds (center) and Trillium tschonoskii and Anemone flaccida (right) May 16

The past few days were very windy in Sounkyo.
However pleasant weather has finally returned today. The temperature outside the center is 22℃, which is a new spring high.
I walked into Momijidani Valley for the first time in about two weeks and found that snow remains in three areas.
Although the distances to be crossed are short, caution should be exercised when walking on the snow due to the danger of slipping and falling.
Having said that, I should mention that many flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. It’s a lovely time of the year.
If you come to Sounkyo, I highly recommend a visit to Momijidani Valley, Sounkyo’s very popular spot for walking.
For more information, please see http://sounkyovc.net/trails/sonota/140515momiji.pdf.
Photo: Remaining snow just before Momijidani Fall, Sounkyo May 15

I found a Luehdorfia puziloi yessoensis, which only appears in spring, collecting nectar from Rhododendron dauricum flowers.
I keep saying it, but spring has finally arrived in all of its magnificence.
I’ve heard that alpine Helonias kawanoi are already blooming around Mt. Kurodake’s 5th Station.
During the first half of May last year, the temperature never reached the highs we’re seeing this year.
Perhaps flowers will begin blooming unexpectedly early where the snow has melted.
Photo: A male Luehdorfia puziloi yessoensis May 11

The trees appearing in the photos are Cerasus sargentii.
Today the temperature has risen noticeably and reached the highest yet recorded this spring.
Amid the warming temperatures, the cherry blossoms in Kamikawa Park (Kamikawa Town) are reaching their peak viewing season.
The mountain in the background of the right-hand photo is the still snow-covered Mt. Aibetsu.
Photos: Views from Kamikawa Park May 11