Photo & Story by Masako Kitagawa

I took the Asahidake Ropeway and started walking from Sugatami Daira to the summit of Mt. Asahidake.

From there, I continued across Mt. Hokkai, reached Mt. Kurodake, then headed toward Mt. Hokuchin before descending via Susoaidaira.

A wonderfully luxurious circuit through the heart of Daisetsuzan.

The trail itself isn’t particularly difficult.

But there’s one problem.

The flowers keep calling out to you.

“I’m over here!”

“You took a picture of that one…
Aren’t you going to take one of me, too?”

And just like that…

I kept telling myself to move on… but the flowers had other ideas.

Nine wonderfully happy hours among the flowers.

Koezo-tsugazakura (Hybrid Alpine Heather)

Born from a natural cross between Ezo-tsugazakura and Ao-no-tsugazakura, this lovely little flower creates some of the densest carpets of blossoms in Daisetsuzan.

To me, it’s one of the mountain’s most breathtaking floral displays.

Iwabukuro (Purple Bellflower)

To me, this seems to be the flower you’ll see most often in Daisetsuzan at this time of year.

Everywhere I looked, there they were!

Koezo-tsugazakura, Chinguruma… and a perfect Hokkaido sky.

Everyone’s favorite — Aleutian Avens!

Ezo Marsh Marigold

A favorite spring edible… and still putting on a spectacular show.

Miyama Baikeisō (Alpine False Hellebore)

I couldn’t help letting out a little squeal!

I’d never seen such a spectacular carpet of flowers.

In Daisetsuzan, these are generally regarded as Miyama Baikeisō.

Chishima-tsugazakura

These cheerful little flowers remind me of a lively summer festival.

Tiny dancers everywhere… I could almost hear the festival music playing.

They’re simply irresistible!

White-flowered Iwabukuro (White Alpine Bellflower)

For nearly fifteen years, I wondered whether these rare white Iwabukuro were still here.

They were exactly where I’d been told.

Protected from theft, untouched by disaster, and quietly blooming year after year.

I couldn’t help feeling grateful for this little miracle.