Take a walk with autumn wild flowers in Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. Walking down to Sengokuhara silver grass field
There are many sightseeing spots in Hakone, but it is difficult to imagine what kind of place “Hakone shissei kaen” is. The name sounds more like a research institute rather than a tourist spot in Japanese (English name is simple, “Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands”)
But…
It is such a wonderful botanical garden like no other!
In the garden, you can feel intact nature of Hakone. There are about 1,700 species of marsh plants, alpine plants and natural, simple flowers that bloom every season.
There are forests, small waterfalls, and ponds in the spacious garden that we can enjoy a variety of beautiful scenery. If you go on further on the wooden path, you can see the open view of the field at once. Walking in the field looking at mountains is really refreshing.
It takes about 15 minute walk from the garden to Sengokuhara silver grass field. After visiting the garden, let’s walk slowly to see the shining silver grasses!
A botanical garden in a only one marsh in Kanagawa
Hakone Botanical Garden was opened in 1976. The town of Hakone built it for protection and conservation of Sengokuhara wetland, the only marshland in Kanagawa prefecture. It is located in 650 meters above sea level.
Two parking areas available at the garden
If you go by car from Odawara direction, take Odawara-Atsugi road and goes on to Seisho Bypass. From Gotemba direction, take Tomei expressway.
On either route, you will finally reach the intersection of Sengokuhara, and when you turn right at the Y-shaped road where the flower shop is located, you will find the first parking area in your way. The second parking area at the opposite lane. A total of about 100 cars can be accommodated plus nine large sightseeing buses.
The first parking area is a rotary. Even if there is a full sign, I recommend you to go in anyway. The parking space may be vacant.
The below photo is the second parking area. Still some space to park.
In case you pass the parking areas, the road with one lane on each side continues. You need to turn back somewhere and make a U-turn.
A refreshing slow walk in the garden
The wooden path is well maintained and easy to walk. Along the route, there are two courses divided, one for good goer, another for short-cutter. The good goer course is recommended, as both routes are flat and easy to walk anywhere.
Autumn wild flowers in the garden. Although they are not gorgeous as roses and lilies, it is an exhibition of Hakone nature as it is. No like other botanical gardens.
Let’s go on walking to Sengokuhara silver grass field
Leave the garden and go to the right with the first parking area in your back, you can reach to the Susuki-Dori street via Seisa University Hakone campus. If you go to the left, you can reach to Shitsugen-Dori street. Both are connected to Sengokuhara silver grass field.
The wave of shining silver grass field continuing endlessly is like walking in a dream. Cars also slow down and pass in no hurry.
My pedometer on that day was over 10,000 steps. I walked a lot with autumn breeze.
Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is famous for Mizu-basho (Asian skunk cabbage) . From November to March, the garden is closed for winter.
I discovered the botanical garden where I would like to visit every time when I come to Hakone!
