Atop Mt. Rokko, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden is now home to blooming Higotai, a wildflower classified as an endangered species.
Higotai is a perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, known for its vivid blue, ball-shaped flowers. The blooms sway gently in the breeze, evoking the arrival of autumn and offering a refreshing sense of coolness that helps visitors forget the summer heat. Located near the summit of Mt. Rokko, the garden sits roughly 5°C cooler than the city below, making it a place where the first hints of autumn can be felt earlier than elsewhere.
About Higotai (Echinops setifer)
Higotai grows in slightly dry grasslands, reaching about 1 meter in height. Once a common sight, its numbers have declined as the grassland habitats it depends on have shrunk. It is now only occasionally seen in Kyushu and is rarely found in Honshu, leading the Ministry of the Environment's Red Data Book to classify it as Vulnerable (VU). What looks like a cluster of spikes is actually made up of many tiny individual flowers gathered together to form a single sphere. The Higotai currently blooming in the garden is at its peak and is expected to remain enjoyable through late August.
Event: "Plants and Insects"
An exhibition exploring the relationship between plants and insects is also underway. Explanatory panels have been set up at points around the garden where insects can be observed, alongside displays of live beetles and carnivorous plants. Surrounded by the rich nature of Mt. Rokko, visitors can experience these living teaching materials firsthand.
- Dates: Now through September 23 (Wednesday, holiday)
- Admission: Free (separate garden admission required)
Garden Information
- Open Season: Now through November 29 (Sunday) *Some closed days apply; check the official website for details
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ticket sales end at 4:30 PM)
- Admission: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥900 / Children (age 4 through elementary school) ¥450
- Parking: ¥1,000 (¥2,000 on peak days: August 13 (Thursday) to August 16 (Sunday), and September 20 (Sunday) to September 22 (Tuesday, holiday))
Business hours and event details may be changed or canceled in the event of severe weather.
