平取町芽生すずらん群生地
Mebuki Lily of the Valley Cluster is a botanical garden covering about 15 hectares in Biratori, Hokkaido. It contains Japan's largest wild population of these small white bell-shaped flowers that grow naturally in dense clusters close to the ground beneath protective foliage.
The area once served as a horse pasture where animals naturally avoided eating the toxic flowers, helping preserve them. Over decades the site faced threats from overuse and damage, but restoration efforts over the past ten years have successfully revived the population.
The white lily of the valley flowers hold deep meaning for local residents, symbolizing happiness and purity in Japanese tradition. The annual blooming season marks a fresh start and brings the community together in shared appreciation for the flowers.
Visit between late May and early June when flowers are in peak bloom, with optimal viewing in the first week of June. The site is free to enter and features maintained walking trails and designated photo spots that allow easy exploration without disturbing the plants.
The site owes its floral abundance to its past as a horse pasture, where animals instinctively avoided the toxic flowers and inadvertently protected them. This natural protective behavior by grazing animals was key to preserving this unique wild population through the generations.
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