Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, Botanical Garden in Japan
The Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is a botanical garden in the highlands of Sengokuhara displaying about 1700 plant species from Japanese wetlands and mountains. Divided into eight sections, it represents different ecosystems such as marshes, bogs, meadows, and alpine areas, all accessible via wooden boardwalks.
The garden was founded in 1976 to preserve and display wetland and mountain plants native to Japan. Built on land that once held rice paddies, it has become an important location for observing and understanding wetland ecosystems.
The garden's name reflects its location in Sengokuhara and its role as a place to learn about wetland plants native to Japan. Visitors can observe how these plants grow in settings that show their natural habitats and understand their importance to the local environment.
The garden sits at about 650 meters (2,150 feet) elevation and is reachable by bus from Hakone-Yumoto or Gora train stations. A short walk of roughly five minutes from the bus stop leads to the entrance, and a complete walk through typically takes 40 minutes to an hour.
The garden was built on land that once held rice paddies and now displays how wetlands function in cold mountain climates. This high elevation is particularly important for the plants that thrive there, as they are adapted to cooler conditions.
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