Takinoue, town in Monbetsu district, Hokkaidō, Japan
Takinoue is a small town in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, known for natural landscapes and quiet streets lined with simple buildings. The area features several parks with flower displays, a highland wetland with floating islands, a river gorge with waterfalls, and a large private garden all connected by walking trails through forests and valleys.
The town developed as a rural settlement rooted in the river valley and forest landscape. The cultivation of moss phlox flowers began in 1956 from a small batch of seeds and was gradually expanded by villagers to create a seasonal attraction.
The town centers on nature and seasonal plants, with residents actively caring for gardens and parks throughout the year. Walking paths and outdoor spaces are used daily by locals who move at a slower pace and gather for seasonal celebrations when flowers bloom.
The town is accessible by bus or car from nearby cities and from Sapporo, with local bus services connecting to nearby attractions. Hiking trails are well-maintained and easy to walk, accommodations are available throughout the area, and a roadside station provides information and local products.
The river gorge here was Japan's first location to introduce catch-and-release fishing rules to protect fish populations. One man named Buichi Takahashi spent years creating a private park with roughly 800 varieties of flowers and 5 kilometers of walking trails through his personal vision.
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