In the 18.9 hectare mountain forest, there are 3.4 km of nature trails and five nature
observatories - 'Damsel Fly Marsh', 'Zephyros Forest', 'Kite Hill', 'Freshwater Crab
Swamp', etc. - where one can watch wild birds and insects. Groves of white oak, Japanese
oak, chestnut, Japanese cedar, and Japanese red pine can be found, and 250 rare plants
such as Togoku himeshara (a kind of camellia), linden, and honey locust have been
labelled.
As there are idle paddies and mountain streams on the complex, water plants, insects
and birds that thrive in these habitats can be observed. In the nature center at the foot
of the mountain, there are foliage specimens, a diorama of the forest, and videos and
books provided for study. Field trips to observe seasonal plant and animal life and
constellation viewings are held as well.
The facility, the fourth of its kind in the country, was opened to the public April,
1989. 'Kiryuu Nature Sanctuary' is another name for the area. |
