At 1,515 meters above sea level, the mountains of Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden awaken each summer in a quiet yet powerful transformation. As the snow recedes, more than 300 species and two million alpine plants begin to bloom, painting the slopes with colors that shift from early summer brightness to the deep hues of autumn.
But this garden is more than a place to admire flowers. It is a living expression of coexistence between people and nature.
A COMMITMENT BEYOND BEAUTY
Rooted in the global vision of “30 by 30”, which aims to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030, the garden stands as part of a growing movement toward biodiversity restoration. Its efforts have been officially recognized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, earning certification as a Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site. It is the first of its kind in Hakuba and one of the first among Japanese ski resorts.
PROTECTING WHAT CANNOT SPEAK
Among the garden’s most meaningful features is its role in supporting the Japanese rock ptarmigan bird, known as Raichō—a symbol of Japan’s alpine wilderness. By cultivating native plants such as Alpine Bistort (Bistorta vivipara), an important food source for Raichō, the garden helps sustain this protected species, and maintain the delicate balance of the mountain ecosystem.
The Norse grayling (Oeneis norna), an alpine butterfly, is equally at home here. It relies entirely on one plant, the Carex oxyandra, a perennial sedge, to survive. In tending to the garden, Goryu has become a refuge for one of the alpine world’s most delicate dependants.
A GARDEN SHAPED BY PEOPLE
Behind the landscape is a team quietly shaping the future of Goryu. A new generation brings fresh perspectives blending science, creativity, and deep respect for the mountains. Through their efforts, the garden continues to evolve as a place of learning, restoration, and connection.
Their stories are as much a part of the garden as the flowers themselves.
Chihori Ono joined the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden in April 2026. In her 20s and originally from Tokyo, she found her way to Hakuba through a fellow Tokyo University of Agriculture graduate who was already working at Goryu as a botanist.
With a background in forestry focused on tree root systems and their role in disaster prevention, she is now starting a new chapter, learning the delicate world of alpine plants from the ground up.
Drawn to flowers and the rhythm of nature, she brings a gentle curiosity to the mountain. She hasn’t skied yet, but is already looking forward to her first winter here in the mountains.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? I really like the flowers of the Japanese Snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus) that grows near my home. The small white blossoms hang downward and are very beautiful. Since coming to Hakuba, I’ve also been impressed by the Kikuzaki-ichige (Anemone pseudoaltaica), a wild mountain flower that I find especially striking.
IF YOU COULD BECOME A FLOWER IN THE ALPINE BOTANICAL GARDEN, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE? I haven’t had the chance to see many of the flowers in the garden yet, but if I had to choose, I’d love to be a Komakusa (Dicentra peregrina). I was really struck by the way they bloom ahead of the others, peeking out from between the rocks. Personally, I’m drawn to flowers that are small yet have a strong presence, so I’d love to be a Komakusa and enjoy Hakuba’s beautiful nature.
A Place to Return To: In a world that moves quickly, the Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden is a haven where time stands still and nature is deeply admired.
