[Ubaranai Coral Grass Colony in Abashiri] Red Carpet Can Be Enjoyed in Colony

Ubaranai Coral Grass Colony

Ubaranai Coral Grass Colony (卯原内のアッケシソウ群生地) is a tourist attraction on the south beach of Lake Notoro (能取湖) in the western part of Abashiri city, and is well-known as the largest coral grass colony in Japan. In early September, the coral grass turns red, and the lakeshore is covered with red color. It was on the verge of extinction under the influence of soil improvement in the past, but it is recovered at present. The colony is in good condition on the lakeshore along a road from Okhotsk National Route (National Route 238) to Ubaranai Fishing Port (卯原内漁港). It is hard to find the road, so visitors should use Notoro-no-so Kagariya (能取の荘 かがり屋) in front of the colony as a landmark. A small restraunt, a public restroom and a parking lot are on the site. The best season to see the red coral grass is from early September to mid September. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Lake Notoro Coral Grass Festival is held on Saturday and Sunday, early September.

Movie of Ubaranai Coral Grass Colony

The coral grass is an annual plant with 10 cm-20 cm in height, and means "Akkeshisou (アッケシソウ)". Mr. Kiyotoshi Sugiyama (椙山清利) discovered the plant in Kaki island, Akkeshi town in 1891, and Mr. Kingo Miyabe (宮部金吾), a famous botanist, named it after the place name. Another name is Sangosou (サンゴ草), and it is more famous than the Akkeshisou, and the Sango means "Coral" in English, and it is called so because shapes of leaves looks like the coral. In Japan, it is a rare plant growing wild only in a part of Hokkaido, Okayama prefecture and Kagawa prefecture, and in some lakes such as the Lake Notoro, Lake Saroma (サロマ湖) and Lake Komuke (コムケ湖), Hokkaido, the coral grass can be seen. Because it is very rare plant, to harvest it is forbidden in Japan, but Europe people seem to eat it as vegetables. It is usually green, but it turns red in an autumn. By the way, the coral grass in the Hokkaido is difference from the coral grass in the Inland Sea.

The Ubaranai is about 15 km away from the center of the Abashiri city, and Abasihiri Railroad Museum (網走市鉄道記念館), a convenience store, a super market and a cafe around here. Cape Notoro (能取岬), Lake Abashiri (網走湖) and Lake Saroma (サロマ湖) are relatively near here, too. A direct bus does not run between Sapporo or New Chitose Airport and here, but a express bus "Dollymint Okhotsk-go (ドリーミントオホーツク号)" runs between the Sapporo and the Abashiri.