By: Alex
As November arrives, besides enjoying the autumn foliage, vast fields of golden silvergrass offer another stunning seasonal spectacle. Well-known silvergrass viewing spots in Japan include Zenshō Highland in Nara Prefecture, Sekison Highland in Wakayama Prefecture, and Aso Volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture. This time, we’ll mainly introduce the silvergrass of Zenshō Highland in the northeastern corner of Nara Prefecture.
▲ Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture (photo by manasuki @IG)
Located near Mie Prefecture, Zengle Village has been selected as one of Japan’s most beautiful villages and also retains expansive pristine landscapes. Between Mt. Tsurudono and Mt. Kameyama near the village lies a grassland covered with silvergrass. Starting from around September every year, the grass gradually turns golden, and by around October, flower spikes begin to emerge, blooming successively in late October. Under the autumn sunset, the silvergrass sometimes resembles ripe rice ears, while at other times the spikes shimmer with a silvery glow. Some have even captured images of the swaying spikes glowing faintly purple at dusk—mysterious and beautiful.
▲ (photo by shinya_1972_ @Twitter)
To complement the beautiful sight of blooming silvergrass, Zengle Village will light up about 200 wooden lanterns along both sides of a roughly 900-meter walking path around Kameike Pond in the center of the grassland from 9:00 PM each day during the period from Saturday, September 14 to Sunday, November 24 this year. The row of lights against the afterglow of the sunset creates a uniquely atmospheric scene. The lighting event ends at 9:00 PM.
▲ (photo by shinya_1972_ @Twitter)
Zenshō Highland sits at an elevation of about 700 meters. For those who consider themselves to have “strong legs,” you can even climb up to the 810-meter-high “Kameyama Observation Deck” (takes about 15–20 minutes) to overlook the golden sea of silvergrass dancing in the wind under the setting sun. By the way, temperatures on the plateau are generally 2°C to 4°C lower than in urban areas at lower altitudes, especially from October onward when the day-night temperature difference gradually increases. Be sure to bring a jacket and flashlight when hiking.
▲ Zenshō Highland (photo by shinseyes_02 @Twitter)
▲ Sekison Highland, Wakayama Prefecture (photo by nori45pic @IG)
▲ Sekison Highland (photo by bechan7 @IG)
▲ Zenshō Highland (photo by rin_photo @IG)
▲ Sekison Highland (photo by wakguide @IG)
▲ Zenshō Highland holds a lighting event in the evenings during the silvergrass blooming season. (photo by kuroneko1717 @IG)
▲ Zenshō Highland (photo by kuroneko1717 @IG)
▲ Aso Mizutakezuka, Kumamoto Prefecture (photo by mai_7100 @IG)
▲ Zenshō Highland (photo by nonno_hanahana @IG)
▲ Zenshō Highland (photo by nonno_hanahana @IG)
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization