Autumn leaves at Lake Notoro, Hokkaido

Autumn at lake Notoro

Lake Notoro in Hokkaido turns red in autumn. In this article, we introduce the wetlands surrounding the area and the fauna there.   

Autumn is the season for colourful leaves, and in the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido, an unusual place turns red. Can you guess where it is?

I’ll give you a clue, the place is a lake.

Best colony of coral grass

The unique fauna that lives at Lake Notoro

The wetlands of Lake Saroma and Lake Notoro, which are close to the Sea of Okhotsk, turn bright red in autumn. However, the autumn leaves here are not the maples and ginkgo trees that you might see elsewhere. Instead,  they are from a plant called coral grass or Salicornia europaea. Lake Notoro is famous as the best colony of coral grass in Japan, and in autumn you can see it turn crimson. 

You can even walk to the middle of the coral grass across a promenade.

When you visit Hokkaido in autumn, please go and see the deep red coral grass. You won’t regret it. 

Coral grass close-up