Mitsuba Tsutsuji – Rhododendron dilatatum

On May 23, 1868 (Keio 4), Heikuro Shibusawa, a member of the old shogunate army defeated in battle with new government forces at Hanno, fled alone towards Kuroyama Village via the Kaoburi Pass. He encountered a patrolling scouting party and fought them alone, but was badly wounded and committed suicide (harakiri) while sitting on a rock on the river bank. Heikuro was a cousin, brother-in-law, and adopted son of Shibusawa Eiichi, the man known as the "father of Japanese capitalism," whose face appears on the 10,000 yen bill.

Kuroyama Santaki is the name of a group of three waterfalls known as Odaki (man waterfall), Medaki (woman waterfall) and Tengu Taki (demon waterfall). This scenic spot was selected as one of Japan’s 100 best sightseeing destinations. Enjoy fresh greenery in the spring, refreshing cool air in the summer and remarkably beautiful leaves in autumn.

There are around 1,500 hydrangea plants in bloom along this 3-kilometer-long road, and you can enjoy the fresh air and chirping of birds while surrounded by nature.

At Umesono, you can buy products made from Ogose's local specialties, ume (plum) and yuzu (Japanese citrus). The central location makes it a popular resting place for hikers and other travelers.

The Ogose plum trees date back to when the Umezono Shrine separated from the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Named after Heian period scholar, poet, and politician, Sugawara no Michizane, they are recognized as one of the three major plum groves in Kanto. The park covers an area of around 2 hectares and is home to about 1,000 plum trees such as Shirakaga, Kobai, Koseno-ume, and most notably an ancient plum tree called Kaisetsu, estimated to be 650 years old. The Mini SL steam locomotive train running through the park is also rare on a national scale. Including the surrounding area, about 20,000 plum trees are in full bloom during peak season.