Katakuri Flowers

The Kuwatobi district in the mountains around Shimogo is known for the katakuri (Asian fawnlily) that bloom there in the spring. Clusters of the bright purple flowers form a carpet over an area of about two hectares. A two-kilometer-long walking trail winds through the area. The best time to view the katakuri is usually from late April to early May, but there are many other kinds of flowers to see along the trail in the spring and summer months. Katakuri plants grow slowly, typically taking seven to eight years to bloom. Visitors are asked not to pick the flowers. 

Katakuri flowers lend their name to a common ingredient of Japanese cuisine called katakuriko (katakuri flour), which is similar to cornstarch and used as a thickener. In the past this starch was extracted from bulbs of the katakuri plant, but during the Meiji era (1868–1912) it was replaced with potato starch. The “katakuriko” sold today is mostly made from potatoes.

This English language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency.

この英語解説文は観光庁の地域資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。