With its picturesque quality and its scientific technique, Yuzen dyeing is an art form unique to Japan.
Takahashitoku, an elite dyeing studio in Kyoto, has for 100 years produced Yuzen dyes for the prominent manufacturer, Chiso.
The Takahashitoku studio is trying to preserve and make relevant this traditional art form for modern uses. They dye dresses and jeans for Yoji Yomamoto, one of world’s top contemporary designers. They also collaborated with a celebrated young artist and created scrolls and screens of his compute graphics paintings. For public, they hold classes for to experience hand painted Yuzen for fun.
“Tradition and techniques need to be accepted by people in order to survive’, says Kinya Takahashi, director of the studio. “But then what makes them acceptable? This question is always on my mind.”

In the northeastern part of the Kibi Plateau, at the top end of Koigakubo Pond and at 550m above sea level, is a hidden spot where Japanese nature remains intact: this is Koigakubo Marsh.

Koigakubo Marsh is designated as a National Natural Treasure. The precious hygrophytes (plants that grow in moist habitats) that naturally grow here show that Japan was once linked to the landmass of continental Asia. Among the 380 types of hygrophytes growing here are Ogura-Sennou, Mikoshi-Giku, Bitchu-Fuuro, Ryu-Kinka.

The marsh is 3.6ha in area and a walking trail around it is 2.4km long. Some 20,000 people visit every year and are fascinated by the mysteriousness of the plant community here. Recently, there has been concern that these precious plants are endangered. The city of Niimi is now cooperating with the Agency for Cultural Affairs to research, protect and manage the marsh and its flora.

Nawagaike (Nawaga Lake) was formed after an avalanche from Mount Takasho-zu blocked a river. The lake has a surface area of 4960㎡, is 10m deep, 2km in circumference and lies 800m above sea level.

There is a legend that a dragon dwells in the mysterious lake. Furthermore, the lake is conspicuous for the skunk cabbage that grows here. When approaching the lake through the woods, an expanse of skunk cabbage appears.

It is believed there are over 500,000 skunk cabbages growing here. The Nawaga Lake Skunk Cabbage Area is designated as a Toyama Natural Treasure. The best view of the skunk cabbage is in May as the snow is melting.

The sophisticated white flower is soothing to the spirit. It is rare to see Skunk cabbage grow below 1000m, and this area is noted as a place of great scientific value.