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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Erratic rainfall delays flowering at Kas Plateau this year
1 2 Pune: Kas Plateau, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Satara district, is experiencing a delayed flowering season this year with unpredictable rainfall disrupting the usual mid-Aug bloom, damaging many early flowers and affecting the display of rare, endemic species. Environment researcher Datta Jagtap said there was a lot of fog at the plateau because of the inconsistent monsoon pattern this year. "The cloudy weather accompanied by downpour has adversely impacted flowering this time around. Sunlight levels are not as high as they usually are at this time of the year, delaying the flowering season," he said. Residents and nature lovers are postponing visits to the plateau till Sept-end due to delayed flowering. "Although the plateau officially opens for tourists in the last week of Aug, many tour operators I've checked with are planning to start taking groups to the plateau only by mid-Sept," Sakshi Kulkarni, a resident of Wanowrie, said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Karvi, a light blue-purple flower that blooms once in seven years, was visible in abundance last year. These blooms are, however, likely to be scattered this year. "The rain is destroying young blooms at the plateau. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo If it continues, regeneration from seeds will be delayed. Karvi will likely bloom mainly in areas like Chandgad and Koyna-Patan," Umakant Chavan, environment researcher and photographer based in Kolhapur, said. Flowers like Habenaria and Utricularia malabarica are expected to be abundant this year. "We expect good blooming towards mid-September. So, we will conduct our tours during that time. Chances of seeing abundant Karvi are lesser this year, but there will be many local species that will bloom at the plateau. If the rainfall continues throughout Aug, it may impact flowering," Siddhesh Save, owner of Save Tours, said. Vinay Gupta, who runs Adventure Geek, said they were yet to start taking bookings for Kas Plateau tours. "I am waiting to take some good photographs at the plateau. Last year, I got photos of Karvi flowers. This year, I want to focus on a lot of endemic species," Satya Chandran, a nature photographer, said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Japan Forward
26-07-2025
- Japan Forward
Riding the 'Lift to the Sky' at Amihari Onsen
このページを 日本語 で読む Drawn by the poetic name "Lift to the Sky" ( Tenku no Lift ), I decided to visit a resort hotel in Iwate. Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen sits on the southern slope of Mt Iwate (2,038 meters), within Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The "Lift to the Sky" refers to three ski lifts that operate in summer and fall, from June 1 to November 3. My goal was to join the early morning walking event through Sky Hill ( Tenku-no-Oka ) and Amihari Forest, which starts daily at 6:30 AM. The view from Sky Hill, more than 800 meters above sea level, was once cherished by poet and children's author Kenji Miyazawa. The resort offers onsen, three lifts, and panoramic views. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen) I visited Kyukamura Iwate Amihari Onsen on June 21. Leaving Morioka City by car at 5 AM, I headed west on National Route 46. After turning onto Prefectural Route 219 and passing Koiwai Farm, I drove north. The trip took less than an hour. The walk begins with a five-minute ride on the No 1 lift, which stretches 370 meters. It carries you from the hot spring area at 770 meters up to Sky Hill. From there, participants enjoy the view, then descend through Amihari Forest to return to the onsen. The full route takes about an hour. Unfortunately, light rain led to the event being canceled for safety. This was my last chance before my article deadline to see the view. Thankfully, Ryutaro Nakamura, the resort's sales manager, kindly offered to guide me along the course anyway. The resort's No 1 lift. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen) I rode the lift just before 7 AM. Before these lifts existed, skiers had to carry their skis up the steep slope on foot. As we walked, Nakamura explained the route in detail — from the mist-covered Sky Hill down through the quiet forest. "On clear days, you can sometimes see Mt Chokai on the border of Akita and Yamagata," he said. "We often get a sea of clouds over the Shizukuishi Basin in the morning." He also shared that the name "Amihari" — which literally means "stretch or set up a net" — comes from nets once used to protect the hot spring's source. The resort renamed the lift from "Amihari Onsen Scenic Lift" to "Lift to the Sky" in 2024. The change was intended to attract a wider range of visitors, not just mountain climbers heading to Mt Iwate. The walking event was designed as a gentle hiking experience to appeal to a broader audience. On a later visit, I finally saw the breathtaking sea of clouds stretching across the Shizukuishi Basin from Sky Hill. Since July, visitors have also been able to enjoy a gentle one-hour hike from the No 1 lift, where clusters of alpine flowers like Veratrum and Habenaria are in bloom. Amihari Onsen offers five different bathing options. There's Senjo-no-Yu, a mixed-gender outdoor bath. Yakushi-no-Yu is an open-air bath for day visitors. The Shikaoi Foot Bath offers a quick, relaxing soak. Inside the main building, you'll find two indoor baths: Daishaku-no-Yu and Hakusen-no-Yu. I soaked in Daishaku-no-Yu and relished my first open-air bath in a long time. View from Terrace & Dining Iwatesan. (Courtesy of Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen) The main building also features Terrace & Dining Iwatesan, where guests can enjoy both the scenery and local cuisine. The Lift to the Sky also connects to Mt Mitsuishi (1,466 meters), known for having the earliest fall foliage on Honshu. As the leaves begin to turn in mid-September, I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast — hoping to return on a clear day. About an hour's drive from JR Morioka Station. The "Lift to the Sky" refers to Lifts No 1 through 3 at the resort's ski area. Lift No 1 operates from June. All three lifts run during the autumn foliage season (September 20 to October 13, except from October 6 to 10). The morning walk is free for overnight guests. Day visitors can join for ¥800 (about $5 USD) for a one-way ride. A round trip on Lift No 1 costs ¥1,200. Riding all three lifts round-trip costs ¥2,100. Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
