Located beside the Seiwa-dai housing complex in the north-central part of Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, the "Seiwa-dai Higashi 3-chome Konara Grove" is a city-designated natural monument listed as Rank B in the Hyogo Prefecture Red Data Book (Plant Communities). While access is ordinarily restricted for safety reasons, the grove is currently open to the public through Wednesday, April 22, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see a large population of Shirobana Unzen Tsutsuji — a white-flowering Unzen azalea — at peak bloom.
Visiting hours are 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
The grove was first opened to the public in April 2016, and this year marks the 10th annual opening. During this blooming season, small white and light pink flowers of the Shirobana Unzen Tsutsuji emerge across the steep slopes, delighting the many visitors who make their way to the site from within Kawanishi and beyond.
The plant community spans approximately 30,000 square meters and is home to a remarkable variety of cool-temperate species. Alongside the Shirobana Unzen Tsutsuji, the grove hosts Edo Higan cherry trees (listed as Rank C in the Hyogo Prefecture Red Data Book for Plants), as well as Sasa Yuri (bamboo lily), Miyama Yomena, Tamushiba, and Shiraki — species rarely found in neighboring Konara groves in the surrounding area.
Association President Yaeko Sugahara (age 74) commented: "This plant community is located near a residential area, and we hope it can become a place of relaxation for everyone. Many people visit not only from within the city but from further afield as well. There are many rare plants to discover beyond the Shirobana Unzen Tsutsuji. We hope visitors will come away with a greater interest in environmental conservation."
