Forests for Dogtooth Violets and Omurasaki

	In the forests at the foot of Mt. Sengen, Katakuri ( Dogtooth Violets ) grow widely , and there is also Omurasaki ( or Giant Purpie Emperor , to use its scientific name ) . Omurasaki is the National Butterfly of Japan. You can see display of it and other butterflys and insects from around the world at the Visitor House. This is closed on Mondays. Click here to see the Visitor House and pictures of around

	Near the Visitor House and Saikoji Temple, you can see Katakuri ( Dogtooth Violets ) which are rare these days. There are tens of thousands of them there. The best season for full blossom is from the end of March to the beginning of April. From the end of June to the beginning of July every year, the Meeting for Releasing Fries of Omurasaki is held by the Community club of Ogawa. The Katakuri-Festival is held at the end of March.

Ogawamachi Tourism Association TEL. 0493-72-1221