Gudari Marsh: A Stream Born from Spring Water
Gudari Marsh (Gudari-numa), located on the east side of the Tashiro Plateau in Aomori City, may sound like a quiet pond, but it is known as a clear stream where Hakkōda snowmelt and other water springs from the ground and immediately begins to flow.
Spring Water Emerges Near Tashirotai Pasture
Gudari Marsh lies a short way downhill from Tashirotai Pasture in Hōkibatai, where you can see underground water emerge amid the plateau vegetation and turn into a surface stream.
By comparing the surrounding slopes with the location of the spring outlet, you can picture the water cycle in the scenery: rain and snow falling on Hakkōda travel underground before reappearing at the surface in a lower area.
About 200,000 t of Spring Water Per Day Sustains the Flow
The spring is said to discharge about 200,000 t of water per day. Rather than simply collecting in one place, this abundant water continuously moves downstream, keeping the water surface and aquatic plants in constant motion.
Observe the Boundary Between Marsh and Clear Stream
Watch how narrow currents gather from the calm surface near the spring outlet and become a clear stream threading through the surrounding grassland. This sequence reveals the difference between the impression created by the place name and the water’s actual movement.
The Cool Environment Created by Hakkōda’s Water
The water is said to be 7°C with a nearly neutral pH of 7.2. Its cold, clear water and steady flow support habitats for aquatic plants and animals.
Read the Current from Ripples on the Surface
Without touching the water or placing anything in it, follow the lines of reflected light, the direction of submerged leaves, and the way aquatic plants lean. This lets you safely observe how the current’s speed and direction vary from place to place.
Look for Places Where You Can See the Streambed
Where the water is highly transparent, compare the distribution of sand, gravel, and plant fragments. Checking whether areas with stronger currents contain less fine sediment offers a concrete way to consider how water shapes the terrain.
Even when using polarized glasses, do not get too close to the water’s edge. View the streambed from an angle that reduces reflections, then compare the same section upstream and downstream to make differences in sediment easier to see.
Matching the water’s characteristics with suitable observation methods creates a record that goes beyond its visual beauty.
| Water characteristic | What to look for | Action to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Abundant spring water | Continuous movement of the surface | Putting objects in the current |
| Low water temperature | Distribution of aquatic plants | Entering the water |
| Clear flow | Sand and gravel on the streambed | Stirring up the bottom |
Distinguish Baikamo from Waterside Vegetation
Aquatic plants such as baikamo grow naturally in Gudari Marsh, while diverse plants including renge-tsutsuji azaleas can be seen along the banks. This makes it possible to compare vegetation in sequence from underwater areas to damp banks and then to the drier plateau.
See How Baikamo Follows the Current
Baikamo leaves and stems align with the clear current. Rather than looking only for flowers, observe from a distance how the entire colony sways in the direction of the water to understand its relationship with the environment.
Photograph only what is visible from above the surface. Do not lift the plants or move them out of the current; instead, compare the upstream and downstream ends of the colony to consider the conditions in which it grows.
Notice Differences in Moisture Along the Banks
The plants you see change as you move away from the water’s edge. Following where the density of the same species rises or falls can reveal how even slight differences in elevation and moisture divide the vegetation.
Use Renge-tsutsuji Azaleas as a Seasonal Indicator
The Tashiro Plateau is known for its colonies of renge-tsutsuji azaleas, but flowering progress varies by year and weather. Even on days with few flowers, observe the leaves, shape of the shrubs, and height of the surrounding grass rather than assuming a fixed peak season.
| Location | Main subject | Observation focus |
|---|---|---|
| Underwater | Baikamo | Movement with the current |
| Waterside | Wetland plants | Distance from the water’s edge |
| Plateau side | Renge-tsutsuji azaleas | Boundary with the grassland |
The Clear-Stream Ecology Indicated by Planarians and Iwana
Iwana and other fish inhabit the stream flowing through Gudari Marsh, while five species of planarian have been confirmed in the same rare environment. Its ecosystem is distinctive down to its smallest animals.
Do Not Disturb the Streambed to Search for Planarians
Planarians are small animals about 1 cm long. Turning over stones or digging into the streambed would disturb their environment, so do not treat finding one as a required goal; observe the water temperature and current that support their habitat instead.
What It Means for Five Species to Live Together
The reported presence of five species in the same place, including Kitashiro-kazume-uzumushi and Izumi-ō-uzumushi, can be understood as a clue that clear-stream conditions create diverse microhabitats.
These five include species such as Kitashiro-kazume-uzumushi, found only in Hokkaidō and Aomori Prefecture, demonstrating the value of this limited clear-stream environment.
Because distinguishing the species with the naked eye is difficult, do not identify them conclusively on site. Instead, connect the confirmed habitat information with the water temperature, substrate, and condition of the aquatic plants.
Watch Iwana from a Distance
If you spot a fish, do not chase it. Wait where your shadow does not fall across the water, then look toward slower currents and beneath aquatic plants to observe its behavior without catching or feeding it.
Choose How to Approach from the Tashiro Plateau
Gudari Marsh is about a 20-minute walk from the Tashiro Plateau and about a 5-minute walk from the wooden white gate near the Tashiro Pasture entrance, letting you choose an entrance suited to your transportation and the weather.
Do Not Interfere with Pasture Operations When Driving
Even where parking is possible, do not block the gate or routes used by work vehicles. Follow local signs and management instructions, and do not enter the pasture without permission, either by car or on foot.
Check Landmarks for the Return Walk
Fog and changing weather on the plateau can make it easy to lose your sense of direction. On the way in, note junctions, the gate, and the location of the prefectural road, save a map to your device, and decide when to turn back so you can return before sunset.
Do not rely entirely on network coverage. Tell your companions where you started and when you plan to return, and photograph landmarks while looking back at them so the outward route is easier to recognize even across similar-looking grassland.
Organize the considerations for each entrance, and do not choose a route based only on the shortest distance.
| Starting point | Approximate walking time | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tashiro Plateau | About 20 minutes on foot | Weather and junctions |
| Near the pasture entrance | About 5 minutes on foot | Gate and parking location |
| Along the prefectural road | Follow local signage | Traffic and return route |
Visitor Etiquette for Protecting the Clear Stream and Pasture
Gudari Marsh is not an aquarium at a tourist facility but a natural environment where spring water, a clear stream, and pastureland lie side by side. Observe it without entering the water or collecting animals and plants, while respecting livestock and management work.
Keep Hands and Equipment Out of the Water
Do not enter the flow even to check its temperature, collect water, or gather organisms. Keeping photography equipment away from the surface helps protect the habitat of tiny animals and the cleanliness of the water.
Prepare for Mud and Slopes
The ground can be wet after rain or during the snowmelt season, so wear non-slip shoes that can get dirty, stay away from slopes along the bank, and turn back early if you notice signs of heavy rain, thunder, or dense fog.
Because caution is required for bears in the Hakkōda area, check reports of sightings and current access conditions for the day of your visit. Leave no food or trash behind, and avoid going alone.
Take Everything You Bring Back with You
Leave no packaging, trash, or food that could become feed, and refrain from loud voices or music. Sharing a quiet setting with other observers and wildlife is fundamental to preserving the value of the clear stream for the future.
Take home only photographs and notes. Avoid carelessly publicizing the precise locations of organisms you find, as this also helps maintain a peaceful observation environment.
Gudari Marsh Summary
At Gudari Marsh, observe from the bank without touching the water as Hakkōda spring water changes from a calm surface into a clear stream, baikamo sways in the current, and the environment supports five planarian species and iwana. Check the route from the Tashiro Plateau or pasture entrance along with the weather, and respect both pasture management and the clear-stream ecosystem.
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