The Tadewara Marsh is recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The landscape is intentionally maintained as a grassland through annual controlled burning (noyaki) to preserve specific biodiversity.
The Chojabaru area was formed by debris avalanches from the ancient collapse of the Kuju volcanic group.
The plateau is home to rare plants including the Higo iris and various species of carnivorous sundew.
It sits at the base of the Kuju Mountain Range, the highest peak of which reaches over 1,700 meters.
Chojabaru is a high-altitude wetland and highland plateau situated within the Aso-Kuju National Park at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters. It serves as the primary gateway to the Kuju Mountains and features the Tadewara Marsh, a Ramsar Convention-registered wetland. The area contains a volcanic landscape shaped by the activity of Mount Kuju and Mount Iou. Visitors can traverse the marshland via a system of wooden boardwalks designed to protect the fragile ecosystem. The Kuju Eco-Museum Center, located at the site, provides interpretive information regarding the local volcanic geology and flora. The region acts as a vital trailhead for various trekking routes leading to peaks such as Mount Hosshou and Mount Mimata. Vegetation in the area is maintained through traditional controlled burning known as 'noyaki', which prevents the landscape from reverting to forest.
The central observation point on the wooden boardwalk, looking toward the ridgeline of the Kuju Mountains.
Bring a sturdy windbreaker, as weather conditions at this altitude can shift rapidly compared to the valley floor.
Pack out all trash, as there are no public waste disposal facilities on the marsh trails.
Use the Kuju Eco-Museum Center to check current trail conditions and volcanic activity levels before setting out on a hike.
Attempting to hike the high-altitude trails without appropriate footwear or when fog obscures visibility.
The Kuju Eco-Museum Center typically closes on specific days of the week; verify current operations before arrival.
Stay strictly on the designated boardwalks to avoid damaging the protected wetland vegetation.
