The "Tategamori Herb Festa," which signals the arrival of early summer in Tategamori, is being held for the ninth time this year.

The initiative began in June 2017 when the Japan Herb Society (JHS) hosted the "National Herb Summit in Ichinoseki," and since then, Ark Tategamori has held the "Tategamori Herb Festa" every year around this time when the lavender is in full bloom.

We will be holding various activities and workshops every weekend until July 5th, but the star herb of the "Tategamori Herb Festa" is undoubtedly "lavender."

The "Okamurasaki" lavender, which had been cultivated across the vast lavender fields of Tategamori as a symbol of early summer, was almost completely wiped out three years ago when it could not withstand the unprecedented heat and humidity of the summer.

While the lavender field manager was devastated, he has been cultivating 'Lavanding Rosso,' a variety said to be relatively resistant to heat, by taking cuttings one by one.

The tiny green seedlings, which were only a few centimeters tall, have grown into large plants exceeding 50 cm in height over the past three years, and as the flower stalks extend and the pale purple flower buds begin to emit a fragrant aroma, the lavender fields are gradually regaining their former splendor.

Please come and see the fresh, vibrant lavender fields. And when you do, I hope you'll remember this little story behind them.

Hiroshi Yabe, Agricultural Department