A surge in the Japanese deer population in Oze National Park has led to the depletion of rare marshland plants such as the white arum, or Asian skunk cabbage, which has made the park a popular destination for hikers.
Earlier this summer, the skunk cabbage colony along the Shimono-ohori River, one of the best locations for taking photos, showed signs of damage from deer. There was also visible damage to plants near a section of boardwalk in the Ryugu Crossroad section of the park.
"It's a shame that the most popular spot in this park has been damaged," said Kazuo Matsuura, the 74-year-old chairman of a local mountain guides association in Katashina, Gunma Prefecture.