Hiking season underway at Japan's Oze National Park

Lovers of the great outdoors can now lace up their boots and explore Japan's Oze National Park, where hiking season is officially underway. The area is famed for its scenic marshlands and sweeping carpets of flowers.

The park straddles Niigata, Fukushima, Gunma and Tochigi prefectures. This year's opening ceremony took place on Friday in Niigata's Uonuma City. Uonuma City tourism official said Oze offers easy walks for children and the elderly, and enables people to familiarize themselves with nature.

The official added that she hopes visitors enjoy the park safely while following the rules. People can also access the area by boarding boats at Lake Okutadami in Uonuma, starting on Sunday until October 15. But this date indicates the last day of boat service that connects Uonuma and Oze.