Colorful lilies are now in full bloom at the Hakodateyama ski resort in Imazu-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, where many tourists from the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area and other locations visit as the summer mountaineering season has arrived.

The resort company which operates the ski resort has opened "Hakodateyama Lily Garden" for the first time this summer. It is one of the largest in the Kansai area at 42,400 square meters. Part of the ski slope was planted with 300,000 lily bulbs of 50 varieties, and a 1.2 kilometer-walking trail was prepared.

The early-blooming varieties are now at their best, and the late-bloomers, such as the pure white "Casa Blanca" and the pink "Acapulco," will soon come into bloom. Visitors enjoyed the elegant lilies and their sweet fragrance as they gazed at the panoramic view of Lake Biwa.

The target of 40,000 visitors has already been reached in the first two weeks since the July 11 opening. The garden will be open until August 23. There is an admission fee.