The “Higo tai” is a very rare type of thistle indigenous to and a symbol of Kumamoto. As a Californian, I am accustomed to thistles: artichokes! - though when I tried to cultivate the Higo tai, I failed. Apparently, it is very difficult. https://ubu-lab.com/spot/%E3%83%92%E3%82%B4%E3%82%BF%E3%82%A4%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92/