[1] Originally native to East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and extending its habitat to Vietnam, it was imported to North America in the late 19th century as an ornamental.

[6] The plant is called lü cao (葎草) in Mandarin Chinese, and kanamugura (カナムグラ) in Japanese.

[10] Humulus japonicus is native to temperate parts of Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Russian Far East) and the tropical environment of Vietnam and Laos,[10][4] but has become an invasive species in North America since it was imported in the late 19th century.

[10][13] Japanese hops grow well given plentiful sunlight, moisture, and nutrient rich soil, and are most commonly found along stream banks and floodplains.

[10] In traditional Chinese medicine this herb known as lü cao is used rather uncommonly, with supposed diuretic and heat-cooling effects.

[10] The vines grow rapidly during the summer, climbing up and over everything in their path, and can form dense mats several feet deep, blocking light to whatever plants are underneath.