Japan has an extraordinary relationship with old trees and ancient forests — cedars over 2,000 years old, groves designated as sacred (satoyama), and national natural monuments that attract pilgrims and walkers alike. This guide covers Japan’s most remarkable forest experiences.
Yakushima’s Ancient Cedar Forests
Yakushima Island (Kagoshima) contains Japan’s oldest trees — Yakusugi cedars (Cryptomeria japonica) over 1,000 years old qualify as “yakusugi”; the famous Jomon Sugi cedar is estimated at 2,000–7,200 years old and is the island’s most visited natural landmark. Trail conditions and visitor limits change seasonally. Access requires a guide on the inner mountain trails. The island’s forests inspired the setting of Princess Mononoke.
Nikko’s Cedar Avenues
The road approaching Nikko’s Toshogu shrine complex is lined by over 13,000 Japanese cedar trees, planted between 1625 and 1651 as a gift from a feudal lord who could not afford gold or silver. The cedar avenue stretches nearly 40 km in total — a UNESCO-listed natural avenue of extraordinary age and scale.
Kii Peninsula: Kumano Kodo Forest Walks
The ancient pilgrimage routes of the Kumano Kodo cross deep cedar and cypress forest between the three Kumano Grand Shrines. The Nakahechi route is the most accessible; sections pass through old-growth forest rarely seen outside designated nature reserves. UNESCO World Heritage listed with the Santiago de Compostela Camino.
Aokigahara Forest (Fuji Five Lakes)
The dense forest at the base of Mount Fuji, grown over a 9th-century lava field; the root systems navigate over the porous lava in a distinctive way. The Kompass Nature Centre trail offers a managed nature walk through the forest. The forest has a difficult association with suicide — treat it with appropriate seriousness.
Sacred Shrine Groves
- Meiji Jingu Forest (Tokyo): A 100-year-old artificially created forest of 100,000 trees from across Japan; designed to be self-sustaining within 100 years of its 1920 planting. Now reaching full ecological maturity.
- Kasugayama Primeval Forest (Nara): An ancient grove on the hill behind Kasuga Grand Shrine; declared off-limits over 1,000 years ago, creating one of Japan’s oldest nature reserves.
- Ise Jingu Sacred Forest (Mie): The ancient cedar forest surrounding Japan’s most sacred shrine; a deeply atmospheric place to walk the approach paths regardless of religious affiliation.
For related content, see Japan national parks guide, Japan hiking guide, and Japan pilgrimages guide.