Kiso Forest Guide
— Discovering the origins of Japan's forests —
The Kiso region, located in southwestern Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan's leading forest areas. Forests cover approximately 90% of the region, and the rich forests that originated from the mountains, centered around Mount Ontake, continue to spread throughout the area.
The Kiso forest is more than just nature. It is a special forest where nature and culture are intertwined, encompassing the Kiso cypress that has supported Japan's architectural culture, the forest conservation system of the Edo period, and the history of people who have lived alongside forestry.
This page introduces the charm of the Kiso Forest from the perspectives of "learning," "walking," and "experiencing."
What is the Kiso Forest?
The forests of the Kiso region are considered one of Japan's three most beautiful forests. The abundant water from Mount Ontake and the cool climate have fostered beautiful forests, primarily composed of cypress trees.
Among them, Kiso cypress is known as one of Japan's most representative high-grade timbers. With its straight trunk, dense grain, and distinctive fragrance, cypress has been used in the construction of shrines, temples, and castles.
The sacred trees used in the Shikinen Sengu (periodic rebuilding) of Ise Grand Shrine are also cypress trees grown in this Kiso forest.
These lush forests have been preserved throughout a long history. The Kiso forests are also a symbol of Japan's nature and culture.
