Visit aforest with 300 year-old Kiso hinoki cypress, one of Japan’s three most beautiful trees
The Kiso Valley, a deeply mountainous region comprised of 93% forest, has been known since ancient times as a production region for high-quality timber. Beginning around the year 1500, building materials were procured here for large-scale castles and historical shrines and temples, to the extent that policymakers took control here in every era. The trees that were felled in this forest were precious resources that were transported via the Kiso River to places including Edo (present-day Tokyo).
Agematsu, located near the center of Kiso Valley, has long been home to a thriving lumber industry. The town is famous as a production center for the much-prized hinoki (Japanese cypress), which feature in the phrase “the best trees are hinoki, the best flowers are sakura (cherry blossoms), and the best people are samurai (warriors).” The trees carried from the Kiso Valley were also designated for specific regions, making this a center for Kiso forestry.
This program features a guided walk through the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest, located in southwestern Agematsu. In order to help limit excessive logging, this forest was targeted for strict forest protection policies during the late 1600s by the ruling Owari Clan. Consequently, the area was designated to provide forest building materials for the Imperial Family’s Ise Jingu Shrine, and was subsequently protected after World War II as a government-owned forest. The area was opened in 1970 as the country’s first natural recreational forest, and went on to become known nationwide as a center for forest therapy.
The 300-year-old hinoki tree forest, gorgeous views of the ravine, and history of the Kiso Valley may be enjoyed together as a set along with a ride on the forest railway, which carried Kiso lumber for around 60 years beginning in 1916.
Nature/Culture/Activity
・Includes a ride on the Forest Train, which was in service for 60 years beginning in 1916.
・Lunch will feature local seasonal foods wrapped in paper-thin sheets of wood, and tea from the Kiso Valley (served in 500ml petbottle). Chopsticks crafted from hinoki (Japanese cypress wood) will also be offered as a take-home souvenir!
・This course includes four among the total of seven courses within the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest. Each course features its own unique scenery and vegetation.
・Numerous highlights include enormous Japanese cypress trees that are more than 300 years old, and the location where sacred trees were felled for use at the Ise Jingu shrine.
18,000 JPY~
Agematsu Town Tourism Association
09:35/15:00
09:30-10:00 Meet at the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest Parking Lot. Briefing from guide, warm-up
exercises.
10:00-10:30 Forest Train（Actual riding time is around 10 min.）
10:30-12:20 Walking along the Tsumetazawa Course
12:20-12:30 Large Japanese cypress tress → Dondonbuchi
12:30-13:00 Lunch (at Dondonbuchi)
13:00-13:40 Dondonbuchi → Site where sacred trees were felled → Therapy Road
13:40-15:00 Kami-Akasawa Course
15:00 Tour finishes at the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest Parking Lot
Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest
Parking Lot
Bus: 30 min. from Agematsu Station; 45 min. from Kiso Fukushima Station. (Both stations are on JR Chuo Main Line.)
Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest
Parking Lot
15 min. by car from Agematsu Station (JR Chuo Main Line) [Parking: Available (600 yen/regular cars, 1,000 yen/minibuses, 2,000 yen/motorcoaches (per day))]
May ~ Late-October
No restriction
(Please let us know, however, if your group includes small children.)
30 days prior
Minimum 3 Maximum 10
(Please contact us re. requests for 1 to 2 persons.)
Clothing/shoes suitable for walking, rain gear (coat/pats), backpack, drinks (around 1 liter), energy bar, cold protection, hat, gloves, sunglasses (if necessary).
3
[Distance] Approx. 7.2km
[Elevation Difference] Approx. 70m
While there are almost no difficult ascents/descents, stamina is required to complete this four-hour course.
2
The trail is made from dirt and wood chips, and care should be taken since it is slippery in certain areas.
English guide fee, boxed lunch, tea (500ml petbottle).
Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(The bank transfer fees are responsibility of the participants)
Lunch box containers may be upgraded to those using magewappa, a traditional style of steam-bent Japanese wood, for an additional fee of 8,580 yen.
[Cancellation at customer’s convenience]
-7 days to 2 days prior to the reserved date: 25%
-One day prior to the reserved date: 50%
-On the day of the reserved date & No-show: 100%
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
-In case of inclement weather, we will make a decision the previous day and notify you only if the program has been cancelled.
-If the tour is cancelled on the day of the tour prior to the start of the program, no cancellation fee will be charged.
-Depending on the weather conditions once the tour begins, the route may be changed or the tour may be cancelled. No refunds will be given in this case.