Forest of Illusion

Deep in the Mogami Gorge, tucked away in the mountains of Tozawa Village, this natural cedar forest is home to clusters of Jindai cedar, Tsuchiyu cedar, and Yamanouchi cedar. Giant trees over 1,000 years old stand throughout the forest, and trunks measuring over 10 meters around are not uncommon. Many of the trees have multiple trunks branching out from the base, spreading like octopus legs and giving the entire forest a mysterious sculptural beauty.

Step into the forest and the air turns cool and clear, filled with the scent of earth and cedar. Whenever sunlight filters through the trees, the surfaces of the giant trunks glow gold, as if the forest itself were breathing. Above all, the towering Genso Osugi, known as the “King of the Forest,” has an overwhelming presence that captivates visitors.

The walking trail is covered with wooden chips and takes about 15 minutes to complete a loop. There is little risk of getting lost, so you can take your time strolling among the giant trees. At an elevation of 260 meters, the forest road is closed in winter due to snow, so visits are generally possible only from June to around November.