Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest
Area
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The felling of trees has been prohibited for over 1,000 years.
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As the site of Kasugataisha Shrine, Mount Kasuga is a sacred mountain, and as such, the felling of trees from its forests has been forbidden for over 1,000 years. Due to this, ancient evergreen oaks and beech trees thrive in this virgin forest, which is a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees. The depths of this forest are dark even during the daytime, and are home to such rare creatures as the forest green tree frog, the hime-haru cicada, and the clouded salamander.
In 1955, the forest was designated as a national special natural monument, and in 1998, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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- Nara's World Heritage Sites
- https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/world-heritage
- Find out all about the attractions of Nara Park, from recommended ways to go around it, to the gourmet highlights and accommodations nearby.
- https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narapark
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General Information
- Address
- Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara
- Access
- From JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, take the Nara Kotsu Bus (city loop outer loop) to the "Wariishi-cho" bus stop, then walk for about 15 minutes to reach the starting point of the Kasugayama Promenade.
You can also access the Kasugayama Promenade from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station. Take the Nara Kotsu Bus to "Kasuga Taisha Honden" and then walk for about 10 minutes. - Car Park
- Not available
- Website
- Remarks
To reach a private driveway, take the Kasuga Okuyama Road. You can travel through part of the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. This route, which lets you enjoy the experience of being close to the lush and mysterious primeval forest even during the day, is one of the area’s tourist attractions. Observing giant trees that are over a thousand years old from the car window allows you to appreciate the greatness of nature and the gifts of the forest.
