Kasugayama Primeval Forest

Autumn, vibrant with the colors of yellow and red, quickly fades away, and Nara city is transitioning into a full-fledged winter where the cold deeply permeates.

The quietness prevailing in Kasugayama Primeval Forest seems a world apart from the vibrant hustle of tourists crowding Nara Deer Park nearby. In winter at Mt. Kasuga, the leaves fall, and it’s the season when walking along the promenade gets the most sunlight.

Kasugayama Primeval Forest is one of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites and also designated as a Special Natural Monument by the country. Since becoming a protected area during the Heian period (794～1180), it has been a divine object of worship.

During this tour, you can hear many stories that you wouldn’t know unless explained by a professional guide, such as explanations about nuts, vines specific to this forest, peculiarly shaped tree stumps, and conservation efforts in forest where humans and deer coexist. The guide will also tell you about the reality of the forest landscape being disrupted due to factors such as the increase in invasive species and damage caused by deer grazing. It’s already a pleasant place to stroll around, but I believe that by listening to various explanations, you can gain a new perspective.

How about joining a tour that fully engages your senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell and thinking about the forest future?