VOL.197 OCTOBER 2024
JAPAN’S HEALING FORESTS (PART 2)
Autumn Forests with Colorful Leaves
Enjoy the Autumn Leaves of Japanese Beech in Appi Kogen
In early October, the leaves of the Japanese beech trees begin to change color, turning yellow.
Photo: Hachimantai City Tourism Association
The nature-rich Appi Kogen (Appi Plateau) surrounds the city of Hachimantai in northwestern Iwate Prefecture, which is located in the northeastern region of the Japanese archipelago. Appi Kogen is situated at an altitude of 800 to 900 meters above sea level and extends across a vast area of about 2,000 hectares. The plateau is home to an expansive area of beech forest that displays spectacular colors in autumn. TAKAHASHI Misato of the Hachimantai City Tourism Association introduced us about how to enjoy this forest during the autumn foliage season.
“Horses graze in an area of natural grassland at Appi Kogen called Naka-no-Makiba (means “A grazing land in the middle” in Japanese), and a secondary forest of beech enclosing the area has been cultivated,” explains TAKAHASHI.
Secondary forests are forests that originally stood on the land, but were lost due to natural disasters or logging, and have since regenerated naturally. This secondary Japanese beech forest in Appi Kogen took about 80 years to regenerate.
“In the old days, most of the Japanese beech trees in Appi Kogen were cut down by the locals to make charcoal, lacquerware, or other materials. However, some large trees that could not be cut down remained as parent trees, and seeds（see photo）fell, sprouted and grew up all together. The result was a regeneration into a beautiful beech forest of trees of uniform height. You can still observe the remaining giant parent Japanese beech trees, which are said to be 200 to 300 years old.”
In this Japanese beech forest, there is a 2.3-kilometer walking path that starts at the Buna no Eki (“Beech Station”) rest facility, where you can enjoy a walk on a trail cleared of underbrush.
There are several routes through the forest, some that are named, such as Haato no Komichi (“Path of the Heart”). These paths let you navigate the entire forest in about 50-minutes.
Photo: Hachimantai City Tourism Association
“The Japanese beech forest is also called a ‘green dam’ due to its high water-retaining capacity. Take a step into the forest, and you’ll be enveloped by air that will moisten your skin. A mere stroll through a forest like this is sure to be very invigorating.”
Signage marks the walking paths every 20 meters, so you can enjoy forest bathing without worrying about getting lost in the woods. The Hachimantai City Tourism Association will also introduce a guide upon request.
“The colors of the leaves in the secondary beech forest begin to change in early October, and you can move along the walking paths while enjoying very close-up views of the yellow-colored Japanese beech trees. When autumn is in full swing, the trails become carpets of fallen leaves, and you’ll love the soft, fluffy feeling underfoot.”
Photo: Hachimantai City Tourism Association
In fact, today’s Appi Kogen is a modern resort area lined with fashionable lodging facilities that offer you a comfortable and relaxing stay.
“Some of the hotels in the area provide guided tours that explain the area’s nature, its past and present culture, and the beech forests, to let you enjoy an even more rewarding walk with safety.”
We invite you to enjoy walking and forest bathing to your heart’s content in the beautiful beech forests of Appi Kogen.
By MOROHASHI Kumiko
Photo: Hachimantai City Tourism Association; PIXTA
