This month, we will introduce you to breathtaking places where moss flourishes. You can enjoy various landscapes such as moss-covered rocks that stand amidst lush forests and clear streams. Take a tour of these precious moss forests selected by the Japanese Society of Mosses and Lichens to fully appreciate the beauty of nature.
Kitayazawa Stream / Tottori
Located deep in the forest behind the Oodayama Ski Resort, the "Kitayaizawa Stream" is a beautiful place where moss and beech forests have formed over the course of many years. As you walk along the path surrounded by the sunlight and silence, the sound of trickling water and the chirping of birds fill the air, creating a breathtaking scene. The Kitayaizawa Stream, with its clear streams dotted with moss-covered rocks and stunning forest scenery, has even been featured in a natural water commercial, earning the nickname "The Stream of Dreams."
Location: Eguchi-cho, Hino District, Tottori Prefecture
URL: www.town-kofu.jp/2/spot/r681/r154
Gawarako Falls / Fukui
Behind the grounds of Tenkodo Temple, which is popularly known as "Water Forest," lies "Gawarako Falls." The spring water flows down the rock face like a waterfall, boasting a flow rate of 4,500 tons per day. Named after a legend that said the water would naturally split open and form a waterfall, this waterfall boasts a remarkable volume of water, 4,500 tons per day. Moss grows in the surrounding forests and rocks, and the water spray from the waterfall nurtures the beauty of moss and greenery. The mountain trail leading to the waterfall is well-maintained, and amidst the seasonal plants that adorn the surroundings, you can leisurely enjoy a stroll.
Residence: Tenkudo Temple, Wakasa Town, Misota-gun, Fukui Prefecture
URL: www.wakasa-mikatagoko.jp/search/entry/tourism-009.html
Hiyata Yunshu Gorge / Kagoshima, Yakushima Island
A living, breathing world, also known as the “Forest of the Princess of the Moon.” Yakushima Island is also known as the world’s richest repository of mosses. With over 8,000 millimeters of rainfall per year, Yakushima is the perfect environment for mosses to grow. It is said that there are approximately 1,600 species of mosses native to Japan, but about 600 of them are found on Yakushima. The Shiratani Yunshu Gorge in this forest is a natural rest area designated by the Forestry Agency in 1979 as a “place for people and forests to interact.” It has been said that the area known as “Mossy Forest” is also called “The Forest of the Princess of the Moon.” The mosses that glow in the sunlight through the gaps in the trees and the mosses that shine with their luster after being wet by rain are a unique sight in Yakushima. The mosses that glow in the sunlight through the gaps in the trees are a sight that brings healing along with strong power.
Residence: Yakushima Town, Kumao District, Kagoshima Prefecture
URL: www.kagoshima-kankou.com/guide/10740
Shibako Pond / Nagano
Surrounded by a pristine forest of shirabiso and kometsuga, the “White Lake” area at an altitude of over 2,100 meters in the Northern Hachigake region is virtually untouched by human hands. This area is also known as the “Moss Forest,” with over 480 species of moss inhabiting it, covering the entire area in a carpet of green. You can enjoy a 15-minute hike from the parking lot along National Route 299 to the lake while marveling at the mystical landscape of moss-covered forests. Using insect glasses and a magnifying glass, you can observe various types of moss.
Location: Sakuho Town, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture
URL: https://db.go-nagano.net/topics_detail6/id=3782
URL: https://jp.zekkeijapan.com
For more information about each location, check the website! We have plenty of information about how to get there, the best season, and tourist information about the area.
