Kasugayamagenshirin, A Millennia-Old Natural Sanctuary
Kasugano-cho, Nara City
4.6
Introduction
Engtext
Mount Kasuga is a mountain located to the east of Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara City, with an elevation of 497 meters. Adjacent to it is Mount Gongen (also known as Mikasayama) to the west, with an elevation of 283 meters. These mountains are connected to Mount Wakakusa, which lies to the north of the shrine. Since 841 AD, the western side of the mountain has been protected from logging, allowing the forest to remain intact. Through years of conservation efforts, the primeval forest has been preserved, and many ancient trees over a thousand years old can be found here. In 1955, Mount Kasuga was designated as a Special Natural Monument, and in 1998, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. Transportation Take a Nara Kotsu bus towards the main hall of Kasuga Taisha from JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, get off at the final stop, and walk about 5 minutes to the entrance of the trail (north).
Quiet primeval forests
