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Otaki Forest Railway: The core of the Kiso Forest Railway still runs for tourists through Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest, where 300-year-old natural forests grow and the idea of forest bathing was born. Forest railways were constructed throughout the Kiso Valley.
Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest: The forest has produced fine timber of hinoki cypress since ancient times. The wood is used as the sacred wood for Ise Grand Shrine’s Shikinen Sengu (rebuilding of the shrine every 20 years). A preserved forest that is the birthplace of forest bathing.
Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest is among the three major beautiful forests in Japan.
The forest is filled with natural Kiso-hinoki cypress trees that are over 300 years old. However, it cannot be considered a primeval forest.
In the mid-17th century, the Owari Domain started to protect the forest with a strict preservation policy. That was the origin of the current forest.
The Akasawa Forest Railway operates within the Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest during its open period from spring to fall.
Since the railway originated as part of a museum, the travel distance is not long. However, the train running through the magnificent, beautiful woodland with its clear water and air epitomizes the forest railway. It is known to many people both in Japan and abroad.
100 years have passed since Otaki Forest Railway was constructed in 1916. 40 years have passed since Otaki Forest Railway was discontinued in 1975. Forest railways are historical heritages of the Kiso Valley. Otaki Village especially was a mecca of forest railways.
The forest railways of the time were the main mode of transportation for people as well as for lumber. They were indispensable to people in the mountain area, who referred to them fondly as Rintetsu. The remains of the forest railways are still seen in several places in Kiso-gun.
Mr. Takaya Chimura
We interviewed Mr. Takaya Chimura. He works as a Nagano Prefecture nature observation instructor, a forest therapy guide for the NPO Forest Therapy Society, and an Akazawa forest guide for the NPO Kiso Hinokinomori.
He said, “The only means of transporting lumber had been the river. The forestry industry has been developing since the forest railway was opened in 1916.
The last forest train service in Japan was discontinued in 1966, and then replaced by transportation via truck.”
“Is the forest railway no longer running now?”
“It runs for tourists now.
It is diesel-powered and really loud when you ride, but that’s part of the appeal.
A train called Baldwin, made in the U.S.A., was in service at that time. It is also on display now. It might be the only one left in the world.”
“It’s a special train.”
“Speaking of rare, there remains a train car that was used exclusively for haircuts. That was because mountain workers stayed in the mountains for months.
It is a historical railway that started out as a method of transportating wood, but went on to transport people. Please come and ride it.
A forest train
The train line from that time
He showed me photos of real trains running.
“Can you tell us about Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest?”
“Yes. Please look at these photos first.”
Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
“Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest is among the three major beautiful forests in Japan. Now, it is called a naturally regenerated forest, instead of a natural forest. It is great that it is not an artificial forest.
Nowadays we have forest therapy, and tourists often ask for it. Participants are supposed to walk for a while, rest for a while, and then lie down under a big tree. The key is to take your time so you don’t get tired. With this in mind, our guide instructs participants while walking.”
He showed us his guide materials for forest therapy.
He also showed us the inside of his bag, which was packed with hand-made guide materials!
“As for forest therapy, chemists and medical experts have conducted various experiments and discovered a component called phytoncide. It has a great effect on humans, so I recommend trying it.
Participants look different before and after a forest tour. Their facial expressions really change. I enjoy seeing these changes,”
said Mr. Chimura. He is working hard as a guide to give people a taste of Kiso.
Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest is open from April through November. During the open period, it is possible to go on train rides. Various hands-on experiences are available during the summer event Tom Sawyer Club Village.
30 minutes by car, taxi, bus
* A special bus service for Akasawa is available. A round-trip ticket is available in the tourist information center near the bus stop.
45 minutes by car, taxi, bus
* A special bus service for Akasawa is available. A round-trip ticket is available in the tourist information center near the bus stop.
Respectively 90 minutes by car
Ogawairi, Agematsu Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
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