Kasugayama Primeval Forest

Lore & Background

In 841, during the reign of Emperor Ninmyō, a prohibition was placed on hunting and logging on the sacred mountain, Mount Kasuga. This early protection preserved the forest as a primeval woodland. In 1873, the Daijō-kan issued a proclamation on public parks, leading to the opening of Nara Park in 1880, which was extended in 1888 to include Mount Kasuga and Mount Wakakusa. That same year, a typhoon felled some two thousand trees on Mount Kasuga.

Reader's Guide

Kasugayama Primeval Forest holds significance as a rare surviving example of a primeval forest within a major urban area, protected continuously since the 9th century. Its designation as a Natural Monument in 1924, upgraded to Special Natural Monument in 1955, reflects its ecological and cultural value. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, it contributes to the understanding of ancient Japanese sacred landscapes. The forest's preservation, rooted in religious prohibitions from 841, demonstrates an early form of environmental protection that predates modern conservation laws. Its inclusion in Nara Park, a designated Place of Scenic Beauty since 1922, further underscores its role in Japan's cultural heritage.

Did You Know?

• Hunting and logging on Mount Kasuga have been prohibited since 841.
• In 1888, a typhoon felled some two thousand trees on Mount Kasuga.
• Kasugayama Primeval Forest was designated a Natural Monument in 1924 and upgraded to a Special Natural Monument in 1955.
• The forest forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.