Text by Alex
Most people have probably heard of the term “forest bathing,” but did you know its birthplace is actually Chizawa Natural Recreational Forest in Nagano Prefecture? Within the forest, there’s also a sightseeing-style open-top miniature train that runs. Every autumn when the leaves turn red, it attracts a constant stream of visitors.
▲ (Photo by pcx758 @IG)
Chizawa Natural Recreational Forest is located in the southwestern part of Kamimatsu Town, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. The altitude ranges from 1,080 meters near the parking lot up to 1,558 meters. The area has been planted with Japanese cypress for over 300 years. Owned by the national government, the forest has long been under strict conservation policies, earning it a reputation as one of Japan’s three most beautiful forests.
▲ (Photo by y.skywalker7 @IG)
As for the forest railway, it began operating in 1900, primarily used to transport timber. It ceased operations in 1975 but resumed in 1987 for tourism purposes. The railway stretches 2.2 kilometers in total, with a round-trip ride taking about 25 minutes. The train cars feature an open design, allowing visitors to breathe in the freshest air of nature.
▲ (Photo by takumi @IG)
Along the railway, there are also seven forest bathing trails ranging from 2 to 3 kilometers in length, varying in difficulty to suit different types of visitors. In fact, many visitors choose to take the train one way and then leisurely walk back along the trails to the starting point of the railway, enjoying the forest scenery and taking photos along the way.
▲ (Photo by cocolocala @IG)
Chizawa Natural Recreational Forest serves as a popular summer retreat, and by the end of October, it becomes a prime spot for autumn leaf viewing, drawing the largest crowds. Then, from early November to April of the following year (specific dates vary each year), the park is closed due to heavy winter snowfall, and the miniature train also stops running. However, the forest generally has no fences preventing entry, so photographers wishing to capture snowy scenes can still enter, provided it is safe to do so.
▲ (Photo by yzpleiades @IG)
▲ (Photo by takuminn_y @IG)
▲ (Photo by 88mercury @IG)
▲ (Photo by netztoyota_nagano @IG)
Source: Kamimatsu Town Tourism Guide