Abundant Shiratori Kyodo-no-Mori Forest Walking Trail

Walk through a thriving old-growth forest filled with large and ancient trees

This course takes you through a primeval forest preserve called Abundant Shiratori Kyodo-no-Mori Forest to an area with traditional hot springs.* It runs alongside a stream that flows through the forest. The water is very clean and the shallow pools of this gentle river are great places for both children and adults to cool off in during the hot summer months.

Many different types of trees grow here, including Japanese red pine, Mongolian and Japanese evergreen oaks, fir and hemlock. This forest is home to about 600 giant trees, which are at least 280 centimeters in circumference and more than 220 years old.

Be aware that cellphone reception is weak in this area.

*Note that the Ebino Plateau–Fudoike Pond–Mount Koshiki route is currently closed due to an eruption.

Highlights

A giant beech tree

The massive trees of a primeval forest

This forest is home to many old gigantic trees belonging to several different species. Their sheer size makes human visitors seem tiny in comparison. The area's high humidity is the perfect environment for emerald moss to thrive at the feet of these trees, which makes the forest scenery even more striking. One giant sudajii tree here is 19 meters tall, nearly 2 meters in diameter and has a circumference of over 6 meters. There is also a huge fir tree that is over 30 meters tall and 157 centimeters in diameter.

The outdoor garden bath at the Shitayu complex

The hot spring baths of Shiratori Onsen

The Shiratori Onsen hot spring complex is located between Ebino City and Ebino Highland. One popular bathing facility in this area is called Shitayu. This hot spring bath boasts an outdoor garden bath surrounded by forest, as well as private baths that can be reserved. Husband-and-wife poets Tekkan and Akiko Yosano visited Shitayu in 1929, and a poem they wrote is carved into a stone monument here. Just 500 meters away from Shitayu is another onsen called Ueyu, where a famous samurai named Saigo Takamori (1828–1877) once visited. He was one of the three great nobles that led the Meiji Restoration, a pivotal phase in Japan's history that saw sweeping modernization and industrialization. Saigo stayed here for three months to recover physically and mentally when he resigned after losing an important political debate.

The pristine waters of the forest's stream

The headwaters of the Shiratori River

The Shiratori River flows through a ravine, fed by the pure waters flowing into it from the surrounding forest. During summer, children play in the calm, shallow pools found by the river. The Shiratori River feeds into the Sendai River, which in turn flows into the East China Sea over 60 kilometers away at Satsumasendai City.

Trail Map

Abundant Shiratori Kyodo-no-Mori Forest Walking Trail

Click to Expand Map