Enchanting Graceful Beauty Forest: Elegant trees, warm sunlight, inviting exploration of majestic natural beauty.
Explore the elegant and enchanting beauty of the Graceful Beauty Forest, where sunlight bathes the beech trees in a warm, golden glow.

Bijin Bayashi: The Forest of Pretty Women

Where are these pretty women? In the forest of Bijin Bayashi! And they’re everywhere! Above, below, and all around you.

Where are these pretty women? In the forest of Bijin Bayashi (美人林)! And they’re everywhere! Above, below, and all around you. Will you succumb to their graceful forms, losing yourself in their radiant tresses?

autumn, forest, natural, nature, tokamachi

This beech forest at Tokamachi city, Niigata prefecture, is quite compact and can be visited in a morning. There’s a car park, an entrance, and a path running through the trees, which were planted about 90 years ago.

The most beautiful forest in Japan?

Rare bird species nest here and many birdwatchers come to study them. Keep your eyes peeled! They’re really worth a look, especially the Oriental dollarbird and the ruddy kingfisher.

autumn, forest, natural, nature, tokamachi

Some say this is the most beautiful forest in Japan. Others compare it with the Arashiyama bamboo forest. I won’t keep my favourite forest a secret from you though: it’s still Aokigahara (the famous suicide forest), much larger, mysterious and above all, as mossy as you could wish. But Bijin Bayashi is more joyful, colourful, and especially much better suited to strolling around. By the way, when you’re there, why not play a little game?

autumn, forest, natural, nature, tokamachi

A little game

Look around the forest for the views I’m showing you here. They’re all off the path, to the right, just before you reach the pond. Let’s start with Bandy Legs.

autumn, forest, natural, nature, tokamachi

Here’s Monkfish Moss.

autumn, forest, natural, nature, tokamachi

More difficult: Tintin’s Spider. If you find any of these, share your pictures in the comments!

autumn, forest, natural, nature, pond, tokamachi

Here’s the pond, with its reflections of the long legs of these beech-women. And a last little scene to discover: The Rooted Woman. A tree whose outsize roots vein the mossy ground.

autumn, forest, natural, nature, pond, tokamachi

This little game will take you less than twenty minutes. Maybe I should carry on with the idea in future articles – what do you think?  🙂

animal, autumn, fish, forest, natural, nature, pond, tokamachi

Incidentally, bijin means pretty woman and bayashi forest 🙂  So now you know! Niigata prefecture is off the tourist trail but count on me to introduce you to other cool spots. If you love forests, I’d also direct you to my article on The Giant Maple Tree of Oihara.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Glint of gold mirrors, Pond cradles sky's gentle blue, Leaves whisper of peace. ---黄金の輝き 池に浮かぶ空 紅葉が囁く静けさ ---#Kyoto #GoldenPavilion #ZenBeauty #JapaneseGarden #SereneNature #offbeatjapan #japan
Sunlight through green leaves, Moss whispers on wooden paths— Nature's quiet call.  陽光差し込む 苔むす木道に 自然の囁き  #offbeatjapan #japan #naturelovers #hiddenjapan #forestmagic #kyotoforest #explorejapan
Curved tiles under blue, Wood and white embrace the sky; Bridge whispers to green.---曲がる瓦 木と白、空に寄り添う 橋は緑に囁く---#offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalarchitecture #japanesegarden #natureanddesign #tranquilbeauty #serenespace
Ferris wheel aglow, Hints of Europe in Japan, Green whispers echo. --- 観覧車が光り、 日本にヨーロッパの香り、 緑がささやく。 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #amusementpark #ferriswheel #greennature #culturalfusion #hiddenjapan
Golden leaves whisper, Twisted branches weave tales old— Nature's fleeting art.---黄金の葉 ねじれた枝が語る— 自然の儚さ---#koyo #momiji #autumnvibes #fallcolors #japan #offbeatjapan #forestmagic
Rusted roofs embrace, Green and teal whispers of time, Nature's claim blooms wild. 錆びた屋根、 時間の緑と青、 自然が咲く。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #urbexjapan #naturemeetseyesore #industrialrelics #postapocalypticbeauty #rustandgreen
Wooden whispers glow, Stone paths weave through time's embrace— Sky of tranquil blue. 木の囁き、 時間の抱擁を織る石の道—— 静かな青空。 #Higashiyama #KyotoDreaming #TraditionalJapan #MachiyaMagic #CulturalJourney #offbeatjapan #japan
Silent green whispers Pathway through the towering strength Grey stone stands at peace 静かな緑の囁き 高くそびえる力の小道 灰色の岩が平和に立つ #bambooforest #japanesenature #serenity #stonepath #greenvibes #offbeatjapan #japan