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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Pillars guard the past, Under blossoms' pink embrace— Spring whispers linger. ---石像守る 桜の花にて— 春の囁き ---#cherryblossoms #jizos #traditionaljapan #serenefields #floralguardians #offbeatjapan #japan
Wheels rust in stillness, Blue skies dance with clouds above, Nature takes the stage.---静けさに錆びた車輪、 雲と踊る青空、 自然が舞台を奪う。---#offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #ferriswheel #naturetakesover #melancholicbeauty #ruraljapan
Stone lanterns whisper, Blue night cradles ancient glow, Path of dreams aglow. ---灯籠の声が、 青い夜、古き光を抱き、 夢の道かがやく。 ---#stoneLanterns #nightGlow #enlightenmentPath #ancientJapan #mysticalJourney #offbeatJapan #japan
Wood bends whispers soft, Ruby bridge spans silent snow, River's blue embrace.---木は静かに曲がり、 赤い橋は静かな雪にかかり、 川の青が抱きしめる。 ---#GinzanOnsen #WinterInJapan #TraditionalVillage #HotSpringTown #RubyBridge #SnowyScenes #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Scarlet lilies gleam, Whispering tales of beyond, Sunlight weaves their dream. --- スカーレットユリが輝く、 彼岸の物語をささやき、 陽光が夢を織る。 --- #LycorisRadiata #redspiderlily #etherealbeauty #offbeatjapan #japan #landscapephotography #culturalheritage
Fiery leaves whisper, Tea fields cradle emerald dreams— History’s soft gaze. ---火の葉が囁く、 お茶畑に翡翠の夢を抱く— 歴史の柔らかい視線。---#offbeatjapan #japan #ruralbeauty #teafieldserenity #autumncolors #hiddenjapan #natureandhistory
Scarlet flames ascend, Daruma spirits rising, Hope reborn in fire. 赤い炎上がり、 だるまの魂立ち上がる、 炎で希望再生。 #DarumaKuyo #FireCeremony #HopeReborn #CulturalRitual #JapanCulture #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Sky meets stone giants, Silent faces in the sun, History etched deep. 青空と 石の巨人達 静かなる歴史 #mountainscapes #rushmoreviews #historycarved #americanicons #offbeatusa #nationaltreasures #natureartistry