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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Emerald whispers, Scarlet gate guards timeless paths— Lanterns light the soul.  エメラルドのささやき、 緋の門が時を守る— 灯籠が魂を照らす。  #offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #torii #forestpath #japaneseculture #serenespace #mossystairs
Golden light cascades, Whispers through the rocky arch, Mystic river dreams. 黄金の光、 岩の門をささやく、 神秘の川夢。#offbeatjapan #japan #serenity #naturelovers #mysticalplaces #tranquility #countryside
Emerald embrace, In the circle of bygone— Nature's quiet reign.  エメラルドの抱擁、 過ぎ去りし円の中で— 自然が静かに統治する。  #haikyo #urbexjapan #offbeatjapan #forgottenplaces #ancientvibes #naturetakeover #japan
Dusky bottles sigh In the silence of lost time, Light whispers secrets. 光が囁く、 失われた時の中、 くすんだ瓶のため息。 #offbeatjapan #japan #haikyo #urbexjapan #hiddenhistories #forgottenplaces #mysteriouslight #vintagevibes
Winding path of dreams, Terracotta whispers soft, Lanterns guide the heart. 夢の小道、 素焼きの囁き、 灯籠が心を導く。 #offbeatjapan #japan #historicvillage #traditionaltown #serenesettings #culturalheritage #lanternlight
Emerald circle, Teal whispers 'round stories told— History afloat. エメラルドの輪、 話を語る青の囁き、 歴史が浮かぶ。 #offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalisland #naturelovers #hiddenjapan #historicaltreasures #uniquepaths
A magical night at an abandoned onsen, where milky blue waters blend with glowing lights in a peaceful forest. Tradition and nature meet in this perfect spot for relaxation and serenity.幻想的な夜、廃墟の温泉で。乳白色の水と光が森の中で静かに調和しています。伝統と自然が融合し、リラックスと穏やかさがここにあります。#onsen #japantravel #serenescape #traditionmeetsnature #abandonedplaces #offbeatjapan #japan
A captivating night scene in Japan where ancient traditions meet modern city lights. This balance of the old and new is what makes urban life here so unique and beautiful. 静かな夜、日本の都市で古と現代の光が交わる情景。この古と新の調和が、ここ日本の都市の魅力を引き立てます。 #UrbanJapaneseNights #TraditionMeetsModern #NeonAndLanterns #TokyoVibes #CulturalContrast #OffbeatJapan #Japan