Aerial Mandala-like Vegetation Formation in Japan
Aerial view of a striking, mandala-like vegetation pattern with concentric green rings around a circular core in Japan.

The mysterious forest circles of Miyazaki

I didn’t happen across these strange circles of trees while soaring over the Japanese landscape but, like many curious folk, I found them on social networks. As these always show the same photos, I decided to check them out with my very own aerial sensors.

Come under my catwings, and we’re off to Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture! More accurately to the relatively pretty town of Nichinan. From there, a semi-abandoned track straddles a thickly forested mountainside. A good half hour later, a weathered sign appears. It seems to indicate the centre of one of those agricultural curiosities!

Ha, waddya mean agro what? So a crop circle is an unexpected artificial pattern. You might remember those found in fields in the United States that were attributed to paranormal phenomena, such as spacecraft landing. When in truth it was me! They’re fools anyway (me too).

My drone, freed, flies up to the heights. These images come straight back. Trees, Miyazaki, Japan, meow & curiosity: after smoking a few too many buds I’m wired to imagine these circles are Totoro launch sites! The reality is more mundane: the forest was established in 1973 by the local forestry agency to test plantation growth.

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

Seven hundred and twenty trees were planted in a sequence of concentric circles, starting with a central small area and gradually increasing the radial increments to form larger circles, ten trees deep. The objective was to study the effects of forest density on the growth of a local type of wood: Obi cedar (飫肥(おび)杉).

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

Fifty years later, the result surpassed the researchers’ expectations when the first drone photos were available! The forest was supposed to be felled in 2011, but as there’s still no exact explanation for the phenomenon, the experiment is extended until 2023.

Japan Cycle Tree
Japan Cycle Tree

I’m counting on the most curious among you to answer these questions in the comments: Why is this formation surprising? Do you know of other similar experiments? And finally, how might Miyazaki use this forest for tourism?

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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Soft waves kiss the light, Stone lantern in dusk's embrace, Gold whispers to blue. 静かな波 黄昏の灯籠 金が青に囁く #offbeatjapan #japan #serenesunset #japaneselantern #duskbeauty #tranquility #japanesegardens #eveningcalm
Waterfall whispers, Sunbeams dance with lush green life— Harmony's embrace.  滝のささやき、 日光は緑と踊る— 調和の抱擁。  #waterfall #forestmagic #japaneselandscape #naturephotography #serenity #offbeatjapan #japan
Pearl bridge in the wind, White and blue in harmony, Sky whispers softly. 風に白橋、 調和する青、 空は静か。 #AkashiKaikyoBridge #PearlBridge #offbeatjapan #Japan #EngineeringMarvel #ScenicJapan #UrbanNature #BridgeViews
Azure seas below, Cliffs embrace in vibrant hues, Nature's tapestry.青い海 鮮やかな崖たち 自然の織物#offbeatjapan #japan #okinawa #naturephotography #islandparadise #coastlineviews #japantravel
Whispering night glows, Canal mirrors earth and sky, Dreams float on waters. 囁く夜輝く、 運河が地と空を映す、 夢が水上に浮かぶ。 #OtaruMagic #Nightscape #HokkaidoViews #OtaruCanal #ReflectiveWaters #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Golden light whispers, Stones scattered like ancient dreams, Nature's quiet tales. ---黄金の光、 古代の夢のように石散る、 自然の静かな物語。---#karstlandscape #Akiyoshidai #yamaguchi #hiddenjapan #serenebeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Concrete arch whispers, Shattered glass mirrors echoes— Ghosts of grandeur fade. ---コンクリートのアーチの囁き、 砕けたガラスは反響を映す— 壮麗の亡霊は消えゆく。 ---#haikyo #urbanexploration #decayingbeauty #ghostsofarchitecture #offbeatjapan #abandonedjapan #japan
Cedar shadows dance, Sun-kissed moss whispers softly— A sacred journey. 杉の影踊る 陽の光が苔囁く 聖なる道 #offbeatjapan #japan #hiddenpath #forestmagic #sacredjourney #cedartrees #nature whispers