Hiking
Walk alongside babbling brooks and breathe in the refreshing forest air
This pleasant nature trail runs along the banks of the Abukuma River in Nasukashi Highland. The course starts at the river's headwaters in Nishigo Village and continues into Kibitaki-no-Mori Forest, where the woodland is filled with birdsong. The trails through Kibitaki-no-Mori Forest are also popular with trail runners.
Abukuma River
The Shin-Kashi Nature Trail runs along the banks of the Abukuma River's headwaters in Fukushima Prefecture. You may see the charming pink flowers of Nippon bells (Shortia uniflora) and the white blooms of cork azalea shrubs in spring. In autumn, you can enjoy the colorful changing leaves of the forest.
The Ken Katsura Tree
The Ken Katsura Tree is estimated to be 370 years old and stands 45 meters tall. Its thick trunk is 9.7 meters across at its widest. The tree splits into several main branches from the roots. Legend has it that the feudal lord of the Shirakawa region, Matsudaira Sadanobu, imprisoned a fierce deity that was tormenting the local people in the tree. Travelers gave it the name Ken Katsura, meaning “katsura sword” in Japanese. A small shrine was built next to the sacred tree for the many worshippers visiting it. The Forestry Agency included the Ken Katsura Tree in its “One Hundred Forest Giants of Japan."
Kibitaki-no-Mori Forest
Kibitaki-no-Mori Forest is located next to the Shin-Kashi Nature Trail. The leafy woodland trail is a great place to breathe in the fresh forest air. It's also an excellent spot for birdwatching, being home to many wild birds. You may spot Fukushima Prefecture’s official bird, the narcissus flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina), as well as great spotted woodpeckers and blue-and-white flycatchers. The area is also popular among trail runners.
