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- Location: Chino, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Timestamp: 09:01・2024/09/11
- Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
- ISO 2500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
- Provia/Standard film simulation
A Photowalk Through Time: The Untouched Wilderness of Tateshina-Genseirin
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蓼科原生林で楽しむフォトウォーク: 長野の自然を探る
The Tateshina-Genseirin Primeval Forest is a small preserve of old-growth trees stretching about 12 km (7.46 mi) along the shoreline of the Takinoyu River, which flows from the nearby Tateshina-Otaki Falls.
This ancient forest is home to towering trees, their twisted shapes and immense age inspiring quiet reflection. Many of these trees have adapted to grow around large volcanic boulders, their contorted trunks and roots clinging to the rugged stones. These adaptations are a response to the forest's natural challenges, such as typhoon winds, heavy snowfall, and a thin layer of topsoil. Together, these elements form a living testament to the forest's untouched nature and geological history.
The woodland is rich with deciduous trees and ferns, which, combined with its high elevation, help maintain cooler temperatures even in summer. This coolness creates ideal conditions for the growth of ferns, fungi, and moss, adding to the forest's vibrant diversity.
Japan's forest area covers 25.05 million hectares (61.9 million acres), accounting for 68.5% of the country’s total land. However, human impact on forests—through logging, firewood collection, and charcoal production—began as early as 9,000 BCE. As a result, less than 4% of Japan’s forests remain untouched as primeval forest. The Tateshina-Genseirin Primeval Forest is one of these rare treasures, a place to be cherished and preserved for future generations.
References:
- Location: Chino, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Timestamp: 09:06・2024/09/11
- Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
- ISO 1000 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
- Provia/Standard film simulation
Nestled within the heart of Nagano Prefecture, the Tateshina-Genseirin Forest reveals unique scenes of primeval life. Ancient trees twist and curve around volcanic boulders, their roots gripping onto moss-covered stones with quiet determination. This virgin landscape has remained largely untouched for millennia, allowing the forest to thrive in its wild, unspoiled beauty.
In this photo, you can see the interplay of life and stone—a magnificent tree growing in harmony with the terrain, sculpted by the forces of nature, revealing its remarkable resilience. Walking through this forest felt like stepping back in time, where the air was crisp, and the ground was soft beneath my feet, inviting moments of peace and reflection.
Located in the heart of Nagano Prefecture, just a 3- to 4-hour drive from Tokyo, the Tateshina-Genseirin Primeval Forest is a living testament to nature’s resilience. Some of the ancient trees, wrapped with thick vines, twist and bend around volcanic boulders, their roots gripping moss-covered stones. These roots spread across the thin layer of topsoil, which rests atop an ancient lava flow. Untouched for millennia, this virgin forest thrives in wild, unspoiled beauty, a reflection of nature's enduring strength when it remains free of mankind’s interference.
In this photo, a sugi tree (Japanese cedar) stands with two main trunks, one of which twists sharply to the left—likely the result of heavy snow, typhoon winds, or even a previous toppling due to the shallow topsoil over the lava flow. Despite these forces, the trunk eventually straightened and reached skyward, its thick and strong form a testament to its persistence. To me, this serves as a metaphor: even when life’s challenges or setbacks cause us to veer off course, with patience and resilience, we too can find our way back, growing stronger and rising toward the light despite our imperfections.
In this photo, you can see the interplay of life and stone—a magnificent tree growing in harmony with the terrain, sculpted by the forces of nature, revealing its remarkable resilience. Walking through this forest felt like stepping back in time, where the air was crisp, and the ground was soft beneath my feet, inviting moments of peace and reflection.
Download a licensed digital photo: pix4japan.picfair.com
Order a print: pix4japan.smugmug.com
The Tateshina-Genseirin Primeval Forest is home to ancient trees that twist and curve around volcanic boulders, forming surreal, natural sculptures. Wrapped in thick bark and moss, these trees create shapes only possible in an untouched forest, free from human interference. In this close-up shot, I removed the broader context to focus on the intricate contrast of textures, from the weathered wood to the moss-covered stone, highlighting the interplay of colors and the calming, yet rugged mood of the scene.
A close-up of an ancient Japanese sugi tree with weathered, twisted bark resting against a large volcanic boulder. The upper half of the image features the rugged, textured bark, while the lower half shows the smooth surface of the boulder, accented with patches of green moss and subtle cracks.
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