Fuji from various angles. Aokigahara Sea of Trees is located in Narusawa Village and Fujikawaguchiko Town in the northwestern part of Mt. It is said that the name “Aokigahara Sea of Trees” was derived from the fact that the view from the mountainside looks like a carpet of green, and the trees look like a “sea of trees” spreading out like an ocean plain. The Aokigahara Sea of Trees is a precious area of pristine primeval forests thanks to its designation as a natural monument. For more details, Mr. Takashi Uchiyama, a researcher at the Yamanashi Prefectural Fuji Science Institute, gave us a lecture on the origins and actual highlights of the area.
Aokigahara Sea of Trees, where a forest was formed on top of lava from Mt. Mt. Fuji has undergone several large-scale eruptions before reaching its present form. The closest to the present day is the 1707 Hoei eruption that occurred during the Edo period (1603-1868). The volcanic ejecta is basaltic and has low viscosity, so it tends to flow toward the base of the volcano. The direction of flow varies depending on the location of the crater and other factors, and the Aokigahara Sea of Trees was formed on lava that flowed out during the Sadakan eruption in 864 during the Heian period (794-1185). After the lava cools and hardens, trees do not grow suddenly, but mosses and lichens take root first, followed by annual and perennial plants. Then, yang trees (red pine and birch), which prefer strong light, emerge, forming a forest of yang trees composed of shrubs. As these trees grow, the number of yang trees diminishes because light can no longer reach the forest floor, and shade trees (beech and shii), which can grow in low-light environments, grow to form shade forests composed of taller trees. Most primeval forests are shade forests, but the Aokigahara Sea of Trees is a mixed forest of both shade and yin trees, and is said to be a precious existence in the process of change. The environment where trees grow on top of lava rocks creates a unique landscape and is a highlight unique to this area. The roots of the trees grow over the surface of the ground, and in areas where lava has collapsed, the trees are overturned, but there are also many trees that are strong and grow upward.
Walking in the primeval forest with its unique scenery Aokigahara Sea of Trees has several easy walking trails, but this time we walked along the path from Fudake-kaze Cave to Narusawa Ice Cave. Although the sea of trees has an image of being dangerous, the trails are well-maintained, so as long as you do not stray from the path, you should be fine. From the standpoint of environmental protection, it is not advisable to walk off the path, and the terrain is rugged and uneven due to the accumulation of lava, so it is not easy to walk anywhere other than on the path. Although the path is well-maintained, you will be walking on the lava rocks, so you may wear sneakers, but it is better to have thick soles on your shoes. Once you enter the actual Aokigahara Sea of Trees, you will be struck by the serenity of the forest and the mysterious scenery. In the mornings and evenings, you can often hear birds chirping. Wild animals such as raccoons and deer also inhabit the area, and if you are lucky, you may be able to see them. One of the common myths about the Sea of Trees is that “compasses are lost. It is said that the geomagnetic field in the Sea of Trees is so distorted by lava that the compass needle keeps spinning round and round, rendering it useless. ……” Mr. Uchiyama explained with a laugh, “Well, it is a lie. It is true that there are places where the compass is attracted to or shaken by magnetic rocks, but it can be used normally if the compass is pulled out from the waist up,” he explained with a laugh. On the other hand, if you want to see the compass go haywire, “try it at the end of a spiky rock,” he said.
Narusawa ice cave where ice does not melt even in summer There are several lava caves called wind holes and ice holes in the Aokigahara Sea of Trees. They are formed when lava cools and hardens, and when the gas that accumulates in the cave escapes or when the still-hot lava erupts. This time, we visited three caves: Narusawa Ice Cave, Fugaku Cave, and Ryugu Cave. Narusawa Ice Cave is the most famous and is a popular spot due to its proximity to the road and parking lot. The total length of the cave is 153 meters, with the deepest point 21 meters below the ground and the height of the cave ranging from 0.91 to 3.6 meters. The height of the cave is so peculiar that you have to bend over and go slowly or you will hit your head. As explained at the entrance, “Bend over anyway. There have been accidents with bloodshed four days in a row. The temperature inside the cave is 0°C (32°F), so it is quite cold inside. It is quite cold inside the cave, which is no wonder, as there is a lot of ice inside. Ice shelves, which have been used as ice chambers from natural icicles, are also placed inside the cave, allowing visitors to enjoy a moment of coolness in this extremely hot weather. Many foreigners who visited the museum were also very pleased.
Fugaku-kaze Cave is another popular lava cave Fugaku-kaze Cave is a side cave type cave and is easier to walk through than Narusawa Hyobana. The total length of the cave is 201 m, and the maximum height of the cave is 8.7 m, so it does not seem small. In addition to seeing icicles, visitors can also see special landforms such as rope-shaped lava, lava terraces, and lava ponds.
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