About
In the center of Ichikawa City, quietly standing in the area of Yawata, is “Yawata no Yabushirazu.” This small forest has long been passed down among people as a mysterious place, and the legend that those who enter cannot return still lives on today.
When you stand at the entrance to the forest, a silence spreads as if the bustle of the outside world were a lie. The leaves of the trees sway in the wind, making a whispering sound, while sunlight spills through the gaps in the branches and leaves, painting fantastical patterns on the ground. Moss-covered stones are scattered at your feet, evoking the passage of many years.
This place has a history dating back to the Heian period, and it is said that it was once a training ground for practitioners of Shugendo. The ascetic monks likely trained their minds deep within this forest, seeking enlightenment. However, as time passed, the forest faded from people’s memories and gradually increased its mystique as a “place not to be entered.”
The local people respect this forest and never set foot inside. This may not be mere superstition, but rather a warning born from the wisdom and experience of their ancestors. It is believed that within the forest dwell natural powers yet to be explained, as well as the breath of ancient gods.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in abundance around the forest, and pale pink petals dance in the wind. In summer, the cries of cicadas echo, and the green of the forest deepens even more. In autumn, the forest is colored by autumn leaves, and in winter, snow piles up in the silence, spreading a world of silver white. This place, which shows a different face with each season, touches the hearts of visitors and inspires both an appreciation for nature’s beauty and a sense of awe.
“Yawata no Yabushirazu” is not just a forest, but a special place where history, legend, and the mysteries of nature intersect. Its existence reminds us living in the modern age of the importance of respect and humility toward nature. When visiting this place, if you listen to its silence and mystery, you may be able to sense something deep within your heart.