The Meiji Jingu Shrine

In the heart of Tokyo, there is 70 hectare forest located on the site of the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

This man made forest was created about 90 years ago as a project with a 150-year vision. It was planted with the cooperation of about 110,000 volunteers, who planted 100,000 trees of 365 different indigenous species donated by people around the nation.

The forest was created under the guidance of Dr. Seirkou Honda, who we learnt recently was the mentor of Akira Miyawaki.

The Meiji Jingu forest is still moving through growth transitional stages. In around 60 years time the forest should settle to be entirely evergreen broad-leaved trees such as oak, chinquapin and camphor.

The rules for managing the forest are pleasing to read and consist of - do not pluck any leaves or branches etc from the forest. Do not walk in the forest and do not bring anything out of the forest - even a dead leaf!