In the Sarukotsu River flowing through the site, the Sakhalin taimen—Japan's largest freshwater fish—and the cherry salmon (yamame), a species of note, have been confirmed. The freshwater pearl mussel has also been confirmed in the same water system, and white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles flying over the site have likewise been confirmed.

Left：Cherry salmon (yamame) Right：Steller's sea eagle

In the Sarukotsu River flowing through the site, the upstream migration and spawning of the Sakhalin taimen, Japan's largest freshwater fish, have been confirmed. Foraging traces of birds such as the white-tailed eagle have also been confirmed in the same water system, making it an important place for the breeding of fish such as the Sakhalin taimen and the foraging of birds such as the white-tailed eagle.

Left：White-tailed eagle Right： Sakhalin taimen

Because the previous owner actively retained superior broadleaf trees, the Ishii Forest is a mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest in which Mongolian oak and other broadleaf trees have naturally regenerated within a Japanese larch plantation, and in some places natural regeneration has been achieved within the planted forest. Seventy-six large-diameter Japanese larch trees planted in 1926—old even among Hokkaido's planted larch forests—still remain. Many naturally regenerated, aged broadleaf trees are also seen, forming a landscape distinctive even among planted forests.

Left：Around the old-generation Japanese larch Right：Japanese primrose

The Ishii Forest is managed appropriately based on zoning, forming an environment in which diverse species live even within a planted forest. The results of LEAP analysis also showed favorable figures for soil-runoff control, stored carbon volume, and the like.

Left：Corydalis ambigua Right：Hokkaido primrose (Primula jesoana)

Broadleaf forests dominated by beech account for most of the area, forming the “White Forest” together with adjacent forests. With steep terrain and almost no human intervention, it is an area where rich ecosystems exist, serving as a range of activity for “matagi” (traditional hunters). As rare species, the Japanese serow (a nationally designated special natural monument) and, in the water system, the forest green tree frog have been confirmed.

Left：Erosion-control dam Right：Beech-dominated broadleaf forest

Plants: Japanese clethra, false daphne, Iwauchiwa, Japanese camellia (Yukitsubaki), rowan, kobushi magnolia, Siebold's maple, spicebush, Japanese white pine, linden viburnum, Viburnum furcatum, Japanese bird cherry, Japanese winterberry, Japanese ash, Miyako bamboo grass, Murasakiyashio azalea, Japanese walnut
Animals: sika deer, Japanese wild boar, Asian black bear, Japanese serow, forest green tree frog, Japanese fire belly newt
Insects: Japanese tortoiseshell butterfly (adult)
Birds: Japanese tit, brown-eared bulbul, Eurasian jay

Left：Japanese camellia (Yukitsubaki) Right：Egg mass of the forest green tree frog

Oze National Park was designated in 1934 as part of Nikko National Park, but in 2007 the Oze area was separated and, incorporating the surrounding area including Mt. Tashiro, was designated as the 29th national park. The Oze area is based on mountainous terrain formed by eruptions of the Oze volcanic group, and features Honshu's largest mountain moor surrounded by mountains, moor vegetation shaped by terrain and climate, riparian forests, and flower fields. The northern area around Mt. Aizu-Komagatake and the eastern and southern areas around Mt. Kinunuma, Mt. Taishaku, and Mt. Tashiro also have forest zones dominated by beech and Maries' fir and moist grasslands at the summits, showing generally highly common vegetation.

Left：Summit signboard Right：Summit moor pond in early summer

In the planted forests centered on Japanese red pine, cedar, and cypress, we secure wide spacing between tree trunks and encourage the natural emergence of miscellaneous trees, guiding them toward mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests. In the general naturally regenerated forests of broadleaf trees, we carry out felling, weeding, and vine-cutting to enhance the forests' public-benefit value. In some areas, we maintain afforestation land for the polished logs that are a feature of Kitayama forestry. Native animals such as the Japanese green woodpecker, blue-and-white flycatcher, weasel, marten, and squirrel have been confirmed.

Cedar afforestation land for polished logs

We have concluded an agreement with the Kyoto Model Forest Association and lend approximately 19 hectares of cultural conservation forest free of charge. We provide Japanese red pine and Rhododendron reticulatum as firewood and torches used in the traditional events “Gozan Okuribi” and “Kurama Fire Festival.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the area was also used for forest-experience learning such as thinning, and as a place for local residents to experience forest-making.

Pine needles for the “Gozan Okuribi”