Ukimu Forest

Ukimu Forest (劲木举; ukimu-shama) is a forest located in north-west Kanton; its total area straddles the prefectures of Chiha and Fu. Ukimu is a deciduous forest, mostly populated with beech, hazel, oak and birch trees. The rivers Shimiyu and Shini run through the woodland from their sources in the Tansanko mountain range. Jinmu Forest is considered to be a sacred forest or bishama, one of only three which still exist in Kanton. It is commonly thought that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of spirits manifesting in the woodlands, and because of this, deforestation in Ukimu of any kind is strictly prohibited.

The forest is open to the public, and there are a number of shrines, temples and kamina scattered throughout the area. The largest temple, known as Ukimu First Temple or Ukimu Kanhora (劲木韩方) is especially popular, and is believed to be the oldest of them all. The legendary and highly sacred Ukifun tree is said to be the home of a forest deity called Sushamajin (先举精).

Ukimu is entered by way of an ancient staircase known as the Ukimu Way (劲木路; ukimu-michi) which is said to date back to the 4th century. Passing over this staircase used to require a mandatory purification ritual; for the benefit of tourists and sightseers this process is now optional.