Slender beech trunks give Bijinbayashi its distinctive character: a roughly three-hectare grove in Matsunoyama, Tokamachi, with trees approximately a century old. Consider it for a forest walk focused on the trees themselves, choosing your season for fresh leaves, autumn colour or snowy scenery.
Featured image: “新潟県 美人林” by Yasuyuki_Kawano / FIND/47, CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP. Image source · CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The photograph was taken on 7 March 2020 and shows historical winter scenery, not current October conditions.
Why visit
Bijinbayashi’s even-looking trunks have a shared history. The trees were cut around the end of the Taisho period, and new beech trees grew together to form the grove seen today. That pattern of regrowth is part of its appeal: try looking at the repeated lines of the trunks as well as individual trees.
Plan your visit
Choose the seasonal appearance that interests you most. The guide lists early May for fresh green leaves, early to mid-November for autumn foliage, and December–April for snowy scenery. These are indicative seasonal windows, not promises of conditions on a particular day.
For access from Matsudai Station, the guide gives about 15 minutes by taxi. Outside winter, another option is a Matsunoyama Onsen-bound bus to Sakaimatsu, followed by about 20 minutes on foot. Use those figures as indicative durations rather than a timetable: they do not establish exact departures or a round-trip plan.
Make the most of your visit
Try framing several slender trunks together to bring out the grove’s uniform appearance, or concentrate on the contrast between the trees and the season you have chosen. Keep your visit gentle: Bijinbayashi is private land, so avoid littering, damaging trees or disturbing wildlife. Respectful personal photography is treated separately from media, film, advertising and drone shoots; those shoots require prior consultation and local permission.
Planning notes
The official visitor guide information was checked on 2026-10-11. Winter changes the approach: the road from the Sakaimatsu entrance to the forest closes, and the forest car park is not snow-cleared. The guide directs winter visitors to Kyororo’s parking area. Check local snow and access information before travelling rather than relying on the outside-winter walking approach.
Practical information
Highlights
Highlights: Bijinbayashi is a roughly three-hectare grove of slender beech trees in Matsunoyama, Tokamachi; the trees are approximately a century old.
Information as of .
History
History of the grove: The trees were cut around the end of the Taisho period and new beech trees grew together, creating the grove’s even-looking trunks.
Information as of .
Seasonal notes
Seasonal notes: The guide lists early May for fresh green leaves, early to mid-November for autumn foliage, and December–April for snowy scenery. These are indicative seasons and vary with conditions.
Information as of .
Access
From Matsudai Station the guide gives about 15 minutes by taxi, or a Matsunoyama Onsen-bound bus to Sakaimatsu followed by about 20 minutes walking outside winter. These are indicative durations, not verified exact departures or a round trip.
Information as of .
Closures and restrictions
The road from Sakaimatsu entrance to the forest closes in winter. The forest car park is not snow-cleared; the guide directs winter visitors to Kyororo’s parking area. Check local snow and access information before travel.
Information as of .
Closures and restrictions
Visitor conditions: The grove is private land. Avoid littering, damage to trees and disturbance to wildlife. Media, film, advertising and drone shoots require prior consultation and local permission; respectful personal photography is treated separately.
Information as of .
Useful links
Bijinbayashi official visitor guide
Explore more ideas in our Niigata travel guides.
Information based on checks dated 2026-10-11.