Planting of trees in Yoshino began more than 300 years ago.
Yoshino has long been known throughout Japan as a prime timber production area. From the 15th to 17th centuries, Yoshino wood was used to build the famous temples and shrines, as well as the castles of the authorities of the time, such as Osaka, Nagoya and Fushimi castles.
Yoshino wood is also used in Katsura Rikyu, a villa of the royal family in Kyoto. The German architect Bruno Taut hailed Katsura Rikyu as the “global miracle”. From 300 years ago to the present, the Yoshino Forestry Zone has been managed and maintained by many people as Japan’s premier timber production area.
