Introduction to Kasugayama Primeval Forest: Kasugayama is the common name for the 497-meter-high Hanayama Mountain to the east of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and the 283-meter-high Mikasa Mountain to the west. Kasugayama is connected to Mount Wakakusa to the north, and its western slope area has been closely protected since logging of the shrine grass that serves as Kasuga Taisha Shrine was banned in 841 AD. After long-term mountain closure and forest protection, the forest has completely returned to its original state, and there are many ancient trees that are more than a thousand years old.