Uozu Buried Forest, Submerged forest discovery in Uozu, Japan.
The Uozu Buried Forest Museum displays ancient cedar roots and trunks preserved underwater beneath the Sea of Japan. The exhibition presents these old trees in water-filled tanks designed like an aquarium setting.
The site was discovered in 1930 during Uozu Port construction, when a forest emerged from the ground that had been buried between 1,500 and 2,000 years earlier. Sand and soil erosion had gradually covered this ancient woodland.
The local buildings reflect regional traditions, featuring elements like a Tatemon festival float design and a cedar tree structure that show how the community values its heritage.
The museum is best visited during daylight hours when light flows naturally through the windows, making the water tanks clearly visible. Free parking is available right outside the building, making it easy to arrive by car.
The submerged environment allowed a specialized ecology to flourish, with over 60 plant species and around 40 insect types thriving together. This unique community developed because of the cool water conditions that have persisted to this day.
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