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Kanji for Forest
The kanji most commonly used for "Forest" are 森、林.
森
Kanji that mean Forest
森 and 林 are built from the same element, 木, tree. 林 is two trees and 森 is three, and the difference in the writing matches the difference in meaning. 林 is a grove or a wood — a stand of trees, often planted and often worked, which is why it gives 林業 (forestry) and 山林 (hills and woodland).
森 is the deeper, wilder thing: forest as a mass of trees you can be inside. The compound 森林 uses both characters and is the technical term, as in 森林浴, spending time among trees for one’s health. 森 also carries an association with the groves around shrines.
For a single character meaning forest, 森 is the one. Be aware that both are extremely common Japanese surnames — 森 is Mori and 林 is Hayashi — so either can be read as a family name on sight.
Before you use Forest kanji
森 is the right single character for forest and is instantly readable, though Japanese readers will also see the surname Mori. 林 alone reads as a wood or plantation, or as the surname Hayashi, and suggests something smaller and more managed than a forest.