noun
General term for a forest or wooded area, larger than a grove but smaller than a vast wilderness.
森の中を散歩するのが好きです。
I like taking walks in the forest.
この森には古い木がたくさんある。
There are many old trees in this forest.
noun
shrine grove; sacred grove
Only when written 杜
Refers to a wooded area surrounding a Shinto shrine, often considered sacred. The kanji 杜 is especially associated with this meaning.
See also: 鎮守の杜
鎮守の杜は地域の人々に大切にされている。
The shrine grove is cherished by the local people.
The word もり is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 森 depicts three trees, symbolizing a dense forest. 杜 is often used for shrine groves and may carry a sacred nuance.