The forest enshrines Kannabi (also called Kamunabi), a kami (spirit or god) of Koshinto (literally 'old Shinto,' as practiced prior to the introduction of Confucianism and Buddhism), and so is also known as Kamishiro (literally 'ancient times').
古神道における神奈備（かむなび・かんなび）という神が鎮座する森のことで神代・上代（かみしろ）ともいう。