Kinomiya no Okusu (The Great Camphor Tree of Kinomiya Shrine)

Overview

Standing behind the main hall (honden) of Kinomiya Shrine, this sacred tree (goshinboku) has an estimated age of over 2,100 years, a height of approximately 26 meters, and a trunk circumference of about 24 meters. It is the largest tree on Honshu and was designated as a National Natural Monument in 1933 CE (Showa 8). It attracts worshippers from all over the country as a lucky tree, with legends stating that 'walking around it once extends your life' and 'walking around it while keeping a wish in your heart will grant that wish.' Near the shrine entrance, the 'Second Great Camphor Tree,' which escaped being cut down during the Ansei era, also remains. The enshrined deities (kami) are Yamato Takeru, Isumorome no Mikoto, and Ohmikami.

Highlights

• ・The largest tree on Honshu (over 2,100 years old)
• ・Sacred tree (goshinboku) that 'extends your life if you walk around it once'
• ・National Natural Monument
• ・The Second Great Camphor Tree also remains