Along a railway stretching north through rural Hida, a grove of cherry blossoms sits. These trees are not your ordinary bunch. They are called “Garyu-zakura,” literally meaning “Reclining Dragon Cherry Blossoms” and are ancient, at over 1100 years old. They reside on the grounds of Daitouji Temple, which sits in an idyllic rural area just south of Takayama City. Coming in at a staggering width of 30m (98ft), and height of 20m (65ft), it comes as no surprise these giants have been designated as a National Treasure. Visitors can witness the beauty of these titans, which are said to resemble a large dragon lying on the ground.
These beautiful trees are easy to get to. They’re only a stone’s throw from Hida Ichinomiya Station on the Takayama Main Line. In fact, you can see these trees from right inside the train car. Visiting would make a great pitstop while making your way north to Takayama. These old cherry blossoms are best viewed when at full bloom, in mid-to-late April.
- Nature & Activities
- Spring
Basic Information
| Date | Full bloom mid-to-late April |
|---|---|
| Venue | Takayama City, Ichinomiya-machi, Gifu |
| Access | >1 minute walk from JR Hida Ichinomiya Station (Takayama Main Line) |
| Telephone Number | 0577-53-2149 |
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