It is said that cherry blossom viewing activities have been popular among Japanese nobles since the 7th century, and became a traditional folk custom in the Edo period (1603-1867).
Cherry blossoms are a symbol of the Japanese spirit. The Japanese cherish the splendor of cherry blossoms in bloom, and appreciate the indifference and calmness when they wither. Cherry blossoms are also endowed with the connotation of hope of rebirth by the Japanese.
On March 11, 2011, a large earthquake struck northeastern Japan, followed by a huge tsunami and aftershocks. After the disaster, the devastated cities, towns and villages planted cherry trees, a favorite of the Japanese, on the slopes of the tsunami’s arrival point as a symbol of remembrance of the deceased and of reconstruction and revival. It is said that these cherry trees began to bloom one month after the disaster.
The most famous ancient cherry tree in Japan is the Jindai cherry tree! Jindai Sakura (じんだいざくら) located in Shisho Temple, Kita City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, is about 2000 years old, about 10.3 meters high, and about 11.8 meters in circumference. This Japan’s oldest Yamagao Kamdaizakura is one of Japan’s three most famous cherry trees, along with “Danmozakura” in Honchao City, Gifu Prefecture and “Miharu Takizakura” in Miharu Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
The tree species of Yamagao Jindaizakura is Edo Heganzakura, which is a relatively rare and very long-lived wild cherry tree species. Longevity and weeping are the characteristics of this species. Before the epidemic, many tourists came here to enjoy the flowers in spring every year.
One of the oldest and largest giant trees in Japan, it was the first nationally designated natural monument in the Taisho era. In 1990, it was selected as one of “Japan’s New Hundred Famous Trees”.
Years ago, a snowstorm knocked down one of its larger branches, and more than 1,000 growth rings were counted from the fault of the branch. Then, more than 50 years ago, a bolt of lightning struck the tree, hollowing out the center of the trunk, giving it the vicissitudes of life it is today.
The descendants of Sakura Kanda were not only sent to Japan and other parts of the world to take root and bloom, but the seeds of the tree were also brought to the International Space Station by Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata from NASA in the United States.
The cherry blossom seeds were collected by children at the local Zhuchuan Elementary School and brought back to be planted after being in zero gravity for about eight months.
After all the 118 seeds that were brought up were planted, two seeds sprouted, and one of them was near Jindai Sakura in Shishoji Temple. Since 2016, this famous space cherry has been open to the public.
Unusually, the usual sakura are 5 petals, but six petals were found in some space sakura in Kashiro.
Flowering period: early April (blooming period is about 1 week to 10 days)
Address: 2763 Yamanaka, Wuchuan-machi, Kitato City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Traffic Guide:
By car: About 15 minutes by car from Suyu IC, about 30 minutes by car from Kobuchizawa IC
JR: Get off at JR Hiinoharu Station and take a taxi for about 15 minutes
By bus: About 25 minutes by bus from JR Nirasaki Station to “Shimokyo Leishi”, get off at “Makinohara”, and walk for 30 minutes