Sugi no Osugi, a 3000 Year Old Giant Cedar in Otoyo, Kochi

Rising in the grounds of Yasaka Shrine in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, the giant cedar known as Sugi no Osugi is one of the foremost giant trees in Japan, said to be over three thousand years old. Because it divides into two from the base, the trunks are called the South Great Cedar and the North Great Cedar, and as a pair standing in a shrine precinct it is regarded as the largest in Japan. Designated a special natural monument, its imposing form overwhelms all who see it. A legend even remains that the deity Susanoo planted it, making this a sacred tree brimming with life.

Highlights

• The overwhelming presence of a giant tree said to be over three thousand years old
• The majestic form of the South and North Great Cedars splitting from the base
• The South cedar measures about twenty meters around the base and about sixty meters tall, and the North cedar about sixteen and a half meters around the base and about fifty-seven meters tall
• A precious treasure of nature, designated a special natural monument of Japan
• Known as a place the young singer Misora Hibari visited to pray for her dream of singing, with a song monument standing in the precinct

Enjoying the Seasons

In the fresh greenery season the surrounding trees come alive too, making the cedar vitality stand out all the more. Summer brings cool shade, and autumn offers a splendid contrast with the colored leaves nearby. Looking up at the giant tree amid the changing seasons in the quiet precinct is a special experience.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Sugi, Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, within Yasaka Shrine
• About eight hundred meters on foot (a walk of around ten-plus minutes) from Osugi Station on the JR Dosan Line, or a few minutes by car
• For protection, an admission fee (about two hundred yen per adult) is required for viewing
• Parking available

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: it is impressive year-round, but the fresh greenery season and the autumn leaf season feel especially beautiful. Mornings, when there are fewer people, let you face the giant tree in quiet.
• Time needed: about thirty minutes to look up unhurriedly at the two great cedars and walk the precinct; an hour is plenty even while taking photos.
• Avoiding crowds: this is a quiet mountain shrine, and as long as you avoid tour groups you can spend a relaxed visit.
• Nearby spots: the same Otoyo Town is home to Ryuo no Taki, one of the hundred famous waterfalls of Japan, an easy pairing for a driving trip.
• Budget feel: the admission is about two hundred yen for an adult, with transport being the other main cost.

A Quick Tip

Looking up at the giant tree, its size may draw a gasp from you. To avoid harming the roots, view it quietly from the designated paths. This is also where the young Misora Hibari prayed for her dream of becoming a singer, so visit the song monument in the precinct as well. After rain the footing can be slippery, so take care.

📚 Sources

For the Sugi-no-Osugi towering in the precinct of Yasaka Shrine in Otoyo Town, the guidance published by the Otoyo Town tourism association and the on-site signboards are the reliable references. Its designation as a national special natural monument can also be confirmed through public cultural-property information. The estimated age and the anecdote that a young Hibari Misora worshipped here can be learned from local historical materials and the song monument in the precinct. Admission and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Time needed: About 30 minutes to look up at the two great cedars and tour the precinct; an hour is plenty even while taking photos.
• What to prepare: For protection, viewing requires admission (200 yen per adult), so bring coins. After rain the footing is slippery, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Suggested route: Look up at the South and North great cedars split from the root, and visit the Hibari Misora song monument in the precinct as well.
• Viewing manners: To avoid harming the roots, view quietly from the designated paths.
• Pair your visit: It is an easy driving distance to pair with Ryuo no Taki in the same Otoyo Town.