The Five Cedars of Senkō-ji Temple: Ancient Giants Standing Guard Over a Mountain Sanctuary
Hidden along the pilgrimage path of a 1,600-year-old mountain temple in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture stands one of Japan's most extraordinary natural wonders—the Five Cedars of Senkō-ji Temple (Senkōji no Gohon-sugi). Reaching nearly fifty meters into the mountain sky and bound at the base by a single mighty trunk that splits into five soaring stems, this living monument has watched over generations of pilgrims for more than a millennium. Designated as a National Natural Monument by the Japanese government in 1929, the tree embodies both the spiritual gravity of the mountain temple it accompanies and the awe-inspiring resilience of the natural world.
For visitors traveling from abroad, the Five Cedars offer a rare encounter with a tree that is at once botanical marvel, sacred presence, and historical witness. Set against the misty slopes of Mount Kesa-zan, the cedars reward those who venture beyond the well-trodden tourist routes of central Hida-Takayama with a moment of profound stillness.
A Living Witness to More Than a Thousand Years
The Five Cedars stand on a sloping section of the approach path that leads up to Senkō-ji Temple, a Shingon Buddhist sanctuary perched roughly 900 meters above sea level on Mount Kesa-zan. The tree is estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,500 years old, meaning it would have already been a sapling—or perhaps even a young tree—when the temple was first established as a Buddhist institution by Shinnyo Shinnō, one of the ten great disciples of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), in the mid-ninth century.
What makes the cedar so visually striking is its remarkable form. From a single massive root system, the trunk rises as one column for about six meters before separating into five distinct trunks, each growing upward in nearly perfect verticality. This gave the tree its evocative name—Gohon-sugi, literally "Five-Trunk Cedar." Local tradition holds that the unusual configuration is a sign of the tree's sacred nature, and pilgrims have long offered prayers at its base.
Designation as a National Natural Monument
On April 2, 1929 (Shōwa 4), the Japanese government designated the Five Cedars of Senkō-ji as a National Natural Monument. The original designation report, recorded in the official Natural Monument Survey Report (Plant Section), noted the trunk circumference at approximately 11 meters (three jō and seven shaku in traditional measurement) and praised the tree as one of the most distinguished giant cedars in the country. Today, the trunk circumference is recorded at approximately 12 meters and the height at around 47 meters, placing it among the tallest and most massive cedars in Japan's central mountain region.
The Sacred Mountain and the Temple of Light
To understand the Five Cedars, it helps to know the temple they accompany. Senkō-ji, also called Hida-Senkō-ji, is a temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. Its origins reach back roughly 1,600 years, when, according to local legend, the Hida chieftain Ryōmen Sukuna established a place of prayer on the mountain. Around 1,200 years ago, the imperial prince and Buddhist scholar Shinnyo Shinnō formally founded it as an esoteric Buddhist sanctuary, transforming the mountain into a center of training and meditation that earned the nickname "the Kōyasan of Hida."
The temple endured destruction by warfare during the Sengoku period—most notably when forces under the warlord Takeda Shingen swept through Hida in 1564—and was rebuilt at the end of the sixteenth century by Kanamori Nagachika, the first lord of Takayama Castle. Through these centuries of ruin and rebirth, the Five Cedars endured, an unbroken thread connecting today's visitors with the temple's most ancient origins.
The Cedar and the Wandering Sculptor Enkū
Senkō-ji is also famous as a temple of Enkū-butsu—Buddhist statues carved by the wandering monk-sculptor Enkū, who is said to have produced 120,000 wooden images during his lifetime. Around 1685, Enkū stayed at Senkō-ji and carved many statues here, including a celebrated seated image of Ryōmen Sukuna. The temple's treasure hall, Enkū-butsu Jihōkan, displays sixty-four of these works. Visitors who pause beneath the Five Cedars before continuing up to the temple often remark that the silence among the giant trunks prepares the mind for the encounter with Enkū's spirited carvings above.
Highlights and What to Look For
Approaching the Five Cedars feels like stepping into a natural cathedral. The path winds through a forested slope, and a small parking area marks the descent toward the tree. Visitors then walk down a gentle path lined with stone shrines representing the thirty-three Saigoku and eighty-eight Shikoku pilgrimage sites in miniature—an inviting prelude that mirrors the spiritual journey of the temple complex above.
Once the cedars come into view, several details reward closer attention:
- The unified base where five separate trunks emerge from a common root—best appreciated by walking around the tree to view it from multiple angles.
- The shimenawa, a sacred straw rope wrapped around the tree, marking it as a sanctified presence in the Shintō-Buddhist landscape of the mountain.
- The stone monument and explanatory panel near the tree, which records the preservation work carried out in 1971 after the Ise Bay Typhoon of 1959 weakened the cedar's vigor.
- The neighboring tall cedars on the slope, which create a dramatic vertical landscape and emphasize the scale of the Five Cedars themselves.
The Best Times to Visit
The Five Cedars can be visited throughout the year, but each season brings a distinct atmosphere. Late spring and early summer offer fresh green canopies and pleasant mountain temperatures. Autumn, when surrounding maples turn crimson, contrasts beautifully with the deep evergreen of the cedars. In winter, snow drapes the trunks and the silence of the mountain becomes almost absolute—though the access road may be impassable depending on conditions, so checking ahead is recommended. Early-morning visits are particularly atmospheric, as mist often clings to the slopes of Mount Kesa-zan.
Around the Five Cedars: Things to Explore Nearby
The Five Cedars sit a short walk from the main precincts of Senkō-ji, and a visit naturally combines both. After viewing the tree, continue up the slope to the temple's main hall, the Enkū-butsu treasure hall, the Sukuna-dō (a small hall enshrining a stone image of Ryōmen Sukuna), and the temple's atmospheric old kitchen with its open hearth. From a viewing area near the temple, on clear days, visitors can see Mount Ontake rising in the distance—and on misty mornings, the famed "sea of clouds" of Senkō-ji.
Beyond the temple, the surrounding Nyukawa-chō district preserves the rural character of old Hida. The town of Hida-Takayama, with its renowned Edo-period merchant streets and morning markets, lies about a thirty-minute drive away. Travelers heading north can continue toward Hirayu Onsen and the gateway to the Northern Japanese Alps, making Senkō-ji a worthwhile detour on a longer Hida itinerary.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Gifu
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near The Five Cedar Trees of Senkoji Temple
- [ Shirakawago & Takayama Old Town Tours ]
Q&A
- How old are the Five Cedars of Senkō-ji?
- The tree is estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,500 years old. While the precise age cannot be measured without harming the tree, this range is consistent with its size and growth patterns and aligns with the temple's earliest Buddhist history.
- Why is the tree called the "Five Cedars" if it is one tree?
- A single root system supports a trunk that divides into five separate stems at about six meters above the ground. Each of the five stems grows almost perfectly straight upward, giving the appearance of five cedars rising from one base. This unusual structure inspired the name Gohon-sugi.
- How do I reach Senkō-ji and the Five Cedars from Takayama?
- From JR Takayama Station, the temple is about a 25-minute drive by car or taxi. Public buses do not run directly to Senkō-ji, so a rental car or taxi is the most practical option. The mountain road is narrow in places, so careful driving is advised.
- Is there an admission fee for viewing the Five Cedars?
- There is no admission fee to view the Five Cedars themselves, as they stand along the public approach path. The temple's Enkū-butsu treasure hall, however, charges a separate entry fee and is generally open from April to November.
- Can the cedars be visited in winter?
- The cedars themselves can be viewed year-round, but heavy snowfall in winter can make the access road difficult or impassable. Visitors planning a winter trip should check road conditions in advance and carry appropriate equipment such as snow tires.
Basic Information
| Name | Senkōji no Gohon-sugi (The Five Cedars of Senkō-ji Temple) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Natural Monument (designated April 2, 1929) |
| Location | 1553 Shimobo, Nyukawa-chō, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture 506-2135 |
| Estimated Age | Approximately 1,200 to 1,500 years |
| Tree Height | Approximately 47 meters |
| Trunk Circumference | Approximately 12 meters |
| Managing Body | Takayama City |
| Associated Temple | Kesa-zan Senkō-ji (Kōyasan Shingon school) |
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station |
| Admission | Free for the cedars; separate fee for the temple's treasure hall |
References
- Cultural Heritage Online (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Senkōji no Gohon-sugi
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/161268
- Gifu Prefecture Cultural Heritage Information — Senkōji no Gohon-sugi
- https://www.pref.gifu.lg.jp/page/366574.html
- Hida Senkō-ji Official Website — About the Temple
- https://senkouji.com/about/
- Hida Senkō-ji Official Website — Hall and Building Guide
- https://senkouji.com/haikan/
- Gifu Prefecture Tourism Federation — Senkō-ji
- https://www.kankou-gifu.jp/spot/detail_1233.html
- National Designated Cultural Properties Database (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/401/1253
Last verified: 2026.05.05