Innoshō Yakata Site (Kojima Takanori Legend Site): Where a Single Cherry Tree Carried the Hopes of an Emperor
Tucked away in the quiet countryside of northern Okayama, the Innoshō Yakata Site (院庄館跡) is one of Japan's most evocative historic places. Designated a National Historic Site in 1922, this peaceful tract of land in Tsuyama City was once the fortified residence of the military governor of Mimasaka Province. More importantly, it became the stage for one of the most dramatic episodes in medieval Japanese literature — the moment when a young samurai named Kojima Takanori carved a coded message of loyalty into the bark of a cherry tree to comfort his exiled emperor. Today, visitors who walk the grounds, now home to Sakura Shrine, encounter a place where landscape, history, and legend intertwine.
Historical Background: An Emperor on the Road to Exile
In the spring of 1332, Japan was caught in the turmoil of the Genkō Incident — Emperor Go-Daigo's failed attempt to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate and restore direct imperial rule. Captured by the forces of Hōjō Takatoki, the emperor was sentenced to exile on the remote islands of Oki, far across the Sea of Japan. The procession escorting him westward passed through the province of Mimasaka, where it stopped for three nights and four days at the residence of the local military governor at Innoshō.
According to the medieval war chronicle Taiheiki, a Bizen Province samurai named Kojima Takanori had been planning to ambush the procession and rescue the emperor. When the rescue proved impossible due to the heavy guard, Takanori chose another way to express his unwavering loyalty. Slipping past the sentries by night, he stole into the garden of the residence and carved a ten-character poem into the trunk of a single cherry tree.
The Ten-Character Poem
The verse he carved read: "天莫空勾践 時非無范蠡" — "Heaven, do not abandon King Goujian; the times are not without a Fan Li." It was a coded reference to Chinese antiquity, comparing Emperor Go-Daigo to King Goujian of Yue, who had once been defeated and humiliated but eventually restored his kingdom with the help of his loyal minister Fan Li. The hidden message was clear: take heart, my lord — you too will be restored, and there are still loyal retainers like myself who will fight for you. The story, real or embellished, became one of the most cherished tales of samurai loyalty in Japanese literature.
From Forgotten Ruin to National Heritage
For centuries after the Genkō Incident, the site of the residence remained largely overlooked. The Mimasaka governorship later passed through the hands of the Yamana, Akamatsu, Amago, Mōri, and Ukita clans, all of whom waged battles around the nearby Kamae Castle. When Mori Tadamasa entered Mimasaka in 1603, he initially considered restoring the Innoshō stronghold but ultimately chose to build the new Tsuyama Castle further east, leaving Innoshō to fade into history.
It was Nagao Katsuaki, a senior retainer of the Mori clan, who in 1688 (Jōkyō 5) determined to preserve the site. He planted cherry trees in honor of Takanori's legend and erected a stone monument, ensuring that the memory of the place would not be lost. After the Meiji Restoration, Sakura Shrine (作楽神社) was established on these very grounds, enshrining Emperor Go-Daigo and Kojima Takanori. In 1922, the site was designated a National Historic Site under the official name "Innoshō Yakata Site (Kojima Takanori Legend Site)."
Why This Site Matters
The Innoshō Yakata Site is valued on several levels. Archaeologically, it preserves the layout of a medieval shugo residence — a fortified administrative compound that served as the regional center of provincial government during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. Visible earthen mounds and traces of moat-like depressions on the grounds give a sense of the original defensive layout.
Culturally, however, the site carries a far heavier weight. The story of Kojima Takanori was elevated during the Meiji and pre-war periods into one of the canonical examples of bushidō — the samurai ethic of selfless loyalty — and it was widely taught in Japanese schools through poems, songs, and textbooks. The cherry-tree poem became a national symbol of devotion to the imperial throne. Even today, the site offers a window into how Japan has remembered, reinterpreted, and ritualized its own past.
Highlights for Visitors
Sakura Shrine
The shrine that stands on the grounds today, Sakura Shrine, was founded in the early Meiji era and is dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo and Kojima Takanori. The quiet precincts, with their sweeping cedar trees and traditional architecture, create a contemplative atmosphere that feels suited to the loyalist legend the place commemorates.
The Cherry Tree and Stone Monument
A cherry tree in the grounds is pointed out as a successor to the legendary tree of 1332, and the stone monument erected by Nagao Katsuaki in 1688 still stands. In spring, the cherries bloom abundantly, transforming the site into one of the most atmospheric sakura-viewing spots in the Mimasaka region.
The Statue of Kojima Takanori
A bronze statue of Kojima Takanori, depicted carving the poem into the cherry tree, has been erected on the precincts. It is a striking visual rendering of the legendary scene and a popular spot for photography.
Earthen Embankments
Sections of low earthen embankments — once the burned outer walls of the medieval shugo compound — are still discernible on the perimeter of the site, offering a tangible link to its origins as a working medieval residence.
Around the Site: Exploring Tsuyama and Mimasaka
The Innoshō area lies just minutes from the Innoshō Interchange of the Chūgoku Expressway, making it an easy stop on a wider tour of northern Okayama. Tsuyama City itself, about 20 minutes east by car, is famous for Tsuyama Castle Ruins (Kakuzan Park), one of Japan's top one hundred cherry blossom destinations. Other nearby attractions include Nakayama Shrine, the first-ranked shrine of Mimasaka, and the historic preservation district of Jōtō, lined with merchant townhouses from the Edo period. For nature lovers, the Yoshii River and the surrounding mountains offer scenic walks and seasonal landscapes throughout the year.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Insho Castle Ruins (the Legendary Site of Kojima Takanori)
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- Who was Kojima Takanori?
- Kojima Takanori was a samurai from Bizen Province (modern Okayama) who appears prominently in the medieval war chronicle Taiheiki. He is celebrated as a symbol of loyalty for his attempt to rescue Emperor Go-Daigo on the way to exile in 1332 and for the famous ten-character poem he carved into a cherry tree at Innoshō.
- Is the cherry tree on the site the original one from 1332?
- No. The original cherry tree is long gone. The current cherries are descendants and replantings, the earliest of which were planted by Mori clan retainer Nagao Katsuaki in 1688 to commemorate the legend.
- What does "Sakura Shrine" enshrine?
- Sakura Shrine, founded in the early Meiji period on the grounds, is dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo and to Kojima Takanori himself, honored for his loyalty.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Early April, when the cherry trees are in bloom, is the most atmospheric time, allowing visitors to connect with the legend in a particularly vivid way. Autumn, with its clear skies and colored maples, is also beautiful.
- How do I get there from Tsuyama Station?
- From JR Tsuyama Station, take the West Loop Line bus for about 20 minutes, get off at "Marunaka Innoshō," and walk approximately 10 minutes. By car, the site is about five minutes from the Innoshō Interchange of the Chūgoku Expressway.
Basic Information
| Name | Innoshō Yakata Site (Kojima Takanori Legend Site) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Historic Site (designated 8 March 1922) |
| Location | Kobe 433, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture 708-0015 |
| Managing Body | Tsuyama City |
| Historical Period | Kamakura period (Genkō 2 / 1332 episode); commemorative monument planted in 1688 |
| On-site Shrine | Sakura Shrine (enshrining Emperor Go-Daigo and Kojima Takanori) |
| Access by Car | Approx. 5 minutes from Innoshō Interchange, Chūgoku Expressway |
| Access by Public Transport | Approx. 20 minutes by West Loop Line bus from JR Tsuyama Station, then 10-minute walk from "Marunaka Innoshō" stop |
| Parking | Available |
| Inquiries | Tsuyama City Cultural Affairs Section (Tel: 0868-24-8413) |
References
- Innoshō Yakata Site (Kojima Takanori Legend Site) — Cultural Heritage Online (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/202526
- National Designated Cultural Property Database (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/2244
- Innoshō Yakata Site (Kojima Takanori Legend Site) — Okayama Tourism Web (Official)
- https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/spot/10466
- Tsuyama City — National Designated Cultural Properties
- https://www.city.tsuyama.lg.jp/article?articleId=674971fd2f6d4a56ef18d102
- Innoshō Area — Tsuyama Kawaraban
- https://www.e-tsuyama.com/report/2011/04/post-152.html
Last verified: 2026.05.07