The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is one of the largest and most impressive ginkgo trees in Japan. Located in Kitakanegasawa, Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, this enormous tree has long fascinated visitors with its extraordinary size, beautiful seasonal appearance, and deep connection with local religious traditions.
Locally known as the Great Ginkgo of Kitakanegasawa, the tree is designated as a Natural Monument of Japan and is one of the most important natural attractions in Fukaura.
Standing close to the Sea of Japan, the ancient tree creates a striking contrast with the surrounding landscape. Its enormous trunk, spreading branches, and distinctive aerial roots give it an almost otherworldly appearance.
The giant ginkgo stands in the Kitakanegasawa district in the northern part of Fukaura Town. It is located approximately 200 meters inland from the Sea of Japan, at the foot of a terrace-like slope.
This setting is particularly interesting because the tree has grown in a landscape shaped by both the sea and the mountains of northern Aomori. For generations, local people have protected the tree as both a natural treasure and a sacred site.
The tree is located at 356 Shiomigata, Kitakanegasawa, Fukaura Town, and is conveniently accessible on foot from Kitakanegasawa Station on the JR Gonō Line, which is about a 10-minute walk away.
The scale of the Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is extraordinary. It stands approximately 31 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of around 22 meters.
Some historical records give its height as approximately 40 meters, reflecting differences in measurement methods and sources. Whatever the exact figure, its enormous trunk and broad canopy make it one of the most remarkable ginkgo trees in Japan.
In a nationwide survey of giant trees conducted by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in 2001, the Kitakanegasawa tree was recognized as the largest ginkgo tree in Japan.
The age of the tree is difficult to determine precisely. Local tradition places its age at more than 1,000 years, while estimates associated with environmental surveys suggest an age of more than 300 years.
Although the exact age remains uncertain, there is no doubt that this tree has survived for centuries and witnessed enormous changes in the surrounding landscape and society.
Its powerful branches continue to spread outward, and the tree remains vigorous, retaining the distinctive shape and resilience for which ginkgo trees are famous.
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree has long been revered as a sacred tree.
One of its most remarkable features is the large number of aerial roots hanging down from its branches and trunk. These roots can resemble human breasts or stalactites, and this unusual appearance gave rise to a long-standing local belief.
According to tradition, touching the aerial roots was believed to improve a mother’s ability to produce breast milk and help children grow up healthy.
Because of this tradition, the tree became known as the “Tarachine Ginkgo”. The Japanese expression tarachine is associated with motherhood and the bond between mothers and children, giving the tree a particularly strong connection with maternal faith.
Until around the 1970s, women traveled not only from different parts of Aomori Prefecture but also from Hokkaido and Akita Prefecture to pray at the tree.
Visitors traditionally offered rice and sacred sake while making their wishes. These practices reflected people’s hopes for healthy children and the well-being of mothers and families.
For travelers from overseas, this story offers an interesting insight into the way nature, spirituality, motherhood, and local community traditions have been intertwined in Japanese culture.
The importance of the Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree has been formally recognized in modern times as well.
In July 2003, it was designated by Fukaura Town as one of the town’s important giant and ancient trees. The following year, in September 2004, it was designated a Natural Monument of Japan.
This designation recognizes the tree not simply as an unusually large specimen, but as a valuable part of the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
Today, conservation efforts continue, supported by the local community. Protecting the tree ensures that future generations will also be able to experience its enormous scale and the traditions surrounding it.
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is especially impressive during the autumn foliage season.
From approximately early to late November, the leaves gradually turn brilliant shades of yellow. When the entire canopy becomes golden, the enormous tree creates a breathtaking spectacle.
Fukaura Town celebrates this seasonal beauty with an evening illumination event known as “Big Yellow.”
After sunset, the enormous tree is illuminated against the dark sky. The golden leaves and massive trunk take on an almost magical appearance, creating a scene that is dramatically different from the daytime landscape.
During the day, visitors can appreciate the tree’s enormous size and natural beauty. At night, the illumination emphasizes its mysterious and almost sacred character.
For photographers and travelers interested in seasonal scenery, Big Yellow is one of the most memorable times to visit.
The ginkgo itself has an extraordinary biological history.
Ginkgo trees are deciduous gymnosperms and are often described as living descendants of ancient plants that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. Fossils of ginkgo-like plants have been discovered in many parts of the world.
Today, however, the ginkgo is the only surviving species in its family and genus, making it a unique survivor in the plant world.
Ginkgo trees are believed to have originated in China, including areas of present-day Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. They were later introduced to Japan, traditionally said to have arrived during the Muromachi period.
Ginkgo trees are now commonly found at Japanese temples and shrines, where their longevity and resilience have contributed to their symbolic importance.
The seeds, known in Japanese as ginnan, are also used as food. Roasted ginnan are a familiar autumn delicacy in Japan and are often served as a seasonal ingredient in traditional cuisine.
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree stands out even among these culturally significant trees because of its exceptional size, age, appearance, and long association with local religious beliefs.
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree can easily be incorporated into a wider journey through the scenic coastal areas of Fukaura and western Aomori.
The tree is approximately a 10-minute walk from Kitakanegasawa Station on the JR Gonō Line.
The JR Gonō Line is famous for its spectacular coastal scenery, and some visitors combine their visit with a ride on the popular Resort Shirakami sightseeing train.
Traveling by train provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy both the giant tree and the dramatic landscapes of the Sea of Japan coast.
Several other impressive old trees can also be found in the surrounding area.
Approximately one kilometer southeast of the Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo are other giant ginkgo trees known as the Oriso Ginkgo and Seki Ginkgo.
Nearby, visitors can also find the enormous Seki no Kame-sugi, a giant cedar traditionally estimated to be around 1,000 years old.
Visiting these trees together offers a fascinating way to explore the region’s natural heritage while also learning about the long-standing spiritual traditions associated with ancient trees in Japan.
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is far more than a giant tree. Its enormous size represents the power and longevity of nature, while the legends surrounding its aerial roots reveal the hopes and beliefs of generations of local people.
The tree has survived for centuries, through changes in climate, society, transportation, and everyday life. Today, it continues to stand quietly in the same landscape, connecting the present with a much older past.
Its golden foliage in autumn is particularly spectacular, but the tree is worth visiting at any time of year. Each season reveals a different aspect of its character, from fresh spring greenery to the deep colors of summer and the quiet atmosphere of winter.
For travelers exploring western Aomori, the Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree offers a unique opportunity to experience the meeting point of nature, history, and Japanese spiritual culture.
When visiting Fukaura, take the time to stand beneath this remarkable giant and look up at its enormous branches. The experience offers a powerful reminder of just how long a single living tree can remain part of a community’s history.