The Haramachi Great Zelkova Tree stands in Haramachi, Higashiagatsuma Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture. Estimated to be around 1,000 years old, this enormous zelkova is one of the area’s most remarkable natural landmarks.
The tree stands in the center of the Tsukinoki three-way intersection, where Gunma Prefectural Roads 35 and 58 meet. Despite its location at a major road junction, the ancient tree has put down deep roots and continues to dominate the surrounding landscape. It has long been regarded as a symbol of the town.
On April 13, 1933, the Haramachi Great Zelkova was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan in recognition of its historical, scientific, and natural value. Protected and cherished by local residents for generations, the tree is more than simply a remarkable plant—it can be regarded as a living cultural heritage that has survived alongside the community.
The great tree was once known as Tsukinoki, a name that is believed to have influenced the local place name. In 1932, botanist Manabu Miyoshi examined the tree and confirmed that it was a zelkova. His survey also recorded its extraordinary size.
At that time, the circumference of the trunk at its base measured approximately 16.89 meters, while the circumference at a height of 1.5 meters was about 10.97 meters. Its enormous branches also spread widely in every direction, with one extending approximately 22 meters toward the northeast.
Because of its remarkable scale, Miyoshi regarded the tree as one of the “Three Great Zelkovas of Japan,” together with the Great Zelkova of Higashine and the Great Zelkova of Mie.
Over the decades, however, environmental changes and the natural aging process have caused the tree to lose many of its branches. The interior of the trunk has also become hollow. Even so, new roots have developed inside the hollow trunk, allowing the ancient tree to continue sustaining its life.
Today, the tree stands approximately 17 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of about 9.10 meters. Its continued survival after roughly a millennium offers a striking reminder of the strength and mystery of nature.
The Haramachi Great Zelkova is also closely connected with the history of the local community. According to tradition, in 1614, Iriura Morikiyo, the castellan of Iwabitsu Castle, carried out the town planning of Haramachi under the orders of Sanada Nobuyuki.
It is said that he established a straight line connecting the Meoto-iwa rocks behind Iwabitsu Castle with the great zelkova, and used this line as a reference when laying out the streets of the town.
This means that the tree is believed to have served as one of the reference points for the creation of Haramachi itself. Since then, it has silently watched over the development of the town. The tree was also revered as a protector against the kimon, the traditionally feared northeast direction, and came to be respected almost as a guardian deity of the community.
The ancient tree is associated with several fascinating local legends. In 1868, it is said that the tree was scheduled to be cut down for the construction of a prefectural government building. However, when a saw was put into the trunk, workers discovered that the interior was hollow.
According to the story, a mysterious red liquid resembling blood began flowing from the cut. Frightened by what they saw, the people abandoned the plan to cut down the tree.
Another story tells of a large dead branch that was removed in the early Showa period. When its growth rings were counted, they were said to number more than 800 years. Such stories illustrate how deeply the great zelkova was connected with the spiritual and cultural life of the local community.
Because the tree stands in the middle of a three-way intersection, its growing conditions are particularly challenging. From around 1965, signs of declining vitality became increasingly noticeable. Surrounded by roads, the tree does not have an ideal environment in which to grow, yet local conservation efforts have helped protect it to this day.
A second-generation tree has also been cultivated using cloning technology. It is now growing at the Higashiagatsuma Town Sports Ground, formerly known as the Agatsuma Town General Sports Ground. This initiative represents an effort to carry the legacy of the thousand-year-old tree into the future.
The Haramachi Great Zelkova is impressive not only because of its enormous size and great age, but also because of its setting within the historic townscape. Its location at an important road junction makes it relatively easy to visit, and it is a worthwhile stop for travelers exploring Higashiagatsuma Town.
The tree brings together history, local legends, and the enduring power of nature. Its appearance changes with the seasons: fresh new leaves in spring, deep green foliage in summer, golden leaves in autumn, and a quiet, dignified silhouette in winter.
Visiting in different seasons offers an opportunity to appreciate the tree from different perspectives while reflecting on the immense passage of time it represents.
The Haramachi Great Zelkova is a source of pride for Higashiagatsuma Town and a valuable part of Japan’s natural heritage. Standing before this ancient giant, visitors can experience a powerful sense of the connection between nature, history, and the people who have protected it for generations.