A Spectacular Golden Display in Autumn
The Great Ginkgo Tree of Fukusada is usually at its most beautiful from late October through mid- to late November. In recent years, changing weather conditions have sometimes caused the autumn colors to arrive slightly later, but when the leaves reach their peak, the grounds of Hosenji Temple are transformed into a magnificent sea of gold.
There are few tall buildings around the temple, allowing the huge ginkgo to stand out dramatically against the peaceful scenery of the mountain village. Travelers driving along National Route 311 toward Hongu may suddenly notice a large golden tree rising above the surrounding landscape.
Its rounded crown appears almost like a gigantic natural lantern shining between the mountains. For first-time visitors, the sight can be so striking that it is difficult not to stop and admire it.
A Landmark Visible from the Road
Signs along National Route 311 guide visitors toward the tree, and designated viewpoints provide beautiful views of the Great Ginkgo. During the autumn season, the contrast between its golden foliage, the surrounding green vegetation, and the mountains makes the tree particularly photogenic.
For hikers traveling along the Kumano Kodo, the ginkgo offers a memorable moment of discovery. After walking through the historic pilgrimage landscape, encountering this enormous golden tree in a quiet mountain village can provide a welcome sense of peace and refreshment.
Why Is It Called the “Thousand-Branch Ginkgo”?
The Great Ginkgo of Fukusada has an unusual form that distinguishes it from many other ginkgo trees. Ginkgo trees typically develop a single large trunk that rises toward the sky, but this tree branches into numerous major limbs at approximately 4 to 6 meters above the ground.
From these branches, countless smaller limbs spread outward and upward, giving the tree the appearance of having thousands of branches. This distinctive form is the reason it has become known locally as the “Senbon Ginkgo.”
The tree is also believed to have suffered severe damage during its long life, including the loss of its original main trunk. Rather than dying, however, it responded by sending out new branches and continued to grow.
The enormous tree seen today is therefore a remarkable testament to its resilience and ability to regenerate. The places where the many branches emerge from the old trunk provide visible evidence of the challenges the tree has survived over the centuries.
A Different Beauty in Winter
The Great Ginkgo is famous for its brilliant autumn colors, but it also has a fascinating beauty during winter after the leaves have fallen. Without its foliage, the complicated network of branches becomes much easier to see.
This bare form reveals the extraordinary structure of the tree and allows visitors to appreciate its long history and remarkable vitality in a different way.
Over the years, fallen leaves and organic material have accumulated in hollows and scars on the trunk, where small plants have sometimes taken root. These tiny ecosystems are a reminder that the ancient tree has lived in close connection with the surrounding natural environment for generations.
The Peaceful Atmosphere of Hosenji Temple
The Great Ginkgo stands within the grounds of Hosenji Temple, a quiet Buddhist temple surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the mountain village.
Unlike busy urban tourist attractions, the temple has a calm and understated atmosphere where nature, history, and religious tradition exist side by side. The enormous ginkgo blends beautifully into this setting, creating a landscape that feels both powerful and serene.
In autumn, fallen leaves cover the temple grounds like a golden carpet. The sight of the enormous tree standing above this carpet of yellow leaves is one of the most memorable scenes of the season.
Listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze while breathing in the quiet mountain air can be a wonderfully relaxing experience. Visitors are encouraged to take their time, walk around the grounds, and appreciate the tree from different viewpoints rather than simply stopping for a photograph.
A Scenic Stop Along the Kumano Kodo
Nakahechi is internationally known as one of the areas associated with the Kumano Kodo, the network of ancient pilgrimage routes through the Kii Peninsula. The routes connect sacred destinations including the Kumano Sanzan, the three major shrines of Kumano.
The Great Ginkgo Tree of Fukusada is particularly attractive during an autumn journey through this historic landscape. The combination of the ancient pilgrimage roads, traditional mountain villages, and brilliant golden foliage creates a quintessentially Japanese atmosphere.
Walking through the mountains and encountering a centuries-old tree along the way offers a different kind of sightseeing experience—one in which the landscape itself becomes part of the journey.
For international visitors, the tree also provides a chance to experience the quieter side of Kumano. Rather than focusing only on famous temples and shrines, travelers can slow down and appreciate the natural scenery and local heritage that surround the pilgrimage routes.
Access Information
Location
275 Fukusada, Nakahechi-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
By Car
From the Nanki-Tanabe Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway and Kisei Expressway, it takes approximately 40 minutes by car. Follow National Route 311 toward Hongu. During autumn, the Great Ginkgo can be spotted from the road as you approach the area.
By Public Transportation
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a Ryujin Bus and get off at the Ujiyamabashi bus stop. Hosenji Temple and the Great Ginkgo are approximately a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
A Living Monument to Four Centuries of History
The Great Ginkgo Tree of Fukusada is much more than an autumn foliage attraction. Having survived for approximately four centuries, the tree has endured damage and continued to regenerate, developing into the magnificent form visitors see today.
In autumn, it becomes a brilliant golden landmark. In winter, its intricate branches reveal another side of its character. Each season allows visitors to appreciate a different aspect of this remarkable living monument.
Its location at Hosenji Temple also gives the experience a sense of tranquility. Here, visitors can pause beneath a tree that has witnessed generations of people passing through the mountains of Nakahechi.
Experience the Golden Heart of Nakahechi
For anyone exploring Wakayama and the Kumano region, the Great Ginkgo Tree of Fukusada is a memorable place to experience the beauty of Japan’s rural landscapes.
Whether you arrive by car along National Route 311 or encounter it while exploring the Kumano Kodo, the sight of this enormous golden tree rising above the quiet mountain village is unforgettable.
Surrounded by the history of Hosenji Temple, the natural beauty of Nakahechi, and the spiritual atmosphere of the Kumano pilgrimage routes, the Great Ginkgo offers visitors a chance to slow down and appreciate the passage of time through one extraordinary living tree.