The Futami Great Muku Tree is a magnificent tree in Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, that has been cherished by local residents for generations. Towering in the garden of the historic Adachi family residence, this giant Japanese hackberry is a remarkable symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. It was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan in 1957 and continues to captivate visitors with its imposing presence and extraordinary age.
The muku tree, or Japanese hackberry (*Aphananthe aspera*), is a deciduous tree belonging to the hemp family, Cannabaceae. It grows naturally in warm regions of East Asia, including Japan, the Korean Peninsula, southern China, and Taiwan. In Japan, it is found mainly in areas west of the Kanto region.
The tree is recognizable by its rough, grayish-brown bark and the impressive girth of its trunk as it matures. Large, old specimens such as the Futami Great Muku Tree are particularly valued for their size, longevity, and connection with local history.
The Futami Great Muku Tree is considered an exceptionally valuable giant specimen of its species. Known in Japanese as Futami no Omuku, it was designated a National Natural Monument in 1957. At the time of designation, the tree stood approximately 30 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of about 8.3 meters measured at a height of 1.3 meters above the ground. The circumference around its base was approximately 15.8 meters.
Its age is estimated at around 1,000 years, making it a living witness to centuries of change in the surrounding countryside.
In 1990, the tree was selected for the New Top 100 Famous Trees of Japan, a list compiled by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. A survey conducted by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in 2000 also ranked it fourth nationwide among muku trees in terms of trunk circumference, further highlighting its exceptional size.
The tree grows in the garden of the Adachi family residence in the Futami district of Gojo City, in western Nara Prefecture. The area lies on a terrace along the northern bank of the Yoshino River, with Wakayama Prefecture nearby to the west. To the east is Gojo Shinmachi, a historic district whose traditional streetscape preserves the atmosphere of an old post town along the former Kishu Highway. Gojo Shinmachi is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.
The Adachi family, whose property contains the tree, has been known as a family of physicians for generations since the Edo period. According to family tradition, its ancestors were related to Akai Naoyoshi, a lord associated with Kuroi Castle in Tanba Province during the Sengoku period. After the castle fell following an attack by Akechi Mitsuhide in 1579, the family is said to have moved to this area.
In 1959, the Isewan Typhoon caused severe damage to the tree. One of its largest main branches, which divided from the trunk at a height of approximately seven meters, broke off during the storm. Further damage from subsequent typhoons and strong winds reduced the tree’s height to around 15 meters, approximately half its height at the time of its original designation.
An internal hollow has also been identified in the main trunk, raising concerns about the tree’s vitality. Nevertheless, local residents continue to work to protect this irreplaceable natural landmark and preserve it for future generations.
The Futami Great Muku Tree has long been regarded as a symbol of the community. The Adachi family built a small shrine near its roots and enshrines the tree as a local guardian deity. Residents of Gojo have affectionately referred to it as the “guardian deity of Gojo,” reflecting the deep respect and spiritual significance attached to the ancient tree.
The tree also appears in a traditional folk song known as the Gojo Temari-uta, or Gojo Handball Song. One verse mentions Futami’s crossroads and the muku tree, recalling its place in the everyday life and shared memories of the local community. The tree described in the song is believed to be the Futami Great Muku Tree itself.
This connection with folk music illustrates how the tree has become more than a natural monument. It remains part of the region’s cultural identity, linking the landscape with generations of local stories and traditions.
Address: 4-6-39 Futami, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, Japan.
By train: The tree is approximately a six-minute walk from Yamato-Futami Station on the JR Wakayama Line.
By car: It is approximately a ten-minute drive from Gojo Interchange on the Keinawa Expressway.
The Futami Great Muku Tree is far more than an ancient tree. Its massive trunk, remarkable longevity, and close ties to local faith and folklore tell the story of a community’s enduring relationship with nature. When visiting Gojo City, take the opportunity to appreciate this estimated 1,000-year-old giant and reflect on the centuries of history it has witnessed. Despite the damage it has endured, the tree remains a powerful symbol of resilience and a treasured part of Nara Prefecture’s natural heritage.