The Great Cedar of Tsukize stands in the Tsukize district of Neba Village, Shimoina District, Nagano Prefecture. One of the largest giant trees in Nagano, it rises approximately 40 meters into the sky and has a trunk circumference of about 13.8 meters.
Its age is estimated at more than 1,500 years, with some traditions placing it at approximately 1,800 years old. For centuries, the enormous cedar has been revered as a symbol of the local community and regarded as a sacred presence.
Local traditions tell of unusual events associated with the tree. The breaking of one of its large branches was once believed to signal an impending disaster or epidemic. The tree is also worshipped as “Osugi-sama”, and people have traditionally believed that praying to it could help cure toothaches and tooth decay.
The Great Cedar of Tsukize has survived several serious threats to its existence. During the final years of the Edo period, in 1844, the tree was considered as a possible source of timber for the reconstruction of the main compound of Edo Castle.
Local residents joined together to oppose the proposed felling, successfully protecting the ancient tree. Their determination proved crucial in preserving the cedar for future generations.
The tree faced another threat during the Meiji period. As part of a nationwide movement to consolidate Shinto shrines, trees on shrine grounds were sometimes sold. Once again, local residents came together, forming a mujin-ko, a community savings association, to raise enough money to purchase the tree back.
These efforts ultimately ensured its survival. In 1944, the Great Cedar of Tsukize was designated a National Natural Monument, formally recognizing its exceptional natural and cultural value.
The tree’s enormous trunk rises almost straight toward the sky before giving way to powerful branches spreading outward near its base. Its immense scale and distinctive form create an overwhelming impression when viewed from close range.
A survey conducted by Japan’s Environment Agency in 1991 described it as the largest giant tree in Nagano Prefecture and the sixth-largest cedar in Japan at the time of the survey.
Its extraordinary size is matched by a rich collection of local legends. According to tradition, major branches sometimes broke before important historical events, including the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, Manchurian Incident, and Pacific War. Whether viewed as coincidence or folklore, these stories reveal how deeply the cedar has been woven into the collective memory of the local community.
For generations, residents have respectfully called the cedar “Osugi-sama,” treating it not simply as an old tree but as a sacred presence.
The belief that the tree could help cure tooth problems is one example of the traditional folk beliefs surrounding it. Such customs reflect the close relationship between nature and everyday religious life in rural Japan, where enormous ancient trees were often regarded as sacred objects worthy of reverence.
Standing beside the Great Cedar today offers visitors a chance to experience this sense of spiritual connection while appreciating one of the most impressive natural monuments in southern Nagano.
The area around the Great Cedar has also been improved to make the site more accessible to visitors. The narrow roads and lack of parking that once made access difficult were addressed through the development of Tsukize Great Cedar Park.
The park includes a tennis court, a traditional-style gazebo, restroom facilities, and other amenities. In 2015, a large parking area was completed along National Route 153, providing spaces for approximately six large buses and 14 regular cars.
Efforts are also being made to ensure that the cedar’s legacy continues beyond the present tree. After a large branch was broken during heavy snowfall in 2014, local efforts successfully produced new trees through cuttings. In 2017, a ceremony was held to plant one of these successor trees, symbolizing the desire to pass this natural heritage on to future generations.
The local community continues to care for the site. Residents regularly remove weeds, clean the restrooms, and maintain the surrounding park, helping preserve the beautiful setting of the giant cedar.
This community involvement is especially meaningful because the tree survived not only the passage of centuries but also deliberate attempts to cut it down. The Great Cedar of Tsukize is therefore both a natural monument and a symbol of the determination of the people who have protected it.
Visiting the Great Cedar of Tsukize is an opportunity to stand before a living monument that has witnessed more than a millennium of Japanese history. Its immense trunk, towering branches, legends, and sacred status create an atmosphere that is difficult to experience anywhere else.
The cedar’s story is not simply the story of an ancient tree; it is also the story of a community that repeatedly chose to protect its natural and cultural heritage.
Surrounded by the mountains of Neba Village, the Great Cedar offers a peaceful place to appreciate the scale of nature and reflect on the generations that have passed beneath its branches.
The Great Cedar of Tsukize is approximately 60 minutes by car from the Iida Interchange on the Chuo Expressway and about 75 minutes by car from the Toyota-Kanpachi Interchange on the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway.
By public transportation, take a bus from Iida Station on the JR Iida Line, changing buses as necessary, and get off at the Neba bus stop. From there, the site is approximately a 20-minute walk.
Because the cedar is located in a mountainous area, traveling by car is generally the most convenient way to reach the site.
The Great Cedar of Tsukize is one of southern Nagano’s most remarkable natural and cultural landmarks. Its immense size, extraordinary age, National Natural Monument designation, fascinating legends, and history of community protection make it far more than a sightseeing stop.
For travelers seeking the quiet beauty of rural Japan, this ancient cedar provides a rare opportunity to encounter a landscape where nature, local belief, history, and community life have remained intertwined for centuries.