Looking for a power spot to bring good energy into your life? Let us take you to a secret place in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture. There, a giant tree over 2,300 years old stands quietly with an amazing presence.
This is the Kayano Giant Cedar (Kayano Osugi).
What is the Kayano Giant Cedar?
The Kayano Giant Cedar stands in Sugawara Shrine, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is about 2,300 years old and 54 meters tall. The trunk is about 11.5 meters around—seven adults holding hands can barely circle it. In 1947, Emperor Showa came to see this tree, so it is also called "Tenran no Osugi" (The Cedar Viewed by the Emperor).
Breathtaking Size and Spiritual Power
This tree is 2,300 years old—it has been watching over this land since before Christ was born. Look up and you might fall over backwards. It is that big.
Local people believe a god lives in this tree. Stand in front of it and you feel something sacred that cleans your heart. The tree has a quiet but strong energy that pushes away bad luck and brings new hope.
Take a deep breath under the giant cedar and feel the energy of 2,300 years!
Perfect for Photos
The old cedar stands among mossy rocks in a silent forest. It looks like a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie—the quiet beauty of Japan.
A wooden walkway called "Ukihashi Sando" (floating bridge path) protects the tree's roots. From here, the view looking up at the cedar is amazing. Come early morning when mist appears, and the tree looks like it has a glowing aura—perfect for photos!
All four sacred trees are giant trees
Sugawara Shrine has four giant cedar trees, not just one. The Kayano Giant Cedar is the biggest and is a National Natural Monument. The other three are also huge and are Ishikawa Prefecture Natural Monuments. Standing among these four giants feels like being in a natural power spot. Take your time, breathe the forest air, and feel the energy from each tree.
How to Get to the Kayano Giant Cedar
"Hidden spot" sounds hard to reach, but the Kayano Giant Cedar is only about 2.5 km south of central Yamanaka Onsen. By car, it takes about 15 minutes, and there is free parking.
You can also walk there in about 30 minutes from Kakusenkei Gorge, or take a local bus.
Walk from Kakusenkei Gorge
Combine a visit to Kakusenkei Gorge with a walk to the Kayano Giant Cedar. Walk south along Route 364 from the hot spring town. It takes about 30 minutes.
This route lets you enjoy the peaceful Japanese countryside. It is especially good if you are staying in Yamanaka Onsen.
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Take a Local Bus
Buses to Kayano leave from Yamanaka Onsen Bus Terminal.
From | Bus | Get off at |
|---|---|---|
Yamanaka Onsen Bus Terminal | Hokutetsu Kaga Bus Onsen Yamanaka Line bound for Kayano | Kayano (2 min. walk) |
Buses to Kayano do not run often. Check the timetable before you go. If there is no bus, take a taxi (about 5 minutes).
Relax at Yamanaka Onsen
After getting energy from the giant cedar, relax at Yamanaka Onsen. This hot spring has 1,300 years of history. The water is gentle on your skin—perfect for washing away travel tiredness. For a quick bath, try Kikuyu public bathhouse. Power spot + hot spring = a lucky trip!
