Jisso-ji Temple Belfry

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The Timeless Beauty of Jisso-ji Temple’s Cherry Blossoms and Bell
実相寺：歴史と復活の花が咲くお寺

Takeda Shingen (1521–1573) was a powerful feudal lord of Kai Province, known today as Yamanashi Prefecture. Renowned as the "Tiger of Kai," Shingen was a legendary military strategist and one of the most influential warlords of the late Sengoku period.

In 1559, Shingen became a patron of Jisso-ji Temple. Two years later, in 1561, he donated the site of a castle once owned by one of his vassals to the temple, facilitating its relocation to that very spot. Today, the temple still stands on this historic ground, surrounded by serene gardens and centuries-old cherry blossoms.

Jisso-ji Temple endured two devastating fires in 1735 and again in 1848. Tragically, the flames consumed all of its wooden structures and religious treasures. Yet, some relics withstood the destruction such as the gravestones near the temple, the bronze bell, and the ancient Yamataka Jindai Zakura cherry tree, which believed to be between 1,800 and 2,000 years old.

The bell tower captured in my photograph is a classic example of traditional Japanese architecture. The open wooden structure, supported by stout corner pillars, houses a large bronze bell. During ceremonies, a monk pulls back a wooden pole and strikes the bell with deliberate strength, producing a deep, resonant tone that echoes across the temple grounds. This architectural style dates back to the 13th century, preserving a design that has connected generations through ritual and tradition.

An inscription on the bronze bell reveals it was gifted to Jisso-ji Temple on July 16, 1655. Its significance is amplified by its survival through World War II. During the war, nearly 90% of Japan's ancient bronze bells (over 70,000 in total) were melted down for the war effort. Jisso-ji's bell is one of the few that survived, standing today as an important historic artifact and a symbol of resilience.

Visiting Jisso-ji Temple was like stepping back through centuries of Japanese history. The ancient cherry blossom trees, revered as divine symbols of resilience, are often prayed to by visitors seeking strength to overcome life's challenges. Alongside them stands the centuries-old bronze bell, another testament to endurance, having survived both time and war. Together, these sacred relics create an atmosphere steeped in tradition and reflection—a place where the past is not just remembered but deeply felt, inspiring hope and perseverance.

• Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/04/08・06:42
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 105 mm ISO 100 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/8

Google Maps link + sources:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250408-jissoji-bell

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Yamataka Jindai Zakura

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Majestic Yamataka Jindai Zakura – Centuries-Old Cherry Tree in Yamanashi, Japan

古の時代から咲き誇る、大津山實相寺の山高神代桜

The Yamataka Jindai Zakura (山高神代桜) at Jissoji Temple in the highlands of Yamanashi's Hokuto region is one of the Three Great Sakura Trees of Japan. Standing at just 10.3 meters (33.8 ft) tall and spanning 11.8 meters (36 ft) at the trunk, it may not be the largest, but it is certainly among the oldest, with an estimated age of 1,800 to 2,000 years. This remarkable tree was designated as Japan’s first-ever Natural Monument in 1920, a testament to its historical and cultural significance.

Through the centuries, Yamataka Jindai Zakura has endured countless natural disasters. Although it is smaller than it once was, its thick trunk, and gnarled branches still stretch proudly, supported by wooden poles to preserve its legacy for future generations. These poles are not just practical—they are symbols of the local community’s commitment to this living monument.

Legend holds that the tree was planted by Yamato Takeru, a warrior prince and folk hero of ancient Japan. Centuries later, the Buddhist priest Nichiren (1222–1282), who was thee founder of the Nichiren school of Buddhism and Jissoji Temple itself, allegedly found the tree withering and prayed for its survival. His prayers, according to temple tradition, helped revive it. Since then, generations of monks at Jissoji Temple have carefully nurtured the ancient cherry tree, ensuring its survival through time.

Jindai Zakura has become a symbol of peace and unity, with its seedlings planted across Japan and around the world. Notably, you can find its descendants in Hungary, the Vatican, Italy, San Marino, Poland, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and more, with each  sapling a living diplomat and promoter of peace between Japan and countries around the world.

In a remarkable journey beyond Earth, Jindai Zakura seeds were sent into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour to the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station. After returning to Earth in 2009, only two of the 118 seeds germinated. One seedling was planted at a local junior high school, and the other found its home back at Jissoji Temple. Surprisingly, the sapling at the temple flourished and even began to bloom. Its blossoms are unique: while typical cherry blossoms have five petals, the "Uchu Zakura" (Space Sakura) has six petals, making for a mysterious reminder of its time in space.

With a greater understanding of this tree’s life story, I feel that the Yamataka Jindai Zakura stands as a living bridge between past, present, and even the stars, symbolizing resilience, history, and hope for the future.

• Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/04/08・06:36
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 45 mm ISO 100 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/9

Google Maps link + sources:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250408-jindai-zakura

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Otsuyama Jisso-ji Temple

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Spring Awakens with Cherry Blossoms and Daffodils in Yamanashi Highlands
水仙と神代桜に見守られる實相寺

Otsuyama Jisso-ji Temple (大津山 實相寺), located in the Hokuto Highlands of Yamanashi Prefecture, is home to around 30 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and a stunning display of 80,000 trumpet daffodils. These vibrant blooms create a striking contrast with the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kaikoma (甲斐駒ヶ岳), part of the Southern Alps, offering a perfect blend of spring warmth and alpine majesty.

Getting to the temple is relatively easy with only a 2.5-hour drive (156 km/97 mi) from central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway if you set off before sunrise. The early start is well worth it, as you’ll arrive just in time to witness the morning light illuminating the blossoms and Mt. Kaikoma.

Unfortunately, the temple grounds were closed during my visit, so I wasn’t able to make an offering or pay my respects before exploring the area for some nice compositions. Over the years, I’ve made it a habit to offer my respects whenever visiting a holy site. It’s a personal ritual that helps me set my mindset, reminding me that I am stepping into a place that holds deep significance for the locals—even if, for visitors like me, it may feel more like an adventure.

Though the morning air was still crisp with winter’s lingering chill, the vibrant spring blossoms filled me with hope for warmer days ahead. After what has felt like an unusually harsh winter back home in Yokohama, this glimpse of spring was a much-needed reminder that brighter days were just around the corner, encouraging me to shake off the winter blues.

• Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/04/08・06:11
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 45 mm ISO 100 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/9

Google Maps link + sources:

https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250408-jisso-ji

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Jigen-ji Temple

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Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Remembrance: Jigen-ji Temple in Odawara
慈眼寺の松月：元禄地震犠牲者供養の寺

After a meeting with clients in Odawara, which is a historic castle town located about 30 minutes south of Tokyo by bullet train, I stumbled upon this quiet temple on my way back to Odawara Station.

Though I wasn’t able to find specific details about when the temple or its Sanmon Gate was built, I did learn that the temple itself was originally constructed to honor the many lives lost during the Great Genroku Earthquake.

This devastating earthquake struck at 2:00 a.m. on December 31, 1703, with Odawara near the epicenter. In addition to widespread structural collapse, fires broke out across the city, greatly compounding the destruction and loss of life.

What first caught my eye was the Sanmon Gate--a traditional gabled structure with dark gray clay tiles, seamlessly connected to a white plaster wall crowned with matching tiles. Behind the gate, a grove of cherry trees was in full bloom.

The variety, known as Shogetsu (Prunus serrulata ‘Shogetsu’), is especially striking. Each blossom begins as a pale pink bud and opens into a large white flower with around 20 delicate petals. The soft clouds of blossoms spilling over the temple wall created a moment of quiet beauty that was both fleeting, yet timeless.

• Location: Jigen-ji Temple, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/04/07・10:35
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• ISO 160 for 1/340 sec. at ƒ/8
• Classic Negative film simulation

Google Maps and sources for a deeper dive:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250407-jigenji

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Canopy of Ancient Junipers

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Canopy of the Ancient Ones: Divine Junipers of Cape Osezaki・大瀬崎のビャクシン樹林：日本国の天然記念物

A trio of centuries-old juniper trees (Juniperus chinensis) called out to me with their weather-worn canopy of branches and  limbs stretching into the sea-spray-laden sky. Among the roughly 130 trees huddled together at the tip of Cape Ose in Shizuoka Prefecture, these three seemed to be the tallest I came across. Sitting so close to the ocean shore—just 2.5 meters above sea level—I am in awe of how these majestic conifers have survived over 1,500 years of typhoons and the occasional tsunami.

Cape Ose is a place where nature's resilience is written in the twisted trunks and gnarled branches that seem to reach out to the sea. The junipers, with their sprawling limbs and ancient presence, feel like guardians watching over the coastline. It's astonishing to think that these trees have quietly endured, bending with the wind but never breaking.

In 1932, the Japanese government recognized the unique significance of this forest, designating it a National Special Natural Monument. This protection has allowed the grove to remain untouched by development, preserving its natural beauty for generations to come. Walking among these grand sentinels, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the foresight of conservationists who understood the importance of safeguarding such a rare living legacy.

Before the governmental designation, these ancient trees were already considered sacred by the local villagers. Centuries ago, they built a Shinto shrine nearby (Ose Shrine) to honor the god of the sea, believed to be embodied by one of the largest and oldest trees in the forest, which is a testament to the reverence these trees inspire.

Standing beneath their sprawling branches, I found myself imagining all they had witnessed; how many storms they had braved; and how many generations had passed beneath their shadows. The junipers of Cape Ose are more than just trees; they are living chronicles of endurance and grace against the constant roar of the sea.

If you ever find yourself along the shores of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka, take the time to walk among these ancient ones. Listen closely. You might just hear their story, carried softly on the ocean breeze.

• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:29
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 58 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Google Maps links + list of references for a deeper dive:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250319-junipers

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Divine Juniper

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• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:18
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 28 mm ISO 400 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/6.3

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Revered Grove of Divine Junipers at Cape Osezaki
大瀬崎のビャクシン樹林：夫婦ビャクシンの発見

At the end of Cape Ose lies a revered grove of approximately 130 juniper trees, which is the northernmost natural old-growth juniper forest in Japan. This rare and small colony of naturally growing junipers is particularly unique in the Japanese archipelago.

Among these towering, centuries-old trees, some are estimated to be over 1,500 years old. Recognizing its significance, the Japanese government designated the forest a Natural Monument in 1932, naming it the Osezaki Juniper Forest. Since then, it has been protected not just as a biological rarity, but as a spiritual sanctuary.

The species, Juniperus chinensis—commonly known outside Japan as Chinese juniper—belongs to the cypress family (Cupressaceae). While found throughout Korea and central China, this conifer is native to Japan, thriving in coastal regions on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Adapted to rocky shores and strong winds, these trees often develop dramatically twisted trunks and limbs, which add to their visual and spiritual allure.

One tree in particular caught my attention: a towering pair known as the Husband and Wife Juniper (夫婦ビャクシン・Meoto Byakushin). Two trunks, born from the same root, stretch upward in quiet union. Around them, a braided shimenawa straw rope wraps gently, marking them as sacred in the Shinto tradition. These conifers are divine trees (御神木・Goshinboku) believed to house the presence of spirits or deities.

Standing before these trees, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet reverence. Their age of over fifteen centuries renders them almost beyond my comprehension. They've witnessed the rise and fall of empires; survived the movement of earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons; and have been a focus of worship and prayers by generations of local villagers, local fishermen, and countless travelers.

Google Maps links + list of references for a deeper dive:

https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250319-juniper

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• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:18
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 28 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/3.5

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• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:24
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 34 mm ISO 400 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/4

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• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:29
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 63 mm ISO 400 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/4.5

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Cape Ose

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Tranquil Coastline under a Brooding Sky

大瀬崎の穏やかな海岸線

A serene view of Cape Osezaki’s rocky shoreline, where deep green coastal forests meet the calm, turquoise waters of Suruga Bay. The overcast sky and distant hills add dramatic contrast, highlighting the natural beauty and quiet isolation of this rural Japanese peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture.

In the left mid-ground lies the Osezaki Juniper Forest, an ancient grove of around 130 naturally growing juniper trees—some believed to be over 1,000 years old. This is one of the rarest and most ecologically unique forests of its kind in Japan.

On clear days, this vantage point offers a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji rising above Suruga Bay. Remote coastal fishing villages, centuries-old trees, and the iconic snow-capped peak make for one of my favorite seascape scenarios. Alas, capturing a clear view of Mt. Fuji can be elusive, often requiring multiple visits and patience. It is this pursuit that is part of the magic—and a welcome escape from the relentless pace of my daily grind in the concrete jungle of Tokyo’s metropolis.

• Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:54
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 63 mm ISO 100 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/11

Google Maps links + list of references for a deeper dive:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250319-osezaki

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