Omuro Sakura
These cherry trees are Omuro Sakura, a late-blooming variety widely associated with Ninnaji. The earth where these trees now grow was once hard and impenetrable, but hundreds of years ago the temple added a layer of heavy topsoil to grow moss and created an environment hospitable to cherry trees.
The Omuro Sakura is notable for the large size of their blossoms and the sweetness of their scent. During the Edo period (1603–1868), Ninnaji opened its grounds to the general public during cherry-blossom (hanami) season, allowing ordinary people to develop a special affinity for the trees here. Today, the trees are off limits during most of the year, but are open to the public during the cherry-blossom viewing season, usually around mid-April.