Mt. Minobu Weeping Cherry Trees
Spring in Japan is marked by the enjoyment of cherry blossoms around the country, and the Mt. Minobu area is no exception. The area is dotted with shidare zakura (weeping cherry trees), which bloom in shades of white and light pink.
Near Kuonji Temple are two 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom trees. One stands in front of the Soshido, the large red hall that houses the statues of Nichiren, his parents, and his disciples. The other tree stands in front of the temple’s guesthouse. While Japan is filled with beautiful cherry trees, only a few have been standing since the beginning of the seventeenth century.
With Kuonji Temple in the background, the weeping cherries and, in particular, the two 400-year-old trees are among the most popular attractions in Yamanashi. Their beauty has also been featured on the national news.