Hida Kokubunji

Hida Kokubunji was established by imperial edict of Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. Built as one of the provincial temples established throughout the nation with prayers for national protection, it has taken deep root in the land of Hida. A great ginkgo tree with an age exceeding one thousand years towers within the grounds, turning a magnificent golden color in autumn. This ancient tree, which has marked the passage of time with the Kokubunji, tells the very history of Takayama in Hida.