Yōgō no Matsu, Giant pine tree at Zen'yō-ji Temple in Higashi-Koiwa, Japan.
Yōgō no Matsu is a black pine at Zen'yō-ji Temple in Higashi-Koiwa whose branches extend 31 meters from east to west and 28 meters from north to south, making it Japan's widest pine tree. The massive structure requires special support systems to bear the weight of its sprawling branches.
This natural monument dates back more than 600 years and was present when Zen'yō-ji Temple was established in the 16th century. The tree served as an existing landmark around which the religious community developed.
The temple grounds feature 88 stone shrines with soil from each location of the Shikoku pilgrimage route, linking the site to broader Buddhist traditions. This arrangement allows visitors to symbolically experience many sacred places across Japan without traveling far.
The tree is easily reached from Koiwa Station by taking the Keisei Bus to Edogawa Hospital Mae stop, followed by a short walk. The temple sits in a quiet residential neighborhood that can be visited anytime during daylight hours.
The name 'Yōgō' refers to manifestations of deities in the physical world, a concept that deepens the sacred status of the tree. This naming reveals how local spirituality permeates the way nature is perceived and honored.
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