Cedar Avenue of Nikkō, Tree-lined route in Nikkō, Japan
The Cedar Avenue of Nikkō is a tree-lined route featuring approximately 13,000 cryptomeria trees distributed across roughly 35 kilometers in three separate sections. The avenue runs along Japan National Routes 119 and 121, connecting multiple parking areas for visitors.
Tree planting began around 1625 under Matsudaira Masatsuna's direction as a tribute to Tokugawa Ieyasu. This initial effort grew over generations into one of the world's longest tree-lined routes.
The avenue functions as a sacred pilgrimage route leading to the temples and shrines, connecting visitors to centuries of spiritual practice. Walking between these trees, you follow a path that has drawn pilgrims for hundreds of years.
The main access points are along National Routes 119 and 121, where multiple parking areas are available throughout the route. You can explore on foot or by car, with spring and autumn being the best seasons for visiting.
This location holds the rare dual distinction of being both a Special Natural Monument and a Special Historic Site, a combination rarely granted in Japan. This dual recognition honors both the botanical and cultural importance of the avenue.
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