Garyu Sakura
臥龍桜
A giant Edo-higan cherry tree over 1,100 years old standing in Garyu Park in Ichinomiya-cho, Takayama. Its branches spread low and wide near the ground, with a gnarled, winding trunk resembling a crouching dragon, giving the tree its name, "Garyu Zakura" (Crouching Dragon Cherry). Designated a national Natural Monument in 1922 as one of Japan's foremost solitary cherry trees, it boasts an overwhelming branch spread of about 30 meters and a height of about 20 meters. It blooms each year from mid to late April, when the "Garyu Zakura Festival" is held with nighttime illumination.
A 1,100-year-old giant likened to a crouching dragon
Garyu Zakura is a giant Edo-higan cherry tree said to be over 1,100 years old, named for its branches spreading widely along the ground in a shape resembling a crouching dragon. Its imposing form, spanning about 30 meters and standing about 20 meters tall, was designated a national Natural Monument in 1922 and is sometimes counted among Japan's three great solitary cherry trees.
One of Hida's finest solitary cherry trees, blooming each April
The tree typically reaches full bloom from mid to late April. The sight of it covered in pale pink blossoms is spectacular, and the "Garyu Zakura Festival" is held during the blooming period, with food stalls and nighttime illumination. Free parking for about 250 cars is available at the surrounding Garyu Park, which draws many flower-viewing visitors from within and outside the prefecture during the season.
A convenient location, one minute from JR Hida-Ichinomiya Station
Located directly in front of JR Takayama Line's Hida-Ichinomiya Station, this cherry tree destination is easy to reach by train. It's also only about a 20-minute drive from central Takayama, making it an easy stop to combine with Takayama sightseeing during cherry blossom season.
Seasonal Highlights
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Typically in full bloom from mid to late April, with the Garyu Zakura Festival and nighttime illumination.
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
A different sight from full bloom: the vigorous, deep-green branches of the leafed-out tree.
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
The tree's presence as a giant can be appreciated alongside the autumn foliage of the surrounding mountains.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
With its leaves fallen, the branch structure makes the tree's crouching-dragon namesake even more apparent.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 20-30 minutes just to view (about an hour including a stroll during the festival)
- Crowd levels
- Parking and surrounding roads get very congested on weekends during full bloom and the illumination period
- Best time to visit
- A weekday morning during the blooming period, or right after the illumination begins
| Address | 275-1 Ichinomiya-machi, Takayama, Gifu (inside Garyu Park) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open access for viewing (24 hours; nighttime illumination during the Garyu Zakura Festival) |
| Admission | Free |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 1 min walk from JR Hida-Ichinomiya Station (JR Takayama Line)