Spectacular 750-Year-Old Beauty! What is ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura’?
📍 Address: Darumaji, Nakayama-machi, Higashimurayama-gun, Yamagata 990-0403, Japan
Nakayama Town, located in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture, is home to the ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura,’ standing quietly yet with an overwhelming presence within Odaruma-no-Sakura Park, by the Sugawa River in the town’s southern area. This cherry tree, designated as a Natural Monument by Yamagata Prefecture, is a magnificent *Edo-higan* cherry estimated to be over 750 years old. It is said to have been planted here, where the Yamagata Kaido once had a ferry crossing, to serve as a landmark for the boat landing.
While there are over 30 cherry trees in the park, including Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees, the true ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura’ isn’t the one immediately visible at the center upon entering, but rather the majestic, thick-trunked tree further back. Its trunk circumference exceeds 5 meters, so thick that it would take about seven children holding hands to encircle it. It has long been cherished by locals as a ‘seed-sowing cherry tree’ (*Tanemaki-zakura*), serving as an indicator for agricultural work. The contrast between its rugged trunk, which has withstood the test of time, and the delicate pale pink small flowers it blooms in spring, evokes a sense of historical romance.
Enjoy ‘Eye-Level Cherry Blossoms’ from the Embankment and the Spectacular Contrast with Mount Gassan
For travelers visiting ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura,’ we highly recommend viewing it from atop the Sugawa River embankment. While gazing up at the magnificent tree from below is splendid, from the embankment, the cherry blossoms’ branches and leaves spread out right at eye level. It’s like being enveloped in a wave of cherry blossoms, offering a special viewing experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Furthermore, on clear, crisp days, you can distinctly see the snow-capped Mount Gassan in the distance. The contrast created by the pink of the fully bloomed cherry blossoms, the white of Mount Gassan’s remaining snow, and the blue sky is truly breathtaking. The best viewing period is usually from mid to late April, slightly later than the Somei Yoshino in Yamagata City. In the evening, the cherry blossoms’ appearance changes with the sky’s gradation, and they are also lit up at night, offering a charm that makes you want to visit multiple times at different hours.
Even More Fascinating When You Know! The Legends of ‘Ikidaruma’ and ‘Tsunbuku Daruma’
At the base of this cherry tree, there is a small shrine and a plaque, and the entire area is part of the ‘Darumaji Ruins,’ where settlements and iron workshops existed from the Kofun period to the Heian period. The slightly unusual name ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura’ is linked to a profound legend passed down in this region.
Long ago, a humble traveling monk visiting this area suddenly died, leaving a will: ‘Bury me at the base of the cherry tree by the Sugawa River, and dig me up after 35 days.’ When the villagers dug as instructed, there was no body, but instead, a hanging scroll depicting ‘Daruma Crossing the Sea’ appeared. Later, when the scroll was sent to the capital for mounting repairs, to distinguish the genuine one from six scrolls of the same design, people followed an oracle and rubbed the eyes with a bamboo leaf. Only one scroll ‘blinked’ with a ‘pachitto’ sound. This ‘Living Daruma’ (*Ikidaruma*) is still enshrined at the nearby Darumaji Temple today.
Furthermore, the anecdotes surrounding the cherry tree are endless, including the legend of ‘Tsunbuku Daruma,’ where children reportedly floated a Daruma doll found under the cherry tree down the river, and it drifted all the way to Sakata. By not just gazing at the cherry blossoms but also clasping your hands in prayer at the small shrine at its base and pondering the mysterious stories that have continued for 750 years, your sightseeing experience will surely be enriched.
Access and Practical Parking Tips
When travelers visit ‘Odaruma-no-Sakura,’ car access is generally required, but a few things need attention. The park has a spacious free parking lot accommodating about 50 cars, making parking relatively smooth.
However, the final stretch of road from the main road to the park is a narrow farm road where passing can be a bit challenging. Especially during peak times on weekends when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom (around 10 AM to 2 PM), a queue of several cars driving slowly may form. If you’re not confident with driving on narrow roads, it’s best to aim for early mornings or after 4 PM, when the crowds have thinned out. This allows you to slowly appreciate the historic cherry tree in a peaceful atmosphere.
