As the name suggests, Yasui Sugawara Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.
On the east side of the shrine grounds, there is a large camphor tree, estimated to be over 1,000 years old, on a small hill-like mound of earth to the right of the shrine pavilion.
The tree used to cover the shrine, but in August 2012, a fire caused by lightning struck the tree and the tips of the branches were cut off, which made the canopy much smaller.
Now, new shoots have grown and the tree has a magnificent appearance, and one can feel the life force of the camphor tree.
There are also giant camphor trees on the left side facing the shrine pavilion and in the southeast corner of the precincts, preserving a quiet and peaceful shrine pavilion where about 30 species of trees can be seen. Along the side of the shrine is a “Koshikake-ishi” stone on which Sugawara Michizane, the chief of the Sanuki region, was said to have sat about 1,200 years ago.
The camphor tree of Yasui Sugawara Shrine was designated as a natural monument by Kannonji City on June 10, 1976.
address | 1886 Nakahime, Onohara-cho, Kanonji-shi, Kagawa 769-1612 |
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map | |
car | About 6 minutes (3 km) by car from the Onohara IC of Takamatsu Expressway |
train | Approximately 8 minutes (4.4 km) by cab from JR Kannonji Station |
parking lot | available |