The tree is an Edo-higan variety, known for its longevity and resistance to aging.
The name 'Matabei' is derived from the historical figure Goto Matabei, though the tree's age suggests it was planted well after his death.
The surrounding landscape is private farmland, and visitors contribute a cooperation fee for the site's maintenance.
The tree was popularized in the 1990s after appearing in the NHK historical drama 'Aoi: Tokugawa San-dai'.
The combination of pink cherry blossoms and yellow rapeseed flowers is a specific horticultural management practice to enhance the site's aesthetics.
Matabei Zakura is a 300-year-old weeping cherry tree (shidare-zakura) situated in the Hongo district of Uda, Nara. Standing approximately 13 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 3 meters, the tree is a variety of Prunus spachiana. Its name originates from a local legend associating the tree with Goto Matabei, a samurai who survived the Siege of Osaka and reportedly lived here in exile. The tree is surrounded by a field of yellow rapeseed flowers (nanohana) that bloom concurrently, creating a distinct color contrast. It resides on the former site of a samurai residence, marked by stone foundations. The tree is maintained by the local municipality and remains an iconic symbol of rural Japanese spring landscapes.
From the lower field elevation looking upward, which allows you to capture both the cherry blossoms and the yellow rapeseed flowers in a single frame.
Bring a polarizing filter for your camera to manage the reflection of light on the blossoms against the sky.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes as the terrain is uneven, unpaved agricultural land.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid peak weekend crowds that can obstruct views of the tree.
Do not attempt to park in local residential driveways; use only designated event-specific parking areas.
The site is accessible year-round, but the viewing area is most active during the peak bloom in early April.
Stay on marked paths to avoid damaging the rapeseed fields; do not touch the tree branches or roots.
