The trees were transplanted in 1960 using advanced techniques led by horticulturist Toyoaki Maegawa.
The two trees are named 'Shogen-zakura' and 'Nakano-zakura' after the original village sites they occupied.
The transplantation effort involved transporting the trees across the newly forming reservoir via barge.
The trees are categorized as Cerasus itosakura f. ascendens, a variety known for its longevity and resistance to cold.
The park was established specifically to preserve these genetic landmarks of the Shokawa valley.
Shokawasakura Park is centered around two ancient Edo-higan cherry trees, known as the Shokawa Sakura, which were transplanted here in the 1960s. These trees were rescued from the Miboro Dam construction site, where they were otherwise slated for submersion. The specimens are estimated to be over 500 years old. The park is situated on a hillside overlooking the Miboro Dam reservoir. It serves as a memorial to the villages displaced by the dam project. The site is a designated Gifu Prefecture Natural Monument. The location experiences significant elevation, which delays the blooming season compared to lowland areas in Japan.
The elevated observation deck providing a framing shot of the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the Miboro Dam reservoir.
Bring a polarizing filter for your camera to manage reflections from the nearby reservoir.
Visit during the early morning to capture the mist rising off the Miboro Dam surface.
Ensure you wear layers, as the mountain elevation results in temperatures significantly lower than in nearby Takayama city.
Do not attempt to park on the shoulder of the highway; use the designated public parking area adjacent to the park entrance.
The park is generally inaccessible or snow-covered during deep winter months.
Stay on marked gravel paths to protect the sensitive root systems of the ancient trees; do not touch the bark.
