The tree is estimated to have been planted around the 6th century.
The hollow at the base of the trunk is large enough to contain a small tatami room.
In 1988, the Environmental Agency of Japan officially ranked it as the largest camphor tree in the country based on trunk circumference.
The tree serves as the sacred centerpiece of the Kamou Hachiman Shrine.
Local belief associates the tree with longevity due to its immense age and persistent vitality.
The Giant Camphor Tree of Kamoh is a designated Special Natural Monument in Japan, estimated to be over 1,500 years old. Standing approximately 30 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 24.2 meters, it is recognized as the largest camphor tree in the country. The tree features a large hollow at its base, which spans approximately 13 square meters and is accessible to visitors. Located within the grounds of the Kamou Hachiman Shrine, the tree is a significant cultural and botanical landmark. Its expansive root system is visible above ground, radiating outward across the surrounding shrine soil. The tree has been officially surveyed by the Environmental Agency and is widely acknowledged as the tree with the largest trunk circumference in Japan. It thrives in the mild climate of the Aira region in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Position yourself at the bottom of the shrine steps looking upward to capture the full width of the trunk and the reach of the branches.
Visit the small hollow inside the base of the trunk to experience the scale of the tree from the inside.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes to navigate the shrine's unpaved, uneven ground.
Bring mosquito repellent, as the humid, wooded environment around the shrine can attract insects.
Do not attempt to climb the roots or enter areas cordoned off for the tree's preservation.
Maintain a quiet tone, as the tree is located within a sacred shrine precinct; refrain from touching the trunk directly to preserve the bark.
