Matabei-zakura

In short

Matabei-zakura is a weeping cherry tree said to be around 300 years old, located in Hongo, Ouda, Uda City. Also known as "Hongo no Takizakura," it came to be affectionately called Matabei-zakura due to the legend of the Sengoku-period samurai commander Goto Matabei and because it stands on the former site of the Goto family residence. It is a cherry tree known nationwide, having been featured in the opening credits of an NHK Taiga drama.

• ​Giant Cherry Tree​​: Standing 13 meters tall with a trunk circumference exceeding 3 meters, it spreads wide branches.
• ​Legend of Goto Matabei​​: One theory suggests that the samurai commander, who is said to have died in the Siege of Osaka (Summer Campaign), fled to this land.
• ​Harmony with Peach Blossoms​​: Peach trees planted around it bloom around the same time.

History and Highlights

Matabei-zakura is an ancient weeping cherry tree located in Hongo in the western part of Ouda. Said to be around 300 years old, it is a protected tree of Nara Prefecture. Besides being called "Hongo no Takizakura," it has also come to be affectionately known by the name "Matabei-zakura."

The name originates from the legend of the Sengoku samurai commander Goto Matabei and the fact that the cherry tree stands on the ruins of the Goto family residence. Goto Matabei was a military commander who served the Kuroda and Toyotomi clans. He is said to have fallen in battle during the Siege of Osaka (Summer Campaign) in 1615. However, according to one theory, it is said that after Osaka Castle fell, he escaped to this land. A legend remains that he became a Buddhist monk and lived out the rest of his life here.

The tree is a giant, measuring 13 meters tall with a trunk circumference exceeding 3 meters. Spreading its large branches and bursting with pale pink flowers, it commands a powerful presence. In spring, the blossoms bloom like a waterfall.

It has gained nationwide recognition, including being featured in the opening of a Taiga drama. The blooming season is from late March to early April. A "Cherry Blossom Festival" is held to coincide with this period, and the area bustles with cherry blossom viewers.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​View from Different Angles​​: Try viewing it from various perspectives, such as downstream along the river, from the hillside, or directly below. It is considered to be particularly beautiful when viewed from downstream.
• ​Layering of Colors with Peach and Canola Blossoms​​: With peach blossoms blooming behind the cherry tree and canola flowers blooming in the foreground, they present a vibrant layering of colors alongside the moss-covered stone walls. The surrounding peach trees also bloom around the same time as the cherry tree, from late March to early April.
• ​Early Morning Cherry Blossoms​​: There are fewer visitors in the early morning, and on chilly mornings, one might be able to view the cherry tree shrouded in morning mist.

Visiting Tips

From Kintetsu Haibara Station, take the Nara Kotsu bus bound for "Ouda," ride for about 20 minutes to the final stop "Ouda," and then walk for about 20 minutes. When traveling by car, aim for the roadside station "Udaji Ouda" and follow the local signage. Traffic restrictions may be enforced during the flowering season, so please check the announcements from the Uda City Tourism Association before setting out. The Uda-Matsuyama Townscape is about 1.5 kilometers east-northeast from here. Strolling through the former castle town after viewing the cherry blossoms allows you to enjoy spring in Ouda in a single day.