Ishiwarizakura (Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree) [石割桜]
Ishiwarizakura
Photo by Iwate Prefecture
Ishiwarizakura breaking a rock
Photo by Iwate Prefecture
Ishiwarizakura is a unique cherry tree, in front of the building of Morioka District Court located 150 meters north of Sakurayama shrine.
It grows in a cranny of a big rock.
It is over 360 years old, and has a diameter of over 1.3 meters.
The height is about 11 meters.
It is said that a seed of cherry got into the crevice formed by a stroke of lightning and it has grown.
In 1932, the court building suffered from a fire, but fortunately this tree got away with only partial burning.
Still it produces many beautiful blossoms every year.
The best season is the middle of April, and is about a week earlier than the other cherry trees.
In English, it is translated as "Rock-Breaking Cherry Tree".
How to get here
By loop bus "Denden Mushi", get off at "Chuo-dori Icchome" or "Kencho, Shiyakusho mae" stop.
about 10 minutes from Morioka station.
