{"id":1634,"date":"2025-11-19T13:17:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T04:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/bijin-forest-_copied\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T22:35:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:35:28","slug":"the-great-keyaki","status":"publish","type":"spot","link":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/","title":{"rendered":"The Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\"><\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#What_Are_the_Great_Keyaki_of_Hachiman_and_the_Water_of_Longevity\" >What Are the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#A_Thousand-Year-Old_Zelkova_and_Shimogo_Towns_Hidden_Spring\" >A Thousand-Year-Old Zelkova and Shimog\u014d Town\u2019s Hidden Spring<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#Highlights_of_The_Great_Keyaki_of_Hachiman_and_the_Water_of_Longevity\" >Highlights of The Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#Recommended_Ways_to_Enjoy_your_Visit\" >Recommended Ways to Enjoy your Visit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#Spot_Information\" >Spot Information<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#Access\" >Access<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\" >Recommended Nearby Ryokans<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/spot\/the-great-keyaki\/#The_inn_of_sincerity_-Hoshinoi\" >The inn of sincerity -Hoshinoi-<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-great-keyaki-of-hachiman-and-the-water-of-longevity\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Great_Keyaki_of_Hachiman_and_the_Water_of_Longevity\"><\/span>What Are the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you visit Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, two must-see spots are the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity, both located in Shimog\u014d Town. The Great Keyaki is a massive zelkova tree nearly 1,000 years old, regarded as a natural treasure of the region. The Water of Longevity is a famous spring that flows from the foot of Takakura Mountain, and, as its name suggests, it has long been believed that drinking this water brings long life. Both sites are situated in the Nakayama area along the Shimono Highway (Aizu Nishi Kaid\u014d), a route historically traveled by feudal lords during the Edo period, and have been cherished by travelers and locals alike for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC02335-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2507\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-liquid-speech-balloon liquid-speech-balloon-wrap liquid-speech-balloon-01\"><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-avatar\"><\/div><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-text\"><p>The Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity are only about 5 minutes apart by car, making it easy to visit both and experience the majesty of nature in this historic region.<\/p><div class=\"liquid-speech-balloon-arrow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-thousand-year-old-zelkova-and-shimogo-towns-hidden-spring\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Thousand-Year-Old_Zelkova_and_Shimogo_Towns_Hidden_Spring\"><\/span>A Thousand-Year-Old Zelkova and Shimog\u014d Town\u2019s Hidden Spring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC02302-2-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2679\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Great Keyaki of Hachiman<\/strong>, estimated to be around 1,000 years old, stands majestically along the prefectural road, reaching a height of approximately 34.5 meters with a trunk circumference of about 12 meters. Looking up at this giant zelkova, comparable in height to a 12-story building, you can\u2019t help but be awed by its massive trunk, sprawling branches, and sheer presence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tree exudes a sacred, timeless atmosphere, reflecting the millennium it has stood through, and the surrounding area feels quietly solemn and serene. While the trunk bears a large hollow that hints at its ancient age, its branches remain lush and green, demonstrating remarkable vitality. In autumn, the Keyaki\u2019s golden leaves create a breathtaking contrast against the surrounding mountains\u2019 fall foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC02329-2-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2680\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearby, <strong>the Water of Longevity <\/strong>springs forth from the base of Mount Takakura, at an altitude of 1,308 meters. The clear, fresh water flows abundantly year-round, maintaining a constant supply. With a temperature of around 10\u00b0C (50\u00b0F), the water is cool, smooth, and remarkably easy to drink.<br><br>The spring is equipped with a wooden sign and a well-maintained water collection area, allowing visitors to freely taste the water or fill containers to take home. Refreshing yourself with this pristine spring water is sure to revitalize you during your journey and provide a memorable experience in Shimog\u014d Town.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"spot-middle-banner-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/33522164_l-scaled.webp\"\/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"highlights-of-the-great-keyaki-of-hachiman-and-the-water-of-longevity\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Highlights_of_The_Great_Keyaki_of_Hachiman_and_the_Water_of_Longevity\"><\/span>Highlights of The Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n  <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives\">\n    <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__list\">\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"1\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02279-1.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"1\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02279-1.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e815bb0a80bc4dd1935919a4cf8539662c56ffb5bf4e56085e427a3bad2eaab2?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>HoshiAoi<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">A Great Tree That Radiates Powerful Energy<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n              <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item\">\n          <div class=\"item-col\" data-offer=\"2\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02316-1.webp\" alt=\"\">\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal\" data-offer=\"2\">\n          <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives__item-modal__content\">\n            <div class=\"spot-nearby-attractives-image\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02316-1.webp\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment\">\n              <div class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__author\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e815bb0a80bc4dd1935919a4cf8539662c56ffb5bf4e56085e427a3bad2eaab2?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\" alt=\"\">\n                <span>HoshiAoi<\/span>\n              <\/div>\n              <p class=\"nearby-attractives-comment__desc\">Delicious, Refreshingly Cold Water All Year Round<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recommended-ways-to-enjoy-your-visit\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recommended_Ways_to_Enjoy_your_Visit\"><\/span>Recommended Ways to Enjoy your Visit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity are located very close to each other, making it easy to visit both in a short amount of time. Start by stopping at the Keyaki along the prefectural road to admire its majestic presence up close. From there, it\u2019s only about a 5-minute drive uphill to reach the Water of Longevity. The scenic route itself is beautiful, offering views of Minamiaizu\u2019s lush natural landscapes from the car.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2687\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/31882562_l-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2687\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2686\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/27821439_l-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2686\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Each season brings a unique charm to the Great Keyaki of Hachiman. From spring to summer, the tree is covered in fresh green leaves, and the cool shade provides a refreshing respite on hot days. In autumn, the Keyaki turns golden, creating a spectacular backdrop alongside the surrounding mountains\u2014an ideal photo spot. During winter, the bare branches of the Keyaki stand majestically against a snowy landscape, evoking the serene beauty of an ink painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-right\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2688\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MG_0599-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2688\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-vk-image-photoFrame-tilt-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"2689\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ryokan-book.com\/jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MG_8765-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2689\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearby attractions include \u014cuchi-juku, a famous Edo-period post town connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu and Nikko. It\u2019s a great idea to combine a stroll through \u014cuchi-juku with visits to the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity, which are about 20 minutes by car from \u014cuchi-juku. This makes for a fulfilling trip where you can enjoy both Aizu\u2019s rich culture and natural beauty in a single outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"spot-information\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spot_Information\"><\/span>Spot Information<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Spot Name\uff1aGreat Keyaki of Hachiman \/ Water of Longevity (Takakura-yama Spring)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open Hours\u30fbClosed Days\uff1aOpen to the public 24 hours \/ Open year-round<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fee\uff1aFree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parking\uff1aNo dedicated parking; roadside spaces available nearby<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Access\"><\/span>Access<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3173.9665412954587!2d139.84488919999998!3d37.2959268!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x601fe4cf53de003d%3A0x9d69835c27f79628!2z5Lit5bGx44Gu5YWr5bmh44Gu5aSn44Kx44Ok44Kt!5e0!3m2!1sja!2sjp!4v1765883499882!5m2!1sja!2sjp\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Address\uff1aNakayama, Shimog\u014d Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By car\uff1aapprox. 15 min from Aizu-Shimog\u014d Station (Aizu Railway)\/By car: approx. 20 min from \u014cuchi-juku<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MG_8934.webp);\">\n        <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-banner-header\">\n                <h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recommended_Nearby_Ryokans\"><\/span>Recommended Nearby Ryokans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-info\">\n                <div class=\"pickup-ryokan-titleset\">\n                    <h3 class=\"pickup-ryokan-name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_inn_of_sincerity_-Hoshinoi\"><\/span>The inn of sincerity -Hoshinoi-<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"pickup-ryokan-description\">The inn is renowned for its heartfelt hospitality, natural hot springs with free-flowing water from Yunokami Onsen available 24 hours a day, and homemade dishes featuring local ingredients, including the signature simmered potatoes. Guests can also enjoy the \u014cuchi-juku Night Tour guided by the inn\u2019s owner. With its warm, homey atmosphere, about 70% of visitors return, making it truly a place where \u201conce you come, you\u2019ll want to come back again.\u201d<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <a class=\"pickup-ryokan-button text-white bg-brand\" href=\"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/ryokan\/hoshinoi\/\">View More ><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Are the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity? If you visit Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, two must-see spots are the Great Keyaki of Hachiman and the Water of Longevity, both located in Shimog\u014d Town. The Great Keyaki is a massive zelkova tree nearly 1,000 years old, regarded as a natural treasure of the region. The Water of Longevity is a famous spring that flows from the foot of Takakura Mountain, and, as its name suggests, it has long been believed that drinking this water brings long life. Both sites are situated in the Nakayama area along the Shimono Highway (Aizu Nishi Kaid\u014d), a route historically traveled by feudal lords during the Edo period, and have been cherished by travelers and locals alike for centuries. A Thousand-Year-Old Zelkova and Shimog\u014d Town\u2019s Hidden Spring The Great Keyaki of Hachiman, estimated to be around 1,000 years old, stands majestically along the prefectural road, reaching a height of approximately 34.5 meters with a trunk circumfere<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1851,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"area":[2],"purpose":[],"ryokan-tags":[136],"spot-category":[],"class_list":["post-1634","spot","type-spot","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","area-aizu","ryokan_tag-aizu"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot\/1634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spot"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area?post=1634"},{"taxonomy":"purpose","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purpose?post=1634"},{"taxonomy":"ryokan_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ryokan-tags?post=1634"},{"taxonomy":"spot-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryokan-book.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot-category?post=1634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}