Kaya (city-designated natural monument)

Deep in the cypress forest on the western slope of Mt. Onigashiro in Asakita Ward, there is a large Kaya tree on the bank of a stream. The base of the tree is closely attached to the Yabu Nikkei shrub, and epiphytes such as Yabutsubaki, Kazura, and Fuji can also be seen on the trunk. The exact age of this tree is not known, but it is thought to be quite old, as it was already listed as a giant tree in the Kabe region in a report submitted to the domain in 1819. There is also a wooden tag with the words ``Mountain God'' written on it hanging on the trunk of the tree. This name was probably given by the people of ancient times who believed in this tree, as it was the ``Yorishiro'' when God descended to earth. The figure that stands strong and rooted even though it is washed by the stream,