Nukui Hachiman's milking ginkgo (city-designated natural monument)

The Kawauchi area where Nukui Hachiman is located is surrounded by the Ota River and the Furukawa River, and has been hit by frequent floods since ancient times. In recent years, while fields have been turned into residential areas one after another, this area alone retains its former appearance. In the grounds of Nukui Hachiman, there is a large ginkgo tree that is affectionately called "Chichika-ri-Icho" by the people. Not only is this tree large, but it also has a strange appearance with many stalagmites hanging from its trunk, which are shaped like stalactites hanging from the ceiling of a limestone cave. Stalactites are a rare phenomenon seen in old, large ginkgo trees, and sometimes the long stalagmites reach the ground and act like roots. It is said that about 12 species of ginkgo trees existed around the world about 150 million years ago, but today only one species survives in Japan, Korea, and China. Moreover, ginkgo trees are not found growing naturally in Japanese forests, and are often planted at shrines and temples, so it is believed that they were brought to Japan from China. Location: 5-3-1 Kawauchi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City, within the grounds of Nukui Hachiman Shrine Date of designation: March 12, 1979 Summary: Female tree, tree height approx. 24m, root circumference 5.25m, trunk circumference at eye level 4.3m, branch spread 9.5m east, 7m west, 6.5m south, 10m north