The big ginkgo tree in Shimojo, Minami-oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, is the biggest one in this region. It's about 1,000 years old, 25 meters high and 4 meters in diameter, and is designated as a natural monument. In this connection, Japan's biggest ginkgo tree in Aomori Prefecture is 31 meters high and 7 meters in diameter. When the peak season of autumnal leaves comes around at the beginning of November, it is annually lit up in the night. The visitors can enjoy some cascades while walking around along the esplanade. "Ohketsu" potholes on the horizontal rocks by the stream are also fun to see. As a rain drop makes a hole on a hard rock taking a long stretch of time, spinning pebbles powered by white rapids make a big and deep round hole on the rock beside the water. This natural phenomena is an ohketsu pothole. There are many places known for ohketsu in Japan though, the ones found here are very easy to recognize as ohketsu potholes.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
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