The Cypress Tree at the Central Gate of the Danjo Garan Precincts on Mount Koya

It is made from cypress wood used in the construction of the Central Gate of the Danjo Garan, which was rebuilt to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of Koyasan’s founding. The Central Gate of the Danjo Garan is a two-story gate with five chambers and is said to be the first gate built by Kobo Daishi when he founded Koyasan. Trees used for temple construction within the Koyasan precincts are regarded as “sacred trees” and must be carefully protected and nurtured; when temples are rebuilt, only trees over 300 years old are felled to signify their exceptional significance.