Long recognized for its superior timber, Tokuji was chosen as the primary source of wood for the reconstruction of Nara’s iconic Todai-ji Temple. Even today, the region remains a sanctuary for massive, ancient trees. On this tour, you don’t need to venture deep into the wilderness to encounter these living monuments—some boasting root circumferences of over 10 meters. You will visit three legendary sites: the Grand Cedar of Ninomiya (a City Natural Monument), the Great Ginkgo of Myoken-sha (a Prefectural Natural Monument), and the Kojii (Castanopsis) of Katasako. For centuries, these silent giants have watched over this rural landscape, and standing before them, you can almost hear the whispered stories of the ages.