The northernmost tea plant in the world

Zengenji Temple is located in Furubira Town on the Shakotan Peninsula on the Sea of ​​Japan side of western Hokkaido at 43 degrees 15 minutes north latitude. Not many people know that there is a tea tree in the courtyard of the temple's main gate.

It all began in 1910 when Gakuten Akita came from Aichi Prefecture as the head priest of Zengenji Temple and brought tea seedlings with him and planted them.
As you enter the temple gate, you will find it quietly planted in the garden on the right.

The problem was probably caused by replanting and moving the tea plants in 1998, and they were on the verge of dying after that, but they have gradually come back to life each time they survive the winter.

2018.9.23
I visited Zengenji Temple.
We were personally welcomed by the head priest, who guided us to the place where the tea trees grow, where we were able to see them.
In the winter it was covered in about two metres of snow, and the weight of the snow made the trunk look crushed, but it still managed to grow beautifully, vibrantly and robustly.
It has been growing steadily for over 100 years in the harsh winter, making it a precious heritage.

I hope he continues to grow up healthy.