When I looked closely, I found that my village actually has a surprisingly historic temple and a ginkgo tree!

The other day, on my way back from buying vegetables from a farmer, I was looking around curiously and realized that the village I live in actually has a temple with 500 years of history and a 400-year-old ginkgo tree.

This temple is called Kannon-ji.

The giant ginkgo tree in the temple grounds is 400 years old.

It has been well protected for 400 years.

Every year, it bears many ginkgo nuts, and the temple shares them with the people in the neighborhood.

For some reason, this year alone, the size of the ginkgo nuts is less than half of what it usually is.

The cause is unknown.

Because of that, no one has come to pick them.

Looking up at the now-bare ginkgo tree, I thought to myself:

It's true that the darkest place is under the candlestick!

I need to live my daily life observing my surroundings more carefully.

Even though I am a villager, I have been living far too indifferently regarding the history and nature of my own village.

From now on, I will reflect on this and try to live a richer daily life.

"When I looked closely, I found that my village actually has a surprisingly historic temple and a ginkgo tree!"

1 - Sunday, December 14, 2025 (Reiwa 7) - Rain, then clear