Giant Trees of Mita Campus

Image: The Great Ginkgo of Inariyama

Mita Campus has a site area of 50,000 m², of which "green space" accounts for 15,000 m². With 30% of the site covered in greenery, a lush campus environment is maintained in the middle of the city.

Within the green spaces, there are 424 trees with a height of 3 meters or more (including 26 protected trees designated by Minato City), spanning a diverse range of 52 species. Japanese maples are the most numerous at 59, followed by 38 bayberries, 35 cherry trees, and 34 ginkgo trees. Rare trees such as olive and Daphniphyllum macropodum can also be seen. While most of these are planted trees, some species such as ring-cup oak, Sudajii (Castanopsis sieboldii), and Japanese nutmeg-yew appear to be native species, which are rare to find in the city.

Among these, there are 13 trees classified as giant trees with a trunk circumference of 3 meters or more. According to the Ministry of the Environment's standards, giant trees are defined as having a trunk circumference of 3 meters or more at a height of 1.3 meters above the ground. The breakdown of the 13 giant trees at Mita includes 8 ginkgos, 3 camphor trees, 1 Sudajii, and 1 Himalayan cedar. One tree exceeds 6 meters in circumference, and two exceed 4 meters.

The overwhelmingly largest tree on Mita Campus is the Great Ginkgo located behind the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) on Inariyama (hereinafter referred to as "The Great Ginkgo of Inariyama"). With a trunk circumference of 6.5 meters, a height of 22 meters, a branch spread of 16 meters, and an unknown age, it has existed since the Edo period and possesses a majestic presence.

There are several famous giant trees in Tokyo. Even setting aside the "Upside-down Ginkgo" at Zenpuku-ji Temple (a National Natural Monument, 9m circumference, 19m height, estimated 700 years old) as an exceptional case, there are others like the "Great Ginkgo of Hikawa Shrine" in Akasaka (a Ward-designated Natural Monument, 7.5m circumference, 25m height, estimated 400 years old) and the "Kubikake Ginkgo" in Hibiya Park (6.5m circumference, 20m height, estimated 350 years old). Compared to these giants, the Great Ginkgo of Inariyama is a magnificent specimen that holds its own.

Inariyama is the highest point on the Mita site. While the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) stands there now, an Inari shrine was enshrined here during the Edo period when it was the Shimabara Domain residence. It is said that the sea was visible from here, offering a superb view. This Great Ginkgo likely witnessed such scenery. The site became Keio University in 1871, and in 1924, the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) was relocated from the north side of the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration) to its current location. The area around the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) is a verdant spot that has remained miraculously untouched within the campus and escaped damage from air raids.

In addition to the Great Ginkgo of Inariyama, other magnificent giant trees remain, such as the camphor tree in front of the Faculty Research Building (4.7m circumference), the ginkgo next to the Old University Library (4.5m circumference), the ginkgo in the courtyard, and the ginkgo in front of the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration). These giant trees color the campus and stand quietly as they watch over the long history of Keio.