Camphor Grove at Nakanobu Elementary School — A Quiet Living Monument
🌳 A Grove Rooted in Community
In 1940, Nakanobu Elementary School planted a lone large camphor tree (大楠, ōkusu) in its courtyard. Then, in 1984, for the school’s 50th anniversary, local staff and alumni planted castanopsis (シイ) trees around it—creating what is known today as “Nakanobu no Mori” (中延の森), the Forest of Nakanobu.
Although the camphor itself is not centuries old, the grove symbolizes both mid‑20th‑century growth and a quiet connection to Ebara’s past, when much of the area was still wooded.
🕰️ Living Link to the Past
Camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora) have long been useful in Japan. Their oil—extracted from bark and leaves—was used as insect repellent, in medicine, in incense, and even in celluloid and early explosives. Because of their hardiness and longevity, people often plant them beside temples and schools.
These trees carry symbolic weight too. In Nagasaki and Hiroshima, camphor trees that survived the atomic bombings now stand as living reminders of resilience. And while Nakanobu’s grove is not that old, it still offers a quiet sense of endurance and calm in our everyday urban life.
🧭 Visitor Information
Address: 2‑15‑16 Nakanobu, Shinagawa‑ku, Tokyo 142‑0053
Best time to visit: Spring through early summer, when foliage is at its fullest.
Admission: Viewable from outside the school fence; school grounds are not open to the public
Official Info: Nakanobu Elementary School
Where is it?
| what3words | ///sung.resolved.seat |
| latitude longitude | 35. |
| Nearest station(s) | Nakanobu Station (Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyu Oimachi Line) Magome Station (Toei Asakusa Line) |
| Nearest public conveniences | Nakanobu shopping street or nearby small park |
Show me a sign.
The Hyakkei sign stands near the school gate, reminding passersby of the grove inside.
Withervee says…
On first impressions, it just looks like a school yard with some trees. But if you look deeper it looks exactly like a school yard with some trees
Why camphor trees matter
Because camphor trees symbolize resilience and healing, people have long planted them in public spaces. The Nakanobu grove shows how an ordinary school sought to honor nature—and its community—through a small act of planting.
Site Character
- Lifestyle 生活 (Seikatsu): ✔️
- Historical Significance 歴史 (Rekishi): ❌
- Atmosphere/Natural Features 風土 (Fūdo): ✔️
Who in their right mind would vote for this?
- Former students and teachers
- Tree watchers and seasonal strollers
- People who like seeing nature through a fence
- Fans of camphor trees and castanopsis groves
- Those who stop and look up
Further reading
Nakanobu Elementary School (Japanese)
While you’re there…
After looking at the trees, you can stray into the nearby covered shopping streets at Nakanobu or Musashikoyama and look at some bargains. This part of Nakanobu offers a calm, everyday slice of Ebara life.
