Uomi Cherry blossom

To the west of Yatsushima Shrine, you can't miss the large cherry blossom tree that towers up over the surrounding bamboo forest. Standing near the former residence of Mr. Jonai, who served as the village headman of Tsujima during the Edo period, it is said that the large trunk of the yamazakura tree has been there for more than 400 years.
This cherry blossom tree, which comes in to full bloom earlier than the other sakura in the surrounding area, is nicknamed 'shoya-no-sakura' (the headman's cherry tree) and 'higanzakura' (the cherry tree that blooms around the spring equinox ).
It is also known affectionately by fishers from Beppu Bay as the 'uomi' (fish watch) cherry blossom tree, as the early flowers indicate to fishermen in the area the temperature of the water, and let them know what method is best for casting their nets and catching fish. Yamazakura cherry blossoms do bloom earlier that the standard Yoshino cherry trees. It is recommended to visit in mid-March if you want to catch the full bloom.