Kasuga shrine

Haruki-cho area in Minami-Matsuo used to be a Shoen ,manor of Kasuga-taisha shrine called “Haruki-no-sho” in the Middle Ages. Kasuga shrine in Haruki is in the place where its “Shokan” (a mansion) used to be.

Maki (a podocarp) in the shrine office and common camellia in the backyard are both designated as natural treasures designated by Osaka Prefecture. Maki with 14m in height and 2.1m trunk girth is more than 300 years old and its nuts bearing in autumn is said to have divine favor for the state of perfect health of boys.

It is said that people used to keep it for praying state of perfect health for girls by weaving flower wreath with these light pink petals of common camellias in spring.