Jingu Gaien District Urban Redevelopment Project
Jingu Gaien District Urban Redevelopment Project

Conserving the Four Rows of Ginkgo Trees

01Ways to handle at the execution stage

Construction work is carried out carefully to avoid damaging the ginkgo tree roots.

施工イメージ 施工イメージ
[A conceptual image of execution] The execution of work around the root system of the ginkgo trees will be performed carefully, by hand work, for instance, and with the presence of a tree doctor.
Response to be Considered in Execution of Work
  • In executing the work, appropriate measures will be taken with the presence of a tree doctor and so forth, and under their guidance.
  • Water-permeable, root-protecting sheet, etc., will be placed in and around the execution area.
  • As to the soil that is used to backfill the excavated site, we will consider using improved soil, such as bark compost, to promote the growth of the root system.
  • After the backfilling, frequent watering will be carried out.
  • By specifying the area where the roots are confirmed lying below, extra care will be taken so that no heavy machinery will be placed over them, thus lessening the burden on the roots.

02Measures implemented by 2023

  • In the course of engaging in daily management since November 2019, we find that some trees among the Four Rows of Ginkgo Trees have been shedding their leaves earlier than other trees. For this reason, soil improvement and fertilization measures were implemented based on advice from tree doctors and other experts.
    *Demolition of Jingu No. 2 Stadium began in March 2023, but no work has been conducted around the Four Rows of Ginkgo Trees, so changes in the vitality of some of the ginkgo trees are not attributable to the project.
  • In 2023, the following measures were implemented for some ginkgo trees on the west side as part of daily management by Meiji Jingu.
    1) Removal of hedera (ivy) and other plants around the ginkgo trees
    2) Spraying liquid fertilizer around the ginkgo trees
    3) Irrigating around the ginkgo trees

03Measures to remediate the vitality of the trees in 2024

  • In 2024, sprouting was once again confirmed for all of the ginkgo tree rows. From April to June 2024, following consultations with experts, tree doctors, and other specialists, the developers implemented the following measures to remediate the vitality of ginkgo trees.
The scope of measures

01Clearing of hedera and undergrowth

Over the upper layer of the ginkgo tree root system, there is an extremely vigorous growth of hedera. We thoroughly removed this layer of undergrowth, while taking care not to damage any roots, in order to remove the stress on the trees that comes from having to compete for water.

Before clearing
After clearing

02Using water injection to improve soil

Soil survey results have indicated that some of the soil around the trees is in a compacted state. To mitigate this and realize an environment that makes it easier for the ginkgo tree roots to grow, we used water injection to soften the hardened areas, which improved soil quality while avoiding damage to the roots as much as possible.

Water injection

03Laying rice straw mulch

We laid a layer of rice straw mulch on the ground to prevent the soil from drying out, particularly in summer, and to keep it warm in fall and winter.

Before mulching
After mulching

04Installing an irrigation system

We have installed an irrigation system that can provide regular watering automatically in order to ensure the ginkgo tree root system has sufficient water.

Irrigation system
Hose network

05Removing the roadbed of a former road

The roadbed of a former road, which was laid before the current tennis courts were constructed, divides and obstructs the growth of the root system. Therefore, we carefully removed it in a way that does not damage the ginkgo roots and replaced it with good quality soil.

Location of the former road
Before work started
Dismantling of the roadbed of the former road

06Installing wood decking in the shops lining the road passing through the ginkgo tree rows

We removed the interlocking blocks used as flooring for the shop terraces and then carried out water injection to improve soil quality and realize a better environment for the ginkgo tree root system. To prevent it from drying out, we laid rice straw mulch and installed an irrigation system. Above this, we installed raised wooden decking as a way of avoiding stress on the root system from pedestrian foot pressure.

Before installation
After installation

04Remedial measures implemented in 2025

  • In 2025, sprouting was once again confirmed for all of the ginkgo tree rows. In April 2025, following consultations with experts, tree doctors, and other specialists, the developers implemented the following measures to remediate the vitality of ginkgo trees.
The scope of measures

01Using water injection to improve soil

Using the same process as the measures in 2024, we have continued to use water injection to soften the hardened areas, which has improved soil quality while avoiding damage to the roots as much as possible. This has realized an environment that makes it easier for the ginkgo tree roots to grow.

Water injection
Water injection

02Repairing rice straw mulch

We repaired the layer of rice straw mulch that was laid through the measures in 2024 in places where it had been disturbed by the passage of time or the water injection process outlined in 01.

Mulching work
After mulching

03Inspecting the irrigation system

We inspected the irrigation system and hose network installed through the previous measures and confirmed there were no problems.

Inspecting the irrigation system
Confirming water flow through the hoses

05Research to Gauge the Effects of the Remedial Measures

  • We are carrying out the research outlined below to gauge the effects of the remedial measures described in 01 and 02 and to monitor the situation over a long period of time.

01Measuring trunk circumference

In April 2024, we installed dendrometers on eight of the ginkgo trees. Dendrometers are devices for measuring trunk circumference and as the condition of the tree is most noticeable in the trunk, dendrometers can be used to monitor the growth of the ginkgo trees and check if the remedial measures are having an effect. Installing dendrometers has no negative effects on the trees.

After the installation of trunk measuring equipment

02Measuring soil moisture content

We are regularly measuring the moisture content of soil near the westernmost row of ginkgo trees. Through these measurements, we can monitor whether the soil is too wet, appropriately moist, or too dry, as well as whether the timing between watering and the amount of water being used is correct.

Measuring soil moisture content

Overall Greenery Plan

Envisaged Change in the Trees

Current State
1904tree
現況 1904本
After Completion
2304tree
完成後 2304本
*1 Specific details on the location of transplanted and newly planted trees are yet to be determined and may be subject to change.
*2 The number of trees described on this page only covers trees 3.0 meters or taller.
*3 Transplanted trees include 19 trees under consideration for transplantation.
*4 This website contains information about the Jingu Gaien District, including development of the area in front of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. The procedures set forth under the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance do not apply to development of the area in front of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery.

Preservation and Creation of Greenery

Preservation of the Four Rows of Ginkgo Trees

Preserving the Four Rows of Ginkgo Trees and the iconic view of the Gallery seen in from the trees for the benefits of future generations.

Restoration of the Plaza in front of the Gallery

With new rows of trees to be planted in line at the symbolic 2.5-ha square in front of the Gallery, a new plaza will be developed.

Creation of a New Central Plaza

Developing a central plaza between the baseball stadium-- which is annexed with a hotel—and the rugby stadium, thus contributing to an increase in open spaces.

New Woodland

Transplanting existing trees and planting new trees in the neighboring area will create a new woodland that will pair with the wooded area surrounding the iconic hackberry tree, “Gokambei Enoki.”

Green Walkway

Developing a path that is rich with green and will run through the district north to south (to be completed in 2028 or later), thus helping people move around with relative ease in the district.

* The image is a conceptual illustration of the completed site as envisioned in April 2023.

For Everyone to Enjoy Greenery

Our efforts to encourage involvement in creating and enjoying the new greenery of Jingu Gaien District include plans to hold events enlisting community involvement as well as implementation of the Reiwa Tree Donation Program, which involves collecting donations from the public for the development of new green spaces.

Click here for more details
About the event
About the Reiwa Tree Donation Program

Refer to the Documents List page of the website for further information and data.

  • Potential tree species in respective areas
  • Survey data on existing trees
  • Considerations for tree management
  • Assessment council documents
  • Revisions to Plans for Increasing Greenery (announced in September 2024)
*The perspectives and illustrations in this website are conceptual images of the completed project drawn at the planning stage, and are subject to change.