A Unique Apple Tree Avenue in Central Iida
The street itself extends for approximately 1 kilometer, while the section planted with apple trees covers about 450 meters. Iida City Zoo stands at the southern end, while Ōmiya Shrine is located toward the northern end.
Near a distinctive clock tower called Humming Pal, the character of the street changes. The northern section is lined with cherry trees, creating a particularly beautiful spring landscape where visitors can enjoy both apple and cherry blossoms in the same area.
An Avenue Cared for by Local Students
What makes Iida Apple Tree-lined Street especially unusual is that the trees are not simply ordinary municipal street trees. They were originally planted by students of Iida Higashi Junior High School, who have continued to care for them for more than 70 years.
Students take part in activities throughout the year, including fertilizing, pruning, weeding, and harvesting. This remarkable tradition has allowed successive generations of students to maintain the avenue and pass its story on to the next generation.
Born from the Recovery After the Iida Great Fire
The story of the apple-lined street begins with a devastating event. On April 20, 1947, Iida was struck by a massive fire known as the Iida Great Fire. Approximately three-quarters of the city’s urban area was destroyed.
In response to the disaster, plans were developed to create wider roads that could also function as firebreaks, helping prevent a similar catastrophe in the future. As part of this reconstruction project, students from Iida Higashi Junior High School planted 40 young apple trees in the central median of the new road.
The students planted the trees with the hope of creating “a beautiful town where the apples shine.” This simple act became the foundation of today’s apple-lined street and eventually helped establish Iida’s identity as a city associated with apple trees.
A Tradition Passed Down Through Generations
Since the school’s founding, a student organization known as the Namiki Committee has played a central role in caring for the trees. Students participate in fertilizing, pruning, removing weeds, and harvesting the apples as part of an ongoing annual cycle of stewardship.
“Apples of Love” Shared with the Community
The harvested apples are enjoyed by the students as part of their school meals, while some are distributed free of charge to elementary and junior high schools and welfare facilities throughout Iida. Known as “Apples of Love,” these fruits represent the community spirit that has grown alongside the trees.
In the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, apples were also sent to affected communities as a gesture of encouragement and support.
From a Roadside Planting to a Pedestrian-Friendly Street
As Iida developed, the apple-lined street also underwent changes. From the 1960s onward, the rapid spread of automobiles made it increasingly difficult to maintain a landscape in which cars and apple trees could coexist. Nevertheless, local residents and students continued working to preserve the avenue.
Over time, however, many of the trees became old and their vitality declined. In response, Iida City launched new improvement projects to ensure that the avenue could be enjoyed by future generations.
A Community-Led Town Planning Project
In the 2000s, Iida Higashi Junior High School joined forces with 15 local civic organizations to establish the “Apple Tree-lined Street Town Development Forum.” The groups worked together to create an avenue that could continue to serve as a source of local pride for generations to come.
In 1999, the entire avenue was redeveloped as a park and transformed into a pedestrian-priority space without a strict separation between the sidewalk and roadway. Benches and water facilities were also installed, and the street is now enjoyed as a pleasant place for walking as well as a route used by local students.
Attractions Around the Apple-lined Street
The southern end of the avenue is home to Iida City Zoo, a popular destination for families. Nearby is the Iida City Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum, which displays works by Kihachiro Kawamoto, one of Japan’s leading puppet animation artists.
This makes the area an enjoyable place to combine nature, culture, and a leisurely city walk. As you stroll beneath the trees, the changing scenery of the seasons reveals another side of Iida and its close connection with the local community.
National Recognition for a “Road of Apples”
Iida Apple Tree-lined Street has received national recognition for both its beauty and the remarkable community activities that have sustained it.
In 1986, it was selected as one of the 100 Best Roads in Japan by the former Ministry of Construction. In 2002, it was selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Soundscape and Fragrant Landscapes of Japan. The area’s community efforts were also recognized with the Beautiful Shinshu Landscape Development Achievement Award in 2001.
The educational activities surrounding the apple trees have received further recognition, including the Hakuhodo Award and the Minister of Education Encouragement Award. In 2016, the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited the avenue and observed the students’ activities.
A Living Symbol of Iida’s Past and Future
After more than 70 years, Iida Apple Tree-lined Street remains deeply connected to the people of the city. Its appearance changes beautifully with the seasons: blossoms in spring, fresh green leaves in summer, ripening apples in autumn, and snow-covered branches in winter.
The avenue began as part of a fire-prevention and reconstruction project, but it has grown into something much more meaningful. It has nurtured education, community connections, local pride, and cultural identity while continuing to serve as a pleasant urban space.
More than just a line of roadside trees, it can be seen as a road connecting Iida’s history with its future. Walking along the avenue offers visitors a quiet opportunity to sense the city’s story of recovery and the pride of the people who have cared for it across generations.
When visiting Iida, take some time to stroll along this gentle, picturesque avenue. Surrounded by flowers, greenery, and apples depending on the season, you may feel as though you have stepped into a quiet story about a city, its people, and their hopes for the future.