Kokutai-ji Temple, the most prominent ancient temple in eastern Hokkaido, is built as if embraced by Cape Barasan.
The reason Kokutai-ji Temple has been famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot since ancient times may be because Cape Barasan protected it from the harsh winds and waves of the northern sea.

Kokutai-ji Temple is one of the three official temples of Ezo, the establishment of which was decided in the first year of the Bunka era (1804) at the request of the Hakodate Magistrate, amidst a crisis in the northern regions during the late Edo period that included Russia's southward expansion and the adverse effects of the basho ukeoi (trading post contractor) system.

Although most of the existing buildings have been renovated in later periods, the temple grounds retain the atmosphere of the Edo period. As an important temple that played a unique historical role in Ezochi, an area of 130,000 square meters, including Aikappu at the rear, has been designated as a national historic site.

The grounds of Kokutai-ji Temple are one of Hokkaido's most famous cherry blossom spots, and among the trees, an old cherry tree that blooms with particularly deep-colored flowers stands out. It is an ancient tree, over 180 years old, said to have been transplanted from Oshu Ishinomaki (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) by Yamada Bun'emon, the Akkeshi basho ukeoinin (trading post contractor), during the repair of the main hall and priests' quarters in the first year of the Tenpo era (1830), under Bundo Genso, the fifth chief priest of Kokutai-ji Temple. This cherry tree is of the Oyamazakura variety (its Japanese name), is approximately 10 meters tall, has a trunk circumference of about 3 meters, and its long branches spread out in all directions.