During the Meiji Era however, the Japanese government passed policies which popularized Shintoism (the native Japanese religion of nature worship) and boycotted Buddhism. Thus the Nyakutakuji Temple was destroyed in 1871, leaving only the small sub-temples. Later, people tried to rebuild the temple, but they failed because of lack of support. Some of the buildings that remained were transferred to different locations, and now all that remains is a stone fence. Among the Nyakutakuji Temple Ruins, there is a Japanese cedar called "Shinobu-suji". Local legend says that this tree can hear a couple's secret wish for marriage.