Certain [camphor] trees in Japan are considered sacred. An example of the importance of a sacred tree is the 700-year old camphor growing in the middle of Kayashima Station. Locals protested against moving the tree when the railway station had to be expanded, so the station was built around
Im no tree expert, but if its japan, it might be a camphor tree ? The way the branchs are angled looks similar https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphora_officinarum
I believe that you’re right. This was outside of a temple.