Torreya nucifera is a slow-growing, coniferous tree native to southern Japan and to South Korea's Jeju Island.

The leaves are evergreen, needle-like, 2–3 cm long and 3 mm broad, with a sharply spined tip and two whitish stomatal bands on the underside; they are spirally arranged, but twisted at the base to lie horizontally either side of the stem.

In Japanese esoteric Buddhism like Shingon, the leaves of the tree as well as the oil extracted have ritual uses.

The seeds are edible and are eaten roasted as a snack, like that of Torreya grandis, and also pressed for their vegetable oil content.

Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first feudal lord of Owari, and thus the castle, is said to have decorated his dinner tray with torreya nuts from this tree before going into battle in Osaka, and later for New Year's celebrations.