While the elegantly tall and sturdy Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria, is the national tree of Japan, it is neither a cedar, or truly native to Japan.
They are a unique member of the conifer group, and were actually introduced to Japan about a thousand years ago. That is long ago enough to be a part of the mythology of the country, as well as common usages for every thing from temples to furniture.
As seen in the San Francisco Botanical Garden of Golden Gate Park 4 March 2022.