In Japan, thujopsis was one of the “Five Sacred Trees of Kiso,” whose felling was prohibited in the 1700s. The trees were reserved for use by the Emperor and his family, and for building temples. In its native range, extending as far as southern Hokkaido, the tree grows at mid-level on mountain slopes.
Thujopsis in Finland is mainly seen as cut greenery in wreaths and bouquets. It grows outdoors on the south coast, eventually reaching several metres high. Inland, it can be frozen in colder winters down to the snow line. At Mustila there are several old shrubs which have reached 1-1,5m high, and two which are tree-like in habit. Their protected situation seems to have helped them to survive the winters.