1
Sounji Temple

A well-known cherry blossom viewing spot where you can see rare varieties of cherry trees

Sounji Temple, not far from Hakone-Yumoto Station, is a historic temple that has been in existence since the Muromachi period (1336-1573). It is well known as a cherry blossom viewing spot among locals because of the wonderful contrast between the stately main hall and the cherry blossoms. Around the end of March each year, the two benishidare-zakura (weeping cherry trees) on the temple grounds begin to bloom with bright pink blossoms, followed by the light pink someiyoshino (Someiyoshino) and the clear white oshimazakura (Oshima-zakura). Then, around mid-April, the unusual light greenish flowers of the Gyoiko cherry trees begin to bloom, providing a variety of cherry blossoms to delight the eye for about half a month.

A number of valuable cultural assets to enjoy while viewing cherry blossoms

Sounji Temple has a long history as a family temple of the Odawara Hojo clan, and is designated as a cultural asset of Hakone because of its large collection of valuable documents and portraits. A stroll through the temple grounds, decorated with a variety of cherry blossoms, will take you to the main hall and the bell tower, which were rebuilt in the Edo period, as well as to the bell, which was built in the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

Flowering season: Usually late March
Usually in early April.
Cherry blossom types: Benishidare-zakura (weeping cherry), Someiyoshino (Yoshino cherry), Oshima-zakura (cherry), and Gyoikou (cherry tree).

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Miyagino Hayakawa-tsutsumi

Take a walk under the cherry blossoms in full bloom while listening to the murmuring of the river

Miyagino Hot Spring is one of the 17 hot springs in Hakone. The rows of cherry trees here are the most famous hanami spot in Hakone. About 120 large Someiyoshino cherry trees, each about 70 years old, line a 500-meter stretch along the Hayakawa River, and the sight is enchanting. Visitors can enjoy an elegant stroll while feeling the murmur of the river and the fresh spring breeze.
Along Route 138, which runs near the Hayakawa River, there is also a 300-m stretch of weeping cherry trees and Someiyoshino cherry trees. The contrast between the deep pink of the weeping cherry trees and the light pink of the Someiyoshino cherry trees is magnificent.

Enjoy the cherry blossoms at night when they are lit up

The best time to view the cherry blossoms in Miyagino is from early to mid-April, and the "Cherry Blossom Festival Light-up" is held every year during this period. During this period, the cherry trees along the Hayakawa River and the national highway are lit up at night, creating a gorgeous and fantastic scene. The festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy a completely different atmosphere during the daytime and at night.

Blooming season: Usually from late March to early April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually from early April to mid-April.
Type of cherry tree: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Cherry Blossom Light-up
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - late April 18:00 - 21:00
Location：Thyokutei along the Hayakawa River (Someiyoshino)
Remarks: https://www.instagram.com/miyaginokiga/

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Ohiradai

Cherry blossoms along the railroad tracks

The Hakone Tozan Railway, which climbs up the mountain with switchbacks from Hakone-Yumoto Station, plays a supporting role in a trip to Hakone. Many weeping cherry trees are planted along this line, and from late March to mid-April, visitors can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms while riding the train. Especially densely populated with weeping cherry trees is the area around Ohiadai station. About 100 weeping cherry trees bloom along the railroad tracks, their pink blossoms coloring the train windows.

Flowering season: Usually from mid to late March.
Usually from late March to early April.
Cherry blossom type】shidare-zakura (weeping cherry)

4
Hakone Imperial Gift Park

Various cherry blossoms compete with Lake Ashi and Mt.

Hakone Onshi Hakone Park, which stretches across "Togashima," a peninsula jutting out into Lake Ashi, is famous as the place in Hakone where visitors can enjoy the late blooming cherry blossoms the most. The park, which is about 3.4 times the size of Tokyo Dome, is home to a variety of cherry trees, the largest number of which (250) is the mame-zakura (bean cherry). The most abundant cherry tree, with 250 trees, is the Mame-zakura (bean cherry), which is commonly seen around Mt.
Gotemba-zakura (Gotemba cherry) is another type of cherry tree that can be found all around Mt. Fuji, and is characterized by its light pink blossoms that fill the branches. Fuji along with these cherry blossoms can be seen only in Hakone Onshi Park.

Enjoy the view from the teahouse.

This area was once home to Hakone Rikyu, a palace built by the Imperial Household Agency to provide a summer retreat for the Imperial Family and for guests from abroad. The lakeside observation pavilion in the central plaza evokes the atmosphere of the detached palace, and the tea house "Ryokushi-an" on the second floor offers matcha green tea and coffee while enjoying the view of Lake Ashi, Fuji, and the Gotemba cherry trees in full bloom. Because there are many varieties of cherry trees, the cherry blossom viewing season is relatively long. Someiyoshino and mame-zakura can be enjoyed from mid to late April, while oshima-zakura and gotemba-zakura can be enjoyed from mid April to early May.

Flowering season: Usually from early to mid-April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually mid to late April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, Mame cherry trees, Gotemba cherry trees, and Oshima cherry trees.

5
Hakone Gora Park

Enjoy about 10 varieties of cherry blossoms, including rare varieties.

Hakone Gora Park, Japan's first French-style garden, is a place where visitors can enjoy flowers from season to season. The park has been in operation for more than 100 years and is one of Hakone's representative parks. The early-blooming Kawazu-zakura and Okame-zakura cherry trees begin to change color in mid-March, and the late-blooming Shidare-zakura and Yamazakura cherry trees are in full bloom until mid-April, when they are at their best. Some of the cherry trees include the Yaemamezakura, one of only three in the whole of Hakone.
We recommend the terrace seats at Cafe PIC, located in the middle of the park. You can view the beautiful cherry blossoms and the fountain together.

Blooming season: Usually from mid-March to early April.
Best viewing time: Late March to mid-April
Kawazu-zakura, Okame-zakura, Shidare-zakura, Yama-zakura, Yaemame-zakura, etc.

Hakone Gora Park

• 1300 Gora, Hakone-cho, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa MAP
• 1 minute walk from Koenkoshita Station on the Hakone Tozan Cable Car (Main Gate), 1 minute walk from Koenjo Station (West Gate)
• Take a bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station or Gora Station and get off at Gora Koen Bus Stop.
• 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
  Cafe PIC 10:00-16:00(L.O.15:30)
  Opening hours may change depending on weather, maintenance, etc.
• Open year-round *Subject to temporary closure due to weather, maintenance, etc.
• Adults 650 yen, elementary school students and younger free of charge
  Re-entry on the same day or the following day is permitted (please present your receipt at the ticket counter).
• 0460-82-2825
• Charged

6
Chokozan Shoutaiji Temple

The weeping cherry tree with magnificent branches in full bloom is a sight to behold.

Shouta-ji Temple is the family temple of the Inaba clan, the feudal lords of Odawara in the early Edo period. At the entrance to the cemetery where the Inaba clan and Kasuga Bureta are buried, a weeping cherry tree, designated as a natural monument by Odawara City and selected as one of the "100 Famous Trees of Kanagawa," is planted. It is said that the tree was planted in 1669 by Masanori Inaba, the second feudal lord of Odawara, to mourn the souls of his parents and grandmother, Kasuga-no-kochi. The tree is approximately 350 years old. The height of the tree is about 13 m, and its branches are as large as 13 m in diameter. When the tree is in full bloom, it looks beautiful as if a huge umbrella of flowers is spreading.

Flowering season: Usually from mid-March to early April.
Best viewing time】Late March to mid-April every year
Cherry blossom type】shidare-zakura (weeping cherry)