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Soun-ji Temple

A hidden gem of a cherry blossom viewing spot where you can also encounter rare varieties

Sounji Temple, located near Hakone-Yumoto Station, is a historic temple dating back to the Muromachi period. Known well by locals as a cherry blossom viewing spot, the contrast between the dignified main hall and the cherry blossoms is magnificent. Every year from around the end of March, two weeping cherry trees (beni-shidare-zakura) in the temple grounds bloom with vivid pink flowers, followed by the pale pink Somei Yoshino and the pure white Oshima cherry blossoms. Then, around mid-April, the rare pale green Gyoiko cherry blossoms begin to bloom, allowing you to enjoy various cherry blossoms for about half a month.

Numerous precious cultural assets to enjoy while cherry blossom viewing

Sounji Temple has a history of flourishing as the family temple for successive generations of the Odawara Hojo clan, and because it houses many valuable documents and portraits, it has been designated as a cultural property of Hakone Town. If you take a walk through the grounds colored by various cherry blossoms, you can also see the main hall and bell tower rebuilt in the Edo period, as well as a bell made in the Kamakura period, allowing you to enjoy both cherry blossom viewing and history.

[Blooming Period] Typically late March
[Best Viewing Time] Typically early April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Beni-shidare-zakura, Somei Yoshino, Oshima cherry, Gyoiko

Local
Supporter

The collaboration between the blooming cherry blossoms and the historical buildings is wonderful.

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Miyagino Hayakawa River Embankment

Stroll under the cherry blossoms in full bloom while listening to the murmuring of the river

Miyagino Onsen is counted as one of the seventeen hot springs of Hakone. Its row of cherry trees is the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hakone. Stretching for about 500 meters along the Hayakawa River, the sight of approximately 120 large, 70-year-old Somei Yoshino cherry trees lined up in a row is breathtakingly beautiful. You can enjoy an elegant stroll while feeling the murmuring of the river and the refreshing spring breeze.
In addition, along National Route 138, which runs right next to the Hayakawa River, there is a 300-meter-long row of weeping cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry trees, where the contrast between the deep pink of the weeping cherry trees and the pale pink of the Somei Yoshino is magnificent.

Enjoy the cherry blossoms at night, illuminated by lights

The best time to see the cherry blossoms in Miyagino is from early to mid-April, and the "Cherry Blossom Festival Illumination" is held every year during this period. During the event, the rows of cherry trees along the Hayakawa River and the national highway are illuminated at night, creating a gorgeous and fantastical landscape. Enjoying the completely different atmospheres during the day and at night is a pleasure unique to this season.

[Flowering period] Usually late March to early April
[Best time to see] Usually early to mid-April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei Yoshino

▼Cherry Blossom Illumination
Date and time: April 1 (Tue) - April 12 (Sun), 2026
18:00 - 21:00
Location: Embankment along the Hayakawa River (Somei Yoshino)
Remarks: https://www.instagram.com/miyaginokiga/

Local
Supporter

Not only are the cherry blossoms in full bloom a sight to behold, but the falling petals, known as sakura fubuki, are also a highlight.

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Ohiradai

Weeping cherry trees colorfully decorating the railway tracks

The Hakone Tozan Railway, which climbs the mountain from Hakone-Yumoto Station using switchbacks, is a great supporting actor for your Hakone trip. Many weeping cherry trees are planted along this line, and from late March to mid-April, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while riding the train. The weeping cherry trees are particularly dense around Ohiradai Station. About 100 weeping cherry trees bloom along the tracks, and their pink flowers color the train windows.

[Flowering period] Usually mid to late March
[Best time to see] Usually late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Weeping cherry tree

Local
Supporter

This is a cherry blossom viewing spot that you can enjoy even from inside the train. You will race through a landscape colored in cherry blossom pink!

4
Onshi-Hakone Park

A variety of cherry blossoms compete for attention with Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji in the background

Onshi-Hakone Park, which spreads across Togashima, a peninsula-like projection into Lake Ashi, is famous as the place where you can enjoy the latest cherry blossom viewing in Hakone. Various cherry trees are planted throughout the vast park, which is about 3.4 times the size of the Tokyo Dome, but the most numerous are the 250 Mamezakura (Fuji cherry trees). These are cherry trees often seen around Mt. Fuji and in Hakone, and they bloom with slightly smaller flowers.
Also, the Gotembazakura (Gotemba cherry) is another type of cherry tree found in the Mt. Fuji area, characterized by its branches full of pale pink flowers. Being able to view Mt. Fuji along with these cherry blossoms is something unique to Onshi-Hakone Park.

Relaxing and viewing them from a teahouse is also recommended

This land was once home to the Hakone Imperial Villa, built by the Imperial Household Agency for the summer retreats of the Imperial Family and for guests from abroad. For this reason, the central plaza features the Lakeside Observation Building, which retains the atmosphere of the villa. From the tea house "Ryokushian" on the second floor, you can enjoy matcha or coffee while gazing at Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji, and the blooming Gotembazakura. Because there are many types of cherry trees, the cherry blossom season is relatively long; Someiyoshino and Mamezakura can be enjoyed from mid-to-late April, and Oshimazakura and Gotembazakura from mid-April to early May.

[Flowering period] Usually early to mid-April
[Best time to see] Usually mid-to-late April
[Types of cherry trees] Someiyoshino, Mamezakura, Gotembazakura, Oshimazakura

Local
Supporter

You can see scenery that looks just like a postcard.

5
Hakone Gora Park

You can enjoy about 10 different types of cherry blossoms, including rare varieties

Hakone Gora Park is Japan's first French-style formal garden where you can enjoy flowers of the four seasons. Boasting a history of over 100 years, it is one of Hakone's representative parks. Early-blooming Kawazuzakura and Okamezakura begin to color around mid-March, and about 50 trees of approximately 10 varieties are scattered throughout the park until mid-April, when the late-blooming Shidarezakura and Yamazakura are at their best. Among them, you can even see the Yaemamezakura, of which there are only three in the Hakone mountains.
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.

[Flowering period] Usually mid-March to early April
[Best time to see] Usually late March to mid-April
[Types of cherry trees] Kawazuzakura, Okamezakura, Shidarezakura, Yamazakura, Yaemamezakura, etc.

Hakone Gora Park

• 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 1-minute walk from Koen-shimo Station on the Hakone Tozan Cable Car (Main Gate), or approx. 1-minute walk from Koen-kami Station (West Gate)
• Take the bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station or Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at "Gora Koen" (immediately upon arrival)
• 9:00–17:00 (Last admission 16:30)
  Cafe PIC 10:00–16:00 (L.O. 15:30)
  *Operating hours may change due to weather, maintenance, etc.
• Open all year round *May be temporarily closed due to weather, maintenance, etc.
• Adults 650 yen, elementary school students and younger free
  *Re-entry allowed on the same day and the following day (please present your receipt at the ticket window)
• 0460-82-2825
• Paid

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Chokozan Shotai-ji Temple

The weeping cherry tree with its magnificent, proud branches is breathtaking

Shotai-ji Temple is the family temple of the Inaba clan, who were the lords of the Odawara Domain in the early Edo period. At the entrance to the graveyard where the Inaba clan and Kasuga no Tsubone rest, there is a weeping cherry tree that has been designated as a natural monument by Odawara City and selected as one of the "100 Notable Trees of Kanagawa." It is said that the second lord, Masanori Inaba, planted it in 1669 to mourn the spirits of his parents and his grandmother, Kasuga no Tsubone, as a "memento to never forget the spring." The tree is approximately 350 years old, stands about 13 meters tall, and has a branch spread of about 13 meters in diameter, creating a beautiful sight that looks like a giant floral umbrella when in full bloom.

[Flowering Period] Mid-March to early April annually
[Best Time to View] Late March to mid-April annually
[Cherry Tree Variety] Weeping Cherry