1Sounji Temple

A famous cherry blossom spot known only to those in the know, where you can encounter rare varieties

Sounji Temple, located close to Hakone-Yumoto Station, is a historic temple that has been in existence since the Muromachi period. The contrast between the stately main hall and the cherry blossoms is wonderful, and it is well known among locals as a cherry blossom viewing spot. Every year, from around the end of March, the two weeping cherry trees in the temple grounds bloom with bright pink flowers, followed by the pale pink Somei Yoshino cherry trees and the clear white Oshima cherry trees. Then, in mid-April, the rare Gyoiko (Goiko) cherry trees, with their pale greenish flowers, begin to bloom, and for about half a month, the various cherry blossoms will be a delight to the eye.

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

Sounji Temple has a history of prosperity as the family temple of the Odawara Hojo clan, and is designated as a cultural asset of Hakone Town due to its many valuable documents and portraits. If you stroll through the temple grounds decorated with various cherry blossoms, you can see the main hall and bell tower, which were rebuilt in the Edo period, as well as the bell made in the Kamakura period, so you can enjoy both cherry blossom viewing and history.

[Blooming season] Usually late March
[Best time to see] Early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Weeping cherry, Somei-Yoshino, Oshima cherry, Gyoiko

2Miyagino Hayakawa embankment

Take a stroll beneath the cherry blossoms in full bloom, listening to the murmuring of the river

Miyagino Onsen is one of the 17 hot hot spring in Hakone. The cherry blossom trees here are the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hakone. The 500m long line of about 120 large Somei-Yoshino trees, each about 70 years old, is mesmerizingly beautiful. You can enjoy an elegant stroll while listening to the murmuring of the river and feeling the refreshing spring breeze.
In addition, along National Route 138, which runs right next to Hayakawa River, there is a row of weeping cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry trees that stretches for 300 meters, and the contrast between the deep pink of the weeping cherry trees and the pale pink of the Somei Yoshino cherry trees is stunning.

Enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night

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 at this time. During this period, the cherry blossom trees along the Hayakawa River and the national highway are lit up at night, creating a gorgeous and fantastical landscape. Another fun thing you can only enjoy at this time of year is being able to experience the completely different atmospheres during the day and at night.

[Blooming season] Late March to early April
[Best time to see] Early to mid-April
[Type of cherry blossom] Somei Yoshino

▼桜ライトアップ
日時：2025年4月1日（火）～下旬頃  18:00～21:00
場所：早川沿いの堤(ソメイヨシノ)
備考：https://www.instagram.com/miyaginokiga/

3Ohiradai

Weeping cherry blossoms brightly decorating the area along the railway tracks

The Hakone Tozan Railway, which climbs the mountain on switchbacks from Hakone-Yumoto Station, is a great supporting character for your trip to Hakone. 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 area around Ohiradai Station is especially dense with weeping cherry trees. Around 100 weeping cherry trees bloom along the tracks, and their pink flowers adorn the train windows.

[Blooming season] Mid to late March
[Best time to see] Late March to early April
[Type of cherry blossom] Weeping cherry

4Onshi Hakone Park

Various cherry blossoms compete with Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji in the background

Onshi Hakone Park, which spreads out on Togashima Island, a peninsula-like island jutting out into Lake Ashi, is famous as the place to enjoy the latest cherry blossom viewing in Hakone. Various types of cherry trees are planted in the vast park, which is about the size of 3.4 Tokyo Domes, but the most numerous of them, with 250 trees, are mamezakura (small cherry trees). This type of cherry tree is commonly seen around Mt. Fuji and Hakone, and produces slightly smaller flowers.
Gotenbazakura (Gotenba cherry blossoms) are also one of the cherry blossoms that can be seen in the area around Mt. Fuji, and are characterized by pale pink flowers that cover the entire branch. Hakone Onshi Park is the only place where you can view Mt. Fuji along with these cherry blossoms.

We also recommend relaxing and enjoying the view from the teahouse.

This land was once the site of the Hakone Rikyu, built by the Imperial Household Agency for the imperial family to escape the summer heat and for foreign dignitaries. As a result, the central plaza has a lakeside observation deck that exudes the atmosphere of a rikyu, and from the teahouse Ryokushian on the second floor, you can enjoy matcha or coffee while taking in the view of Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji, and the Gotenbazakura in full bloom. As there are many types of cherry blossoms, the flower viewing season is relatively long, with Somei-Yoshino and Mame-zakura cherry blossoms from mid- to late April, and Oshima-zakura and Gotenba-zakura cherry blossoms from mid-April to early May.

[Blooming season] Early to mid-April
[Best time to see] Mid to late April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Mame-zakura, Gotenba-zakura, Oshima-zakura

5Hakone Gora Park

You can enjoy about 10 kinds of cherry blossoms, including rare varieties.

Hakone Gora Park is Japan's first French-style formal garden, where you can enjoy flowers of all seasons. Boasting a history of over 100 years since its opening, it is a representative park in Hakone. There are 50 cherry trees of about 10 varieties scattered around the park, with the early-blooming Kawazuzakura and Okamezakura cherry trees changing color from mid-March, and the later-blooming Shidarezakura and Yamazakura cherry trees reaching their peak in mid-April. Among them you can also see Yaemamezakura, one of only three in the Hakone mountains.
We recommend the terrace seats at Cafe PIC, located halfway up the park, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the cherry blossoms and the fountain.

[Blooming season] Mid-March to early April
[Best time to see] Late March to mid-April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Kawazuzakura, Okamezakura, Shidarezakura, Yamazakura, Yaemamezakura, etc.

Hakone Gora Park

• http://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/gorapark/
• 1300 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 1 minute walk from Hakone Tozan Cable Car Koen-Shita Station (Main Gate), Approximately 1 minute walk from Koen-Kami Station (West Gate)
• Take the bus from Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone Yumoto Station or Gora Station and get off at Gora Park
• 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
  Cafe PIC 10:00〜16:00(LO15:30)
  *Opening hours may change depending on weather, maintenance, etc.
• Open all year round *May be closed temporarily due to weather, maintenance, etc.
• Adults: 650 yen, elementary school students and younger: free
  * Re-entry on the same day or the next day is possible (please present your receipt at the reception desk)
• 0460-82-2825
• Paid

6Chokozan Shotaiji Temple

The magnificent weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom are a sight to behold.

Shotaiji Temple is the family temple of the Inaba clan, who were lords of Odawara during 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, designated as a natural monument by Odawara City and selected as one of the "100 Famous Trees of Kanagawa." It is said to have been planted in 1669 (Kanbun 9) by the second lord of the domain, Inaba Masanori, as a memento of spring to mourn the souls of his parents and grandmother, Kasuga no Tsubone, and is approximately 350 years old. The tree is approximately 13m tall and has a wide branch spread of approximately 13m in diameter, and when in full bloom it looks as beautiful as a giant umbrella.

[Blooming season] Mid-March to early April
[Best time to see] Late March to mid-April
[Type of cherry blossom] Weeping cherry