10 Best Spots to View Cherry Blossoms in Kanagawa
Kanagawa Sakura Guide: Where to See Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Kanagawa
Springtime in Japan is one of the most wonderful seasons. A time for new beginnings after the cold winter, marked by the arrival of cherry blossoms. This is especially true for Kanagawa Prefecture, because of the abundance of early sakura, bringing the beauty and warmth of spring a little earlier compared to other regions, allowing visitors to enjoy the season for a bit longer as regular sakura varieties start to bloom after the early ones. Which is why Kanagawa is one of the best places in all of Japan for die-hard sakura lovers. This is our selection of places to enjoy the pink blossoms in all their glory:
1. Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle (小田原城) is a national historic site and Odawara City’s main hub for tourism, featuring numerous events throughout the year. But it’s the 300 cherry trees in the park that steal the show and offer a striking backdrop to Odawara Castle’s moat and tower, which was once the seat of power for the Hōjō clan during the Sengoku period. During the sakura season, the park is transformed into a colorful wonderland, lit up with LED lights that change colors with the time of day. This famous spot draws more than 300,000 tourists who flock to witness the annual sakura festival, where visitors can enjoy events such as kimono strolls and a procession of young children. So make sure to stop by on public transportation, you don’t want to spend your day stuck in traffic!
2. Kinugasayama Park
Kinugasayama Park (衣笠山公園) in Yokosuka City, a memorial site for soldiers who died in the Russo-Japanese War, is now home to 2,000 cherry trees and one of the prime spots from Kanagawa Prefecture for enjoying cherry blossoms, making it one of Japan’s 100 best cherry blossom viewing sites. Kinugasa Sakura Festival usually takes place between late to early April. Visitors can enjoy various events during the festival, mostly held on weekends, and take the hiking trail from the park to the 242-meter Mount Ōgusu, the highest peak on the Miura Peninsula. Along the way, you can explore the Kinugasa castle ruins, adding a touch of history to your cherry blossom adventure.
3. Mitsuike Park
Mitsuike Park (三ツ池公園), also known as the “three-pond park,” is a beautiful oasis featuring 78 cherry blossom varieties, including the famous somei yoshino, yokohama hizakura, and okamezakura. The park’s sakuras bloom at different times, offering an extended period of enjoyment. Mitsuike Park is located in Kanagawa Prefecture and is one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots. With over 1,000 cherry trees of various varieties, the park offers an array of bloom times starting as early as mid-February with the cold cherry blossoms. Experience the beauty of the changing seasons at this famous cherry blossom viewing destination.
4. Nishihirabatake Park
At Nishiharabatake Park (西平畑公園) the vibrant Kawazu cherry trees, which are famous for blooming earlier around mid-February, signify the onset of spring. The view of Ashigara Plain, Sagami Bay, and the Hakone mountain range from the garden is breathtaking, not to mention the spectacular views of Fuji framed by sakura, which is the reason why the park’s viewpoint has been recognized as one of the top 100 views of Mt. Fuji. These pink Kawazu cherry blossoms not only bring us joy before the end of winter, but they also have a long blooming period of about 10 days after they reach full bloom. The Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from February 11 to March 12, showcasing the stunning collaboration of pink Kawazu cherry blossoms and yellow rape blossoms, making it a fantastic spectacle.
5. Miura Kaigan Sakura Festival
Experience the beauty of early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and colorful rape blossoms on a scenic 1 km walk from Miura Kaigan Station (三浦海岸駅) to Komatsugaike Park (小松ヶ池公園). The Miura Kaigan Sakura Festival runs from mid-February to mid-March with approximately 1,000 kawazu-zakura trees planted along the railroad, where local products are sold. Stand on the overpass near the station for a unique view of the juxtaposition between the red trains and soft pink flowers. At night, enjoy the fantastic illuminated cherry blossoms that emit a different atmosphere from daytime along the railroad track, making for a spectacular sight.