Odawara Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Season in Odawara

With the mountains of Hakone on one side and Sagami Bay on the other, Odawara offers a dose of nature for day-trippers from Tokyo. The cherry blossom festival, a series of events at various viewing spots throughout the city, runs from mid-March to May. Different varieties of cherries are in peak bloom throughout the season, so the best place to experience Odawara in the spring will change from week to week.

Odawara Castle Illumination

At the heart of the festival lies Odawara Castle, surrounded with picturesque tunnels of cherry blossom trees. The grounds are open at night, and the pink blooms are spectacular against the castle's architecture when illuminated.

A Link to Japan's Past

Odawara is a big draw for history buffs. It is situated on the Tokaido road, an important Edo Period (1603 - 1868) route connecting Tokyo with Kyoto, which is now a popular hiking route. Along the way, there are many sites of historical significance.

How to get there

35 minutes on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, or about 1 hour and 20 minutes by local train.