Written by Aarohi Narain
Beautiful as they may be, it’s not all about the somei yoshino. Head to nearby Minami-Ashigara for a peek at stunning harumeki, an early blooming, pale pink variety of cherry blossom that’s worth the trip.
What happens?
Typically in early March each year, harumeki cherry blossoms in Minami-Ashigara City bloom, bringing an early taste of spring to Kanagawa, one of Tokyo’s neighboring prefectures. This locally registered variety is known for its soft pink petals, full blossoms, and sweet fragrance.
At the Haruki Path & Shiawase Path, over 150 cherry trees line a scenic 1.3 km riverside walkway.
Pro tip: Looking for an early cherry blossom escape in Kanagawa? Check out the cheery pink kawazu in Miura-kaigan and Matsuda.
How to get there
From Shinjuku Station, head to Odawara. The fastest route is by Romancecar, which takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. However, you can also take the Shonan-Shinjuku Line Special Rapid and get there in 1 hour and 15 minutes. At Odawara Station, switch to the Izuhakone Tetsudo heading for Daiyuzan. Ride for about 20 minutes and get off at Fuji Film-Mae Station. The Haruki Path is a 6 minute walk from the station.
There’s another spot nearby known for its spectacular show of harumeki. To get there from the Haruki Path, walk about 12 minutes, and take a local bus headed for Sekimoto (関本). Get off at Ashigara High School bus stop and walk about 15 minutes.
The Daiyuzan Sightseeing Bus Tour runs on March 15 and 16, with departures from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The route covers key spots in Minami-Ashigara, including Ichinoseki Harane, Fukuzawa Park, Ashigara Roadside Station, and Tsujishita Ground, home to the Haruki Path & Shiawase Path cherry blossoms, before returning to Daiyuzan Station. See more information here (in Japanese).
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.