After the Chinese New Year, flower-viewing tours kick off across China. From mid-to-late March, Japan will enter its world-famous cherry blossom season. The Japanese call cherry blossom viewing "hanami." When the season arrives, people of all ages across Japan head out as families to have picnics and gatherings under the blooming cherry trees. "Hanami" has become a national pastime for the Japanese. With the depreciation of the yen and the relaxation of visa policies, an increasing number of domestic tourists are choosing to visit Japan to admire the cherry blossoms in spring. But where is the best place in Japan to view them?
When talking about Japan, one cannot fail to mention Mount Fuji, and nearby Hakone at the foot of the mountain is a renowned hot spring destination, famous not only in Japan but around the world. Hakone is home to long-established hot spring resorts such as the "Hakone Seven Hot Springs," and it is also a highly popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. Imagine leisurely soaking in the springs in this scenic tourist destination while admiring the gorgeous blossoms on the trees, with the serene and beautiful Mount Fuji in the background — it’s nothing short of bliss.
Lake Ashi in Hakone with the beautiful view of Mount Fuji
In Hakone, you can see various types of cherry blossoms, such as Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, Edo higan, and mountain cherry. You might wonder how it's possible to see blooming cherry blossoms in distant Hakone, given their short blooming period. But there's no need to worry. The cherry blossom season in Hakone lasts quite long, from late March to late April. The "cherry blossom front" moves from the Hakone-Yumoto area at an altitude of 96m up to the Lake Ashi area at around 720m. This gives visitors over a month to slowly enjoy the blossoms, which is one of the unique features of cherry blossom viewing in Hakone.
As for transportation, there's even less to worry about. It only takes 85 minutes to get from Tokyo’s Shinjuku to Hakone by taking the Odakyu "Romancecar." The Odakyu "Romancecar" is a high-speed train that connects Tokyo with charming sightseeing spots. Passengers can avoid the hassle of waiting and transferring, while also enjoying the beautiful and varied natural scenery along the way. Along the Odakyu line, there are vibrant sightseeing destinations such as Shinjuku, Hakone, and Enoshima. In these areas, you can experience Japanese culture, cuisine, shopping, and nature.
Odakyu "Romancecar"
Between March 25 and April 20, 2015, the Odakyu Group will launch the "Take the Odakyu to Hakone – SAKURA Campaign." During this period, foreign travelers who purchase Hakone Free Passes or Odakyu Romancecar tickets at the "Odakyu Travel Service Centers" in Shinjuku Station or Odawara Station on the Odakyu Line will receive a free pair of "cherry blossom chopsticks" along with a brochure that includes rich information on cherry blossom viewing spots, bloom schedules, and local specialties. Representative cherry blossom viewing spots in the Hakone area include Miyagino-Hayakawa Embankment, Hakone Gora Park, Horaien Garden, Hakone Prefectural Park, the "Couple’s Cherry Tree" at Yukaku, Hakone-en, Iriyama, and Shōgenji Temple. ( http://odakyu-season.jp/ )
Cherry blossoms in Hakone
In March, the Odakyu Group also launched an official Weibo account ( http://weibo.com/odakyugroup ) to introduce Chinese tourists to the sightseeing, culture, food, shopping, and events at popular destinations along the Odakyu Romancecar line, including Shinjuku, Hakone, and Enoshima. They’ve also released a video showcasing these charming locations ( http://www.odakyu-group.cn/ ). Anyone who shares this video before April 30 will be entered into a lottery to win a trip to Hakone.
This spring, take the Odakyu "Romancecar" and embark on a romantic hanami journey in Japan.
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