Hadano, in Kanagawa Prefecture, boasts an exceptionally long cherry blossom promenade: Hadano Sakura Michi stretches 6.2km and is lined with hundreds of cherry trees. There are more cherry trees along the riverbank in front of the Hadano Culture Park, and during the Hadano Sakura Festival, these trees will be illuminated in the evenings.
But the best part is the illuminations in the mountains (well, hills really) a short hike above town. Koboyama Park, at the top of Mt Kobo (235m), has lots of sakura trees (plus, if you’re lucky, Mt Fuji views). The path running from the top of Mt Kobo to adjacent Mt Gongen is also lined with cherry trees that, throughout the festival, will be illuminated with paper lanterns (canceled for 2023).
Schedule 2023
Along with the nightly illuminations from March 18 to April 9, food stalls will set up shop on April 1 and 2. There will also be a special sakura taxi to take you to all the main cherry blossom spots. More information here.
How to get there
Odakyu Line trains from Shinjuku run to Hadano in just over an hour (if you catch the rapid express) and cost ¥690 each way.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.