Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunsha — affectionately known as "Kanto no Izumo-san" — in Hadano City, Kanagawa, is holding the "Minami Hadano Mura Sakura Matsuri" from Saturday, March 21 to Sunday, April 12, 2026. The festival coincides with the blooming season of the shrine's iconic 20-meter-tall Somei Yoshino cherry tree, the "Ryoen Sakura," and Kanagawa's longest cherry blossom avenue, "Hadano Sakuramichi."
About the "Minami Hadano Mura Sakura Matsuri"
At the center of the shrine grounds stands the "Ryoen Sakura," a Somei Yoshino cherry tree approximately 70 years old and 20 meters tall, and the symbol of the shrine. Its nickname was selected in 2023 from around 150 public submissions, reflecting both the shrine's association with the divine power of "en" (connections and fate) and Hadano's reputation as a city of cherry blossoms. When in full bloom, the tree creates a breathtaking spectacle.
During the festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal events and treats, including:
- Cherry blossom light-up (from dusk until 9:00 PM)
- Flower chozuya (hana-chozuya), hanging hina dolls, and limited-edition goshuin stamps (all day)
- Amazake brewed with Hadano famous spring water (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Street piano (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Hadano local specialty stalls (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
On the grounds, "Mori no Tofu Kobo Mikawaya" will also be running a pop-up tofu shop, offering seasonal items such as sakura gelato, sakura pound cake, and sakura doughnuts — limited to this time of year.
Hadano Sakuramichi
After enjoying the shrine, visitors can continue on to "Hadano Sakuramichi," Kanagawa Prefecture's longest cherry blossom avenue and one of the finest in Japan. Stretching approximately 6.2 km from Nishiootake Intersection (Prefectural Route 62) in Hadano to Horikawa Shin-bashi Intersection (Prefectural Route 706), the route features about 700 cherry trees that burst into bloom simultaneously each spring, forming a magnificent canopy of blossoms. Peak bloom typically falls between late March and mid-April.
Access: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Odakyu Line "Hadano Station" to Nishiootake Intersection.
4th Yosakoi Goen Matsuri
On April 11 (Saturday) and 12 (Sunday), the "4th Yosakoi Goen Matsuri" takes place within the shrine grounds, with yosakoi dance performances offered as a sacred dedication amid falling cherry blossoms. More than 50 teams and over 1,000 dancers from across Kanagawa and beyond gather for this popular annual competition, which visitors can watch as full-scale yosakoi dedication performances.
The "Ryoen Sakura" — Symbol of the Shrine
In spring 2023, the shrine invited the public to submit nickname ideas for this large cherry tree standing at the center of the grounds, receiving around 150 proposals from across Japan. After careful deliberation, the name "Ryoen Sakura (良縁桜)" was chosen — embodying both the shrine's divine virtue of "en" (connections) and its role as a symbol of Hadano, a city celebrated for its cherry blossoms. The magnificent Somei Yoshino, standing roughly 20 meters tall, fills visitors with a sense of wonder when its flowers open each spring.
Event Details
Minami Hadano Mura Sakura Matsuri
- Dates: Saturday, March 21 – Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Venue: Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunsha (1221 Hirasawa, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Access: Bus from Odakyu Line "Hadano Station" or "Shibusawa Station," or approximately 25 minutes on foot
- Phone: 0463-81-1122 (8:40 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Official website: https://www.izumosan.com/ (Live camera for blossom conditions available on the official site)
Yosakoi Goen Matsuri
- Dates: Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM / Sunday, April 12, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Venue: Izumo Taisha Sagami Bunsha grounds (1221 Hirasawa, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Access: Bus from Odakyu Line "Hadano Station" or "Shibusawa Station," or approximately 25 minutes on foot; shuttle bus service from Hadano Station
