Hanamono Peach Blossom Festival

This is liveliest event of the year in Kaizumi [川角], nicknamed the “Closest Village to Heaven” for its high elevation and its elderly population, is when people from all over the region tackle to the narrow winding roads up through steeply stacked rice terraces to see the 2000 or so peach trees in bloom.

The blossoms can viewed at any time while in bloom (and photographers may want to avoid the crowds), but there is a great atmosphere during the festival with food stalls, chindon-ya marching bands parading among the trees and other local entertainments.

Notice
2017’s unusual weather means that the hanamono blossoms are little behind schedule and it is unlikely that they will be at full bloom by April 8. Keep an eye on their progress on this page.

Here is a photo they posted of some of the blossoms on April 5, 2017

It can be tricky to get to Kaizumi and easy to miss the turn. Keep a look out for signs to the Kandani inada rice terraces [神谷棚田] and for Tengoku ni ichiban chikai sato [天国に一番近い里] which is the Japanese for”The closest village to heaven” and the upright green flags you can see below. If you can get to Hasumi Resort Center [はすみリゾートセンター] near Kuchiba Station shuttle buses will be running from there from 9am. The adventurous might like to take the Sanko-sen train line from Miyoshi at 10:02 and get off at Kuchiba and take the shuttle bus (be sure to check your return options though – train schedules are here).

Festival Pamphlets in English