Hanamomo Peach Blossoms in the Closest Village to Heaven

A gorgeous natural tapestry of peach blossoms painted on the former rice terraces of the “Closest Village to Heaven”.

Kaizumi [川角] in Ohnan is known as the “Closest Village to Heaven”, not only for its elevation, but for the fact that the average age in the tiny community is north of 80.

After winding up through the Kandani [神谷] rice terraces, you pop out of a tiny tunnel to find yourself on a mountaintop. Below, hundreds of peach trees, covered with pink and white blossoms, growing on terraces carpeted with bright yellow rapeseed flowers.

Check the state of the blossoms
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The planting of the 2000 or so trees began almost 30 years ago as part of a re-vitalization effort involving local residents and nearby schools. Kaizumi is one special place and well worth the effort to get there.

As some of the steep roads to Hazumi are closed, visitors are advised to make for here [Google Map Pin] and follow signs up to the village.