From late March to early April, there are many spots in Kasaoka City to enjoy cherry blossoms.
At the foot of "Ojin-yama," one of the ten famous mountains of Kasaoka, the grounds and approach of Shirakumo Shrine are adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms and azaleas, providing a moment of relaxation for the visitors who come to worship.
To allow many people to enjoy the spring scenery at Shirakumo Shrine, a Flower Festival will be held from March 27, 2021 (Saturday).
The Shirakumo Shrine Flower Festival in 2021 will be held in a reduced mode with fewer events to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, but visitors can still enjoy the flowers blooming in the shrine grounds and approach at a leisurely pace.
As you ascend the grounds and approach, we will convey the flowers, greenery, and mossy landscapes you encounter in a photo report style!
The information provided is from the article published in April 2021. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Flower Festival at Shirakumo Shrine where you can enjoy cherry blossoms and azaleas?
The divine power of Shirakumo Shrine, located at the foot of Ojin-yama in Kasaoka City, is known for "marriage matchmaking" and "healing of injuries and illnesses."
One of the major attractions of Shirakumo Shrine is its location, which is one of the best in Kasaoka City to experience the changing seasons through the flowers and trees in the shrine grounds and approach.
From late March to early April, you can savor the arrival of spring with cherry blossoms and azaleas.
Regarding the Flower Festival held at Shirakumo Shrine, the chief priest Hori Taiten said the following:
"Every day is stressful due to the situation with the coronavirus, but we are holding this festival in the hope that visitors can feel the arrival of spring through the flowers in the shrine and find a little peace of mind."
The Flower Festival will be held from March 27, 2021 (Saturday) to May 5, 2021 (Sunday).
Visiting hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
This Flower Festival can be seen as the second part of the Maple Festival held in November 2020, positioned as the spring edition to enjoy seasonal landscapes throughout the year.
Even in the same grounds and approach, the scenery changes with the seasons, and comparing it to the Maple Festival, the differences between autumn and spring landscapes become clear.
Events held during the Flower Festival
Two events are planned during the Flower Festival.
| Date and Time | Content |
|---|---|
| April 1 (Thursday) 1:00 PM | Cherry blossom viewing concert featuring organist Izumi Suzuki |
| April 18 (Sunday) 11:00 AM | Spring Grand Festival and East Japan Earthquake Recovery Support Product Exhibition |
As of April 2021, due to the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus, only these two events will be held, but visitors can fully enjoy the spring flowers in the shrine grounds and approach until May 5.
The highlight of the Flower Festival is the illumination
During the Flower Festival, there will be a limited edition goshuin, and on weekends during the period (until April 18), you can enjoy the flowers at night with illumination.
A fantastical space will appear at Shirakumo Shrine, different from the daytime scenery.
Illumination days are the weekends until April 18 during the festival. The detailed schedule is as follows:
- April 3 (Saturday), April 4 (Sunday)
- April 10 (Saturday), April 11 (Sunday)
- April 17 (Saturday), April 18 (Sunday)
Now, let’s introduce the spots you should see at the Shirakumo Shrine Flower Festival.
Flower Festival spots at Shirakumo Shrine
The cherry blossom viewing spots before entering the shrine grounds are around the parking lot next to the west approach entrance of Shirakumo Shrine, around the Rest Area Nagomi, and in front of the parking lot and Spirit Shrine.
After that, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom along the approach leading from the shrine grounds to Miho Ebisu Shrine and up to Shinkai Shrine through the Otorii gate.
The photos in this article were taken on March 29, 2021 (Monday) between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, except for some.
From the parking lot below Shirakumo Shrine to the Otorii gate
You can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms along the west approach from the parking lot next to the west approach entrance to the Otorii gate.
▼Cherry trees spread on both sides of the west approach.
▼There are also cherry blossoms a little further along from the west approach entrance.
In front of the Rest Area "Nagomi" at Shirakumo Shrine, there are also cherry trees.
▼Cherry blossoms are also spread in front of the Shirakumo Shrine Hall on the left side of "Nagomi."
▼This is the view of cherry blossoms from the window of the Shirakumo Shrine Hall.
This photo was taken with the window of the Shirakumo Shrine Hall fully open.
It is a landscape that looks like it has been framed.
Cherry blossom spots from the Otorii gate at the top of the stone steps on the west approach to the main hall
As you walk around the shrine grounds, there are many cherry blossom viewing spots.
After climbing the stone steps and passing through the Otorii gate, you will find the main hall in the shrine grounds.
▼To the right after passing through the Otorii gate, there is a temizuya (water purification area) set up for the Flower Festival, so please purify yourself here.
The temizuya is also decorated with cherry blossoms.
▼The flowers are said to be replaced according to the season.
After purifying yourself at the temizuya, let’s visit the main hall.
The order of worship at Shirakumo Shrine is as follows:
- Purify yourself at the temizuya
- Offer prayers at the Harae Shrine
- Worship at the main hall
After following this order, please enjoy the cherry blossoms and azaleas.
Cherry blossom spots at Miho Ebisu Shrine
The course starting from Miho Ebisu Shrine is recommended.
As of March 29, 2021, the cherry blossoms at Miho Ebisu Shrine, located to the right of the main hall, were already in full bloom.
▼Miho Ebisu Shrine and cherry blossoms.
▼One of the oldest cherry trees among the cherry blossoms at Shirakumo Shrine.
However, beautiful flowers are blooming.
On the left is the worship hall, and on the right is Senshin Pond.
▼ The scenery of Senshin Pond is pure Japanese.
The approach from the Okumiya Torii to Shingyo Kamokushi Shrine is a spot for moss and cherry blossoms
Next to Mihobebisu Shrine, let's pass through the Okumiya Torii and head towards Shingyo Kamokushi Shrine.
▼ After passing through the Okumiya Torii, a path covered with cherry blossom petals appeared.
While carefully observing the contrast between the pink cherry blossom petals and the green moss, I proceed along the path to Shingyo Kamokushi Shrine.
▼ The torii gate and lantern with a nice mossy feel.
▼ After passing through the torii gate, fully bloomed cherry blossoms and the sky welcome you.
▼ Please enjoy the scenery as you walk slowly along the moss-covered path flanked by the pink cherry blossoms and the red lanterns.
▼ We have arrived at Shingyo Kamokushi Shrine.
On both sides of the path leading from Kamokushi Shrine to Hinomisaki Shrine (Okumiya) are azaleas
On both sides of the path to Hinomisaki Shrine (Okumiya), which connects to Shingyo, many purple mountain azaleas are blooming.
▼ This is the state of the path to Shingyo taken on April 3, 2021.
▼ I tried taking a photo from a different angle.
In front of the Amatsumi Torii and Hinomisaki Shrine (Okumiya), camellias are blooming.
As you proceed deeper into Hinomisaki Shrine (Okumiya), the mountain azaleas are in full bloom.
This area where the mountain azaleas are blooming is a restricted area, so please enjoy them from a distance.
▼ The path to Tsukimiya has a wonderfully growing moss.
From Hinomisaki Shrine (Okumiya) to Sankekaku
In the past, before the reclamation of Kasaoka Bay, you could see the three landscapes of mountains, sea, and town all at once from Sankekaku.
Now, while the sea is no longer visible, it has become a place where you can enjoy mountains, town, and cherry blossoms together.
Walking down the path while looking at cherry blossom petals and moss
Let's walk down from Sankekaku to the worship hall while looking at the cherry blossom petals and the moss-covered path.
▼ There are many moss spots like this in the precincts.
Double-flowered cherry blossoms in mid-April are at their best
In the precincts of Hakuyun Taisha, there are double-flowered cherry blossoms.
Double-flowered cherry blossoms bloom a little later, so it seems you can enjoy the flowers until mid-April.
▼ The double-flowered cherry blossoms in front of the ema.
The spot where you can enjoy both cherry blossoms and double-flowered cherry blossoms is at the bench.
▼ The pale contrast is beautiful.
The weekend illuminations create a fantastic atmosphere
The atmosphere of Hakuyun Taisha during the day changes dramatically in the evening with the illumination.
The illuminated cherry blossoms are different from those during the maple festival.
The illumination is from 6 PM to 8 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Please enjoy the changing contrast between the sky and the illuminated cherry trees from around 6:30 PM until it is completely dark.
In conjunction with the lighting event, on April 4 (Sunday), while implementing measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, Pan-nu studio will hold the Kasaoka Cosplay Event Pan-nu Studio Location Project at Hakun Shrine.
Despite the rain from the morning until the evening, many people enjoyed the cosplay event at Shirakumojinja Shrine.
This is a unique collaboration realized in Kasaoka City.
From the Writer
Izumo-san in Kasaoka, Shirakumojinja Shrine is a shrine that connects the ties of people, things, and events.
From spring to autumn, a healing space unfolds that can be visited at any time.
From late March to early April, feel the arrival of spring with cherry blossoms and azaleas, and sense the breath of fresh greenery.
During the flower festival period, flowers in bloom include cherry blossoms, azaleas, camellias, as well as satsuki, wisteria, and hydrangeas.
The path to Hinomisaki Shrine, illuminated by candlelight in lanterns on weekends, is highly recommended.
Please take a leisurely stroll up the path to Shirakumojinja Shrine while enjoying the flowers and trees during the flower festival held until May 5 (Wednesday).
- Photography: Sasaki Toshiyuki
Hakubun Taisha Flower Festival Information
| Name | Hakubun Taisha Flower Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | 【Event Period】 From March 27, 2021 to May 5, 2021 【Visiting Hours】 From 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM 【Light Up】 On weekends until April 18 during the flower festival period From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Entry until 7:30 PM) 【Goshuin】 From 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM *Limited edition goshuin is 500 yen 【Rest Area Nagomi Usage Hours】 From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM *May be self-service |
| Location | 958-4 Kasaoka, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 【Admission Fee】 Free |
| Website | Hakubun Taisha |
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