Now it is the best time for “Hanami (Flower
Viewings)”! The most popular and famous flower for “Hanami (Flower Viewings)”
would be “Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)” in Japan, but there are more spring flowers
to enjoy!
Imakuma Shrine is one of the Shinto shrines
located in Hachioji City, and it is known for beautiful one kind of Azalea flowers called "Mitsuba-tsutsuji". The
photo above was taken last week, on April 12th and about 60-70% of the Azalea trees were blooming. So it would be more
beautiful this week. What's more you can enjoy a casual hiking starting from this shrine. you can enjoy the view of Azalea flowers blooming beside the shrine on the way of the hiking trail.
In addition, this shrine keeps a ritual dance
called “Shishimai (Lion Dance)”. Shishimai is a common traditional Japanese performance taking place at festivals and new year celebration time, but the style of the dance kept at this shrine is unique. It is said that the origin of the ritual dance goes back to 14th century and it has been performed to pray for a good harvest and expel evils. If you are interested in the ritual dance you can see it at the last Sunday in August every year.
You can reach Imakuma Shrine by bus from Hachioji
Station (JR Chuo-line and Keio-line), or Musashi-itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi-line). Take Nishi-tokyo bus from either station and get off
at Imakuma Tozan-guchi. From the bus stop to the shrine takes 20-25 minutes on
foot.
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