Hakone's May Tradition: Garden Admission Free Again During Fair at "Odakyu Hotel de Yama" for "Tsutsuji/Shakunage Fair 2026"

"Odakyu Hotel de Yama," nestled on the shores of Lake Ashi in Hakone, welcomes its most vibrant season in May. In its vast garden overlooking Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, approximately 3,000 azaleas of 84 varieties and 300 rhododendrons of 42 varieties will successively come into bloom, creating a colorful floral landscape. These azaleas and rhododendrons are certified as "plant heritage to be preserved for future generations" by the "National Collection of the Japan Botanical Gardens Association."

From late April, the "Tsutsuji/Shakunage Fair 2026" will be held. This site was once the villa of Baron Koyata Iwasaki, the 4th head of the Mitsubishi Zaibatsu. Following Baron Iwasaki's spirit of "allowing more guests to enjoy the garden," garden admission will be free again this year during the fair period, allowing anyone to visit the garden.

Furthermore, the hotel plans to offer sweets inspired by the vibrant garden and host various events, allowing guests to enjoy a special time amidst the beautiful floral scenery.

◆◆◆ "Tsutsuji/Shakunage Fair 2026" Overview ◆◆◆

＜Period＞ Late April to mid-May (The period may change depending on the blooming status of azaleas)

＜Visiting Hours＞ 9:00-16:00 (Last admission for general public)

＜Admission Fee＞ Free (Free even during azalea and rhododendron blooming)

＜URL＞ https://www.hakone-hoteldeyama.jp/tsutsuji_shakunage/ (To be updated sequentially)

＜Parking＞ Large bus: 5,000 yen per vehicle / General car: Free

*Free shuttle bus available from Motohakone Port to the hotel.

*Pets allowed (small dogs only). Pets are allowed in the hotel's main building lounge terrace and on the 2nd floor of "Flower Cafe Salon de Thé Rosage" only for dining.

●Estimated Best Viewing Period Azaleas: Late April to mid-May Rhododendrons: Early May to late May

●Types and Number of Plants Azaleas: 84 varieties, approx. 3,000 plants Rhododendrons: 42 varieties, approx. 300 plants

Garden Project to Connect Rare Azaleas and Rhododendrons to the Future, Entering Phase 2

In 2014, a record-breaking heavy snowfall in Hakone covered the hotel garden in snow, causing damage such as broken branches to many azaleas. This event led to the launch of a project the following year, named "Baron's 100-Year Azaleas: A Challenge for 100 Years Ahead," aimed at maintaining and regenerating azaleas and rhododendrons.

In this activity, to preserve the DNA of azaleas and rhododendrons inherited with the garden since the Baron's villa era, cuttings of each were used. Azaleas were propagated by cuttings, and rhododendrons by grafting, and grown by a flower farmer in Niigata. The grown seedlings were returned to the hotel, managed in a nursery (a place for growing plants), and then several plants were replanted in the garden. Furthermore, a variety survey was conducted by Yuji Kurashige, a researcher of azaleas and rhododendrons. The trees in the garden are managed by being cataloged in a database, and efforts are being made to connect valuable varieties to the next generation.

Through these activities, it became clear that extremely valuable varieties exist in the garden, which were highly praised as "living cultural assets." In 2022, "Garden Azaleas" were certified as a "National Collection of the Japan Botanical Gardens Association," followed by "Garden Rhododendrons" in 2023.

From 2025, preparations for collaboration with other gardens will begin as Phase 2 of the garden project. To protect the rare azaleas and rhododendrons that the hotel has preserved and cultivated from the risk of extinction, efforts will be made to entrust seedlings to other gardens and facilities that support the project, and have them grown in their respective environments. At the same time, there are plans to collect cuttings of old varieties that were created in the Edo period and spread throughout Japan, similar to the hotel's azaleas and rhododendrons, and to welcome them into the garden for cultivation. This is a new challenge to connect disappearing varieties to the future.

Going forward, while exploring suitable environments and methods for growing seedlings, efforts will be made to establish a system to protect endangered varieties. In the near future, the goal is also to develop facilities within the hotel grounds for growing azalea and rhododendron seedlings.

Furthermore, with a garden renewal in mind, and looking 100 years ahead, the hotel will continue to create a garden where more guests can enjoy the charm of azaleas and rhododendrons.

4 Selections of Rare Azaleas and Rhododendrons to See in the Hotel Garden

■Rare Azalea Varieties (Examples)

(Left) "Tebotan" An old azalea variety that appeared in Edo period gardening books. It features double-petaled crimson-purple flowers with stamens transformed into petals, a rare flower shape. Few plants remain in open ground, making it a valuable variety, with only one plant visible in the hotel garden.

(Right) "Hoo-den" A variety created from the late Meiji to early Taisho periods. It features crimson-pink flowers with white edges and dark crimson-purple spots, and a "double bloom" where the calyx transforms into petals. It is a rare variety with almost no horticultural production today.

■Rare Rhododendron Varieties (Examples)

(Left) "Stella Waterer" A Western rhododendron variety created before 1865 in England. It features medium-sized flowers with slightly purplish-pink petals and dark spots. It is a rare variety with few cultivation examples and almost no production today.

(Right) "Yakushima Rhododendron" A wild species native to Japan. It is endemic to Yakushima (Kagoshima Prefecture), and its buds are dark pink, but they turn white when they bloom.

＜Featured Content＞ Enjoy the Garden's Charm More Deeply! Various Events Held Exclusively for the Fair

During the "Tsutsuji/Shakunage Fair 2026," "Odakyu Hotel de Yama" will offer a variety of events to help guests learn more about and enjoy the garden's charm.

1. [NEW!] Azalea Garden Tour by Green Advisor

2. Azalea Lecture & Garden Tour by Yuji Kurashige

3. Hasui Kawase Interactive Appreciation Session

4. Azalea Seedling Sale

5. Chapel Concert

＜New Sweets＞ Enjoy Sweets and Takeout Menu Items with the Azalea Garden

[NEW!] Sweets "Jardin" Inspired by the Azalea Garden (Available at: Lounge)

[NEW!] Take out one-hand sweets and drinks for a garden stroll

(Available at: Flower Cafe Salon de Thé Rosage)

Contact for general inquiries when introducing:

Odakyu Hotel de Yama

tel: 0460-83-6321 (Reception hours 9:30-19:30)

HP: https://www.hakone-hoteldeyama.jp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odakyuhotel.yama/