CNY Getaway 2019 #1/4 - Odawara, Revisited

Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (on IG)

So, kicked off the Year of the Pig with a short trip to Japan...again (travelogue below). Over the past couple of years, Hubby and I have also begun using the 2-day public holiday and general slowdown in workflow over this period to ensure we have some quality time together, as undisturbed as possible.

Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (on IG)

Last month, we revisited Soga Bairin曽我梅林 in Odawara小田原. It has 35,000 plum trees (ume梅), and is one of the best places to view plum blossoms in Japan. Soga Bairin (literally "plum forest") is actually a farm area, and the area was apparently a famous plum producing region since the time it was ruled by the Go-Hojo clan後北条氏 (from around 1493, during the Sengoku period). During the Edo period, Odawara became a post station where travellers passed en route to Hakone along the Tokaido東海道, and because the plums were useful to travellers, the then daimyo of Odawara, Okubo Tadayo大久保 忠世 ordered more plum trees to be planted.

Not yet peak bloom at Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (3 Feb 2019, others on IG)

I've yet to post last year's plum blossom viewing at Soga Bairin. On that trip, we went during mid-February and it wasn't peak bloom yet, though it was close. Thus year, we were earlier, and the blooming season had only just begun. Thus most of the trees were still bare, and the buds still forming.

White plum blossoms at Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (on IG)

There were some trees, and some spots, that were already blooming beautifully. Once again, just seeing the creamy petals contrasting against the clear blue sky was just a sight. This is why I wanted to come back. Something about being among the beautiful blooms...the fragrant scent...the snappy chill of the winter air...the sounds of a festival going on nearby... Just eases my heart and helps me feel grounded.

Red plum blossoms (koubai) at Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (others on IG)

Some of the koubai紅梅 were blooming. Not many though.

Soga Bairin, Odawara, Kanagawa (others on IG)

Sometimes it's a bit hard to decide which is more appealing...white plum blossoms, or red plum blossoms?

Someone's backyard plum tree is in peak bloom....(others on IG)

This was one of those times I wish so badly that I live in a temperate country where I can observe the seasons.

CNY Getaway with Elizabeth Rose (February 2019) Odawara • Plum blossoms at Soga Bairin Shizuoka • Shiraito Falls • Lake Tanuki  • Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 Fuji Five Lakes • Oshino Hakkai Tokyo • Gotoku-ji • Nezu Shrine • Otome Inari Shrine • Yushima Tenmangu • Ginza Tsutaya Nakaya Pen Event