12 Must-See Tourist Spots in Ashigara! Enjoy a Flower Viewing Filled with the Fragrance of Herbs and Hydrangeas

The western Kanagawa Prefecture Ashigara area is packed with tourist attractions. In Minami-Ashigara City as well as in Matsuda Town, Oi Town, Kaisei Town, and others, you can find many nature-rich sightseeing spots. The herb gardens, farms, and parks overflowing with flowers and greenery in Ashigara will surely soothe your soul.

Furthermore, there are facilities where you can experience agriculture firsthand—such as rice harvesting or fruit picking—that are usually hard to try, making it ideal for family outings. With its excellent access from the city center, a weekend trip to the Ashigara area is a great idea. Here are 12 recommended tourist spots in Ashigara!

1. Daiyūzan Saijōji (Dōryōson)

Famous for the world’s largest geta (traditional wooden sandals) and a tengu statue, Daiyūzan Saijōji (Dōryōson) is a Sōtō Zen temple and one of the main sightseeing attractions in Minami-Ashigara City.

Located on Daiyūzan, Saijōji occupies a vast area with its main hall, guest hall, and study hall, and has a history of over 600 years. Behind the guest hall, you’ll find a giant pair of geta known as “takashita geta” (high and low geta) that is a must-see. Because the geta come in matching pairs, many couples present them as an offering for marital harmony and the prosperity of their descendants.

Also, from the Niōmon gate at the entrance, there is a 3 km-long “Tengu’s Trail” (a hiking path alongside a roadway). The cedar-lined path—where trees are about 600 years old on both sides—conveys a sense of history. Moreover, from mid-June to mid-July, hydrangeas bloom in full glory, making it especially recommended. Within the temple grounds, you can also enjoy cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and sasanqua camellias, as well as autumn foliage. Be sure to experience Ashigara’s charm.

2. Matsudayama Herb Garden

Located on the slopes of Matsudayama within the Nishihirabatake Park, the “Matsudayama Herb Garden” cultivates about 180 types and over 16,000 individual herbs in a sprawling garden that fills the air with refreshing fragrances.

Inside the herb garden, a walking path lets you stroll while being enveloped in the aroma. In spring, you can enjoy lavender and cherry blossoms, while in autumn, various sage flowers bloom—offering seasonal delights. At night, the garden is illuminated, and the illuminated cherry blossoms are equally beautiful. In the garden’s restaurant, you can dine while enjoying dishes made with herbs and locally produced Ashigara vegetables, as well as herb teas.

Additionally, there is a herb hall selling herb-related goods and local specialties—perfect for souvenirs. You can even join workshops to make your own aroma candles, bath salts, or potpourri. Enjoy these unique experiences as you explore Ashigara.

3. Ashigara Pass

If you want to drive while admiring the beautiful scenery of Ashigara, Ashigara Pass is highly recommended. Located between Minami-Ashigara City and Shizuoka Prefecture, the pass sits at an altitude of about 760 m.

Popular as both a drive and a hiking course, Ashigara Pass is famous for its breathtaking views. From the pass along the “Kintarō Fujimi Line,” you can see Mount Fuji come into view, presenting a quintessentially Japanese landscape.

While it’s enjoyable to admire the view from a vehicle, taking a leisurely hike is also recommended. Starting at the Jizodō, the course passes by Yūhi no Taki (Sunset Waterfall) and the pass junction, covering roughly 8 km in about 3 hours. The sunrise and sunset over Mount Fuji are especially majestic and energizing.

4. Asahi Beer Kanagawa Brewery

The “Asahi Beer Kanagawa Brewery” offers free beer tastings and factory tours and is one of the popular tourist attractions in nature-rich Minami-Ashigara City.

During the factory tour, you’ll see video explanations and visit the brewing room and filtration room before enjoying a tasting of fresh draft beer. Even for regular beer drinkers, freshly brewed beer made with the fine water of Ashigara is exquisite. For those who don’t drink alcohol, soft drinks are available.

Within the facility, there is also a gift shop stocked with Asahi Beer merchandise and a guesthouse serving as a waiting area, perfect for a break. Outdoors, a restaurant serves not only the brewery’s fresh draft beer but also features dishes like grilled Ashigara beef, lamb Genghis Khan, and seafood—making the beer taste even better.

5. Yūhi no Taki (Sunset Waterfall)

Known as the waterfall where Kintarō—famous from the “Legend of Kintarō of Ashigara”—was said to have bathed at birth, Yūhi no Taki is celebrated for its beauty, especially when bathed in the glow of the setting sun. As its name suggests, the waterfall looks stunning in the sunset and has a height of about 23 m.

Nestled in a natural area surrounded by mountains, it is a popular sightseeing spot in Minami-Ashigara City during the seasons of fresh greenery and autumn leaves. In summer, nearby campgrounds offer opportunities for river play and barbecues.

The waterfall is also a site for waterfall meditation (taki-yuki), for which you can apply via the official website. It is recommended for those seeking to refresh both mind and body or to enhance their concentration.

6. Kaisei Ajisai no Sato

Known for the “Kaisei Town Hydrangea Festival,” Kaisei Ajisai no Sato is a popular spot in Ashigara. On an area of about 17 hectares of fields, approximately 5,000 hydrangea plants have been planted, surrounded by lush parks.

During the hydrangea festival held every June, blue and purple hydrangeas beautifully adorn the early summer landscape of Ashigara. On weekends during the festival, events, concerts, and even a mini steam locomotive run, making it a great family outing. With ample parking available, you can easily combine a drive through Ashigara with a visit to this site.

At the venue, you can also savor local specialties—such as taro shochu made from Kaisei rice, bento boxes prepared with local ingredients, and bowls featuring Ashigara beef. Be sure to taste these regional delights.

7. Mikan Picking in Matsuda Town

Ashigara mikan (mandarins) are counted among the “100 Kanagawa Local Specialties.” In the area around Matsudayama, there are many mikan picking farms.

During the harvest season from November to December, local elementary school children and tourists flock to participate. The freshly picked mikan, juicy and sweet, offer an unparalleled taste. Some places even offer a combined package of mikan picking and a barbecue terrace—great for family fun.

Matsuda Town also runs an “orange tree ownership system,” where you can have your name attached to your very own mikan tree. Given Ashigara’s accessibility from the city center as a day-trip destination, why not become a proud owner of a mikan tree?

8. Kanagawa Prefectural 21st Century Forest

Experience the rich natural forests of Ashigara at the “Kanagawa Prefectural 21st Century Forest.” Located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture near Hakone and Tanzawa, this expansive forest in Ashigara offers a refreshing nature experience.

With altitudes ranging from about 200 m to 650 m, the park features several walking paths and facilities. Inside, you’ll find a forest museum with exhibits about the woodland, a woodworking craft center where you can try your hand at making things from wood, and a forest interaction center for relaxation. The facilities provide an easy-to-understand explanation of Ashigara’s forests, making it an educational and fun visit.

Several of the forest trails take you through wooded courses lasting 20 to 40 minutes, which is great for families with small children. Even in summer, the area remains cool, with cypress and cedar forests in view.

9. Satoyama Share Ōimatsuda

“Satoyama Share Ōimatsuda” is known as a facility where you can experience local agriculture in Ashigara. Surrounded by the rice fields, farmlands, and trees typical of a satoyama landscape, it is one of the popular sightseeing spots in Oi Town.

Agricultural experiences include rice harvesting, miso making, and picking strawberries or mikan. Other popular activities include soba noodle making and jam production.

After the experience, you can enjoy a barbecue featuring freshly picked Ashigara vegetables—no need to bring anything yourself. From the barbecue area, located at around 200 m altitude, you can view Sagami Bay, offering an expansive, refreshing setting.

After your activities, consider staying at an onsen resort within the satoyama, where you can even see Mount Fuji and relieve muscle, joint, and cold-related aches. Let the healing power of Ashigara’s nature refresh you.

10. Tanzawa Lake

Located in Yamakita Town in the western part of the Tanzawa Mountain Range in Ashigara, Tanzawa Lake is an artificial lake created by the Miho Dam, built in 1978. It has been selected as one of Kanagawa’s “50 Scenic Spots.”

From the lakeshore, you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji, and each season presents beautiful natural scenery. Activities such as boating, fishing, and camping are popular here. Every July, a canoe marathon is held, and in August, the Tanzawa Lake Fireworks Festival attracts large numbers of visitors.

In addition, many dining spots serve local delicacies such as yamame (trout), wakasagi (smelt), and deer sashimi. The tea, coffee, and soba made with the lake’s fresh water are also renowned. Be sure to savor Ashigara’s local cuisine during your visit.

11. Nakagawa Onsen

Located just near Tanzawa Lake in the mountains, Nakagawa Onsen is a historic hot spring resort. Legend has it that around 400 years ago, Takeda Shingen provided bathing facilities here for wounded generals and soldiers.

As the legend suggests, Nakagawa Onsen is known as a healing hot spring effective for wounds. Its water is an alkaline simple spring, and it is also reputed to help with high blood pressure, rheumatism, and beauty. With many inns, hotels, and dining spots in the area, it is a popular all-day sightseeing destination in Ashigara.

Nakagawa Onsen is also famed for its autumn foliage; around November, the Nishitanzawa Momiji Festival is held here, along with various events. You can enjoy fresh local vegetables and a traditional “shishi nabe” (lion’s hot pot) in a communal setting. Reservations are required, so be sure to check in advance.

12. Miho Dam

Miho Dam is one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s important reservoirs. Constructed on the Kawachi River in Yamakita Town, it is a rock-fill dam built from accumulated rock and earth, and was completed in 1978.

The massive concrete dam, set against the lush green mountains, is truly impressive. The surrounding area is well maintained, with a lawn promenade that makes for a pleasant stroll. You can also enjoy views of Tanzawa Lake—an artificial lake created during the dam’s construction—and soak in the beautiful scenery.

Nearby, Tanzawa Lake Dam Plaza Park features numerous trees and vast lawns. During summer holidays, children can enjoy catching insects and playing in the river, and the area is also pet-friendly for long, leisurely walks.

◎ Summary

How did you like the nature-rich Ashigara area? Western Kanagawa is home to many outstanding tourist attractions. The agricultural experiences made possible by the pristine water are truly valuable, and you must taste the fresh vegetables and fruits grown in Ashigara. Whether you’re looking to experience hands-on activities or simply relax with your family or friends, Ashigara offers a memorable sightseeing journey.

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12 Must-See Tourist Spots in Ashigara! Enjoy a Flower Viewing Filled with the Fragrance of Herbs and Hydrangeas