Nice to meet you!
This is the Isehara City Tourism Association.

Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture is located in the center of Kanagawa Prefecture and has a population of 101,495 (as of December 2023 (Reiwa 5)).
Approximately 1/3 of the total area is occupied by mountain forests and wilderness, making it an area rich in nature.
In addition, it is about 60 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line (Rapid Express / Express), which is easy to access!

In this first post, we will introduce Isehara City, focusing on sightseeing spots in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture!

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Sightseeing spot information in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
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■ Oyama / Oyama Cable Car / Oyama Temple / Oyama Afuri Shrine
Located in a corner of Tanzawa Oyama Quasi-National Park, Mt. Oyama at an altitude of 1251.7 meters is one of the most popular climbing spots in the Kanto region!
In 2016, it was also recognized as a "Japan Heritage".
From the top, you can also see the Sagami Plain and the skyscrapers of Tokyo in the distance, and it has been selected as one of the "50 Scenic Spots in Kanagawa".

・Oyama Cable Car
The Oyama Cable Line, commonly known as the Oyama Cable Car, is a cable car with a total length of 0.8 km.
You can easily access the summit of Mt. Oyama while enjoying the nature of Mt. Oyama through the large windows.

・Oyama Temple
It is a temple located on the side of a large mountain, also known as Mt. Aburi.
In autumn, when the maples lining both sides of the stone steps leading to the main hall change color, it is also famous as a scenic spot for autumn leaves.
The "Momiji Festival" is also held, and it is crowded with many people.
There are four types of shuin stamps, and a special edition with powerful gold letters is also available.
[Access: Get off at Oyama Temple Station on the Oyama Cable Car and walk for about 3 minutes]

・Oyama Afuri Shrine
This shrine was founded more than 2,200 years ago and enshrines the three gods of Oyama Sho Ōkami, Ōikazuchi Kami, and Takaokami.
The head office (main shrine) is located at the top of Mt. Oyama, and the lower office is located in the middle.
The view you can see when you get off the Oyama Cable Car Afuri Shrine Station, which has been awarded 2 stars in the "Michelin Green Guide Japon", is a must-see!
[Access: Get off at Oyama Cable Car "Afuri Shrine Station"]

■Hinata Yakushi
The official name "Hinatasan Hojobo" is one of the three yakushi in Japan, whose main shrine is the statue of Yakushi Nyorai.
Until the end of the Edo period, it was called "Hinatasan Ryozenji" and was a base for Hyuga Shugen, where monks piled up penance in the spiritual land.
Every year in mid-September, red spider liliies bloom around Hyuga Yakushi and many people visit.

Hyuga Yakushi is full of highlights, including the statue of a Kongo sumo wrestler on the approach!
At the Treasure Hall, a facility built to house cultural properties, it is possible to see 23 historic Buddha statues, 8 designated by the government and 2 designated by the prefecture.
In addition, the main hall "Yakushido", which features a thatched roof, is also designated as a nationally designated important cultural property.

■ Isehara Tower Mountain Ryokuchi Park
In the vast park, which covers a total of about 13 hectares of parks and civic green spaces, there are promenades and lawn squares, where you can enjoy a relaxing time while being healed by nature.
The promenade is well maintained, so even small children can enjoy hiking with peace of mind.

■ Sangakuen
It is a tangerine orchard with a cultivation area of 1 ha and about 900 tangerine trees!
The tangerine picking season runs from mid-September to February.
From mid-September, you can enjoy very early mandarin oranges such as Hinanohime and Nichinan No. 1, and from early October, you can enjoy picking varieties of mandarin oranges such as Miyagawa Hayao and Taguchi Hayao.

In addition, from spring to summer, you can experience barbecue and vegetable harvesting!
Since Sangakuen is located on the side of a mountain, you can enjoy the scenery of Sagami Bay, Enoshima, and the Boso Peninsula on a sunny day.

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Event information in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
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In Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, various events are held throughout the year.

■Setsubun Festival
Celebrities are invited and held at Oyama Afuri Shrine, Sannomiya Hibita Shrine, Isehara Daijingu Shrine, etc.
[Period: The day before Risshun]

■Annual Spring Festival (Hibita Shrine)
Hibita Shrine has been a famous power spot since the Jomon period!
At the annual festival held in spring, three colorful and vivid Karakuri festival floats go around the town.
One of the attractions is the traditional performing arts village Kagura held in the temple grounds!
There are also 200 stalls unique to the festivals. (At the time of 2023)
[Date: Usually held in April]

■Oyama Illustrated Lantern Festival
It is a fantastic festival where handmade Illustrated lanterns line up along the Oyama Shindo (bypass) and illuminate the road at night.
The Illustrated Lantern designs include motifs based on Nishiki-e paintings from the Edo period, as well as paintings of popular characters.
Events such as stamp rallies will also be held during the period.
[Period: Mid to late August every year]

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Accommodation information for Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
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Isehara City is dotted with inns, shukubo, and hotels nestled in the quiet mountains.
At each accommodation, you can taste dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, or just use them for meals.
Accommodation information is also introduced on the official website of the Isehara City Tourism Association, so please refer to it!

Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture is rich in attractions, such as the powerful nature of Mt. Oyama, historical landmarks, and shrines and temples with a mysterious atmosphere.
We will continue to disseminate the charm of Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture on this account.
Thank you in advance!