Wintersweet 蝋梅 - a slightly different experience

Mid Jan - Mid Feb. Starving for blossoms in January? Fed up with winter illumination? Don't want to wait for Plum blossom or Kawazu Sakura? Maybe Wintersweet (roubai) is an option. Blooming from Mid of January to mid of Febuary it's actually not so much about their blossoms or beauty but about the smell. Located in Matsuda, the roubai matsuri is not that easy to reach, but the experience of the intensive nice smell might be worth the trip. It's a rather local thing though. I.e. don't expect Tokyo crowds, don't expect a lot of food stands and other matsuri-like things. Don't expect too much and feel surprised how intense a grove of those bushes can smell.

Location: Odakyu Line to Shin Matsuda station then take a bus for half an hour. They do not run that often so check in advance. Walking is actually no option. That would be a real hike.