Oimachi is a very small town near Odawara that features a park at the top of a small mountain that has a 19-hectare park of cherry trees supported and maintained by local volunteers.
Oi Yume-no-Sato Park is only about a 15-minute taxi ride from Shin-Matsuda Station on the Odakyu Line, or a 60- to 70-minute drive from Tokyo on the Tomei Expressway. Parking is available for free nearby at the farmers’ market.
Looking west from the peak of the park, you have a panoramic view that includes Kawazu-sakura cherry blossoms, which bloom between mid-February through early March, the neighboring town of Kaiseimachi, and a great view of Mt. Fuji.
Although the park has picnic tables, most visitors lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy a nice bento under the trees. The park was not crowded during my visit from about noon until sunset. This small and relatively unknown park allows you to take your time and enjoy the views, breath the fresh air, and enjoy the chirping of different birds feeding on the cherry blossom nectar.
The park is pet-friendly, has restrooms, a playground for children, and lots of space to walk around where you can get some nice photos without the huge crowds.
Photos were shot on the full-frame DSLR Pentax K1-II with the Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD lens and the Fujifilm X100V (23mm) with a 5% diffusion filter.
Check out my blog post for this photo shoot where details of all the photos are provided in addition how to access, where to park your car, links to the maps, and source references for all the details I researched.
https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20230228-oi-yume-no-sato-park
If any of the photos in this video piqued your interest, feel free to check my store for digital downloads, licensing, or to order prints at:
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Below is a list of gear I took with me on this photo shoot.
Camera Gear:
Pentax K-1 Mark II (K1-II)
https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
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Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
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Fujifilm X100V
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Moment Camera Filter 5% CineBloom Diffusion Filter
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Haoge LH-ES3 Square Metal Lens Hood with Hollow Out Design 49mm Adapter Ring with Cap
https://amzn.to/3Nla3Ne
Fujifilm PRF-49S
https://amzn.to/3WdApF0
Video Gear:
Canon EOS Kiss M/M50 Double Zoom Kit
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SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
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RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
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GoPro Hero 11 Black + Accessories Bundle
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GoPro Chesty (Chest Mount)
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Filters & Filter Systems:
PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter – 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter – 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter – 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer – 67mm
https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
https://amzn.to/37hjkBv
Pack:
F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
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F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
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*Links to Amazon are affiliated links, which means that if you choose to purchase an item that I may get a small commission, which has no effect on your purchase price whatsoever.
Music tracks licensed via Epidemic Sound. Visit this referral link to sign up for a subscription at Epidemic Sound:
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“Calling Me” composed by Henrik Olsson, and Sandra Bjurman and performed by Ooyy.