Latest information for the wintersweet on Mt Hodo, Nagatoro

General information about wintersweet aka Japanese allspice aka Robai, as well as the latest information for the Wintersweet and Wintersweet festival at Hodosan Robaien (Nagatoro) in February 2026. Yes, this year the wintersweet are later than usual on Hodosan and the festival will also be later to reflect that. There are also a couple of other changes in 2026 which are outlined in this post.

In this post:

• General Wintersweet information
• Wintersweet in Japan
• Visiting the Nagatoro Hodosan Wintersweet Grove
  • Festival / Light up
  • Information
  • Access

Wintersweet

Wintersweet, also known as Japanese Allspice, or by its scientific name Chimonanthus praecox, is a winter blooming deciduous shrub that is most loved for its honeyed smell. Not that its appearance is too shabby either. The vibrant yellow of its wax like petals offers beautiful bursts of colour. And the best part is that it begins flowering when little else is, in the middle of winter. In Japan, that period usually falls in January and February.

Wintersweet Japan

In Japanese, Wintersweet is Robai (Roubai) 蝋梅 ロウバイ which is often translated as “wax Japanese apricot”. It was so named because of its resemblance to the ume tree, which is most commonly translated as a plum blossom but in Japan is said to be a Japanese apricot.

When and where can I see wintersweet in Japan?

The wintersweet in the Kanto region (Greater Tokyo area) begins to bloom in early January, shortly after New Year and often when people are still on their New Year holidays. Mt Hodo, Nagatoro, is one of the most popular places to see the wintersweet in the greater Tokyo area. (Kaminagano in Annaka, Gunma, also has a large wintersweet garden).

Other places you can see wintersweet aka robai aka Japanese Allspice near Tokyo (External Website “Must Love Japan). And on this site: 10 places for wintersweet (robai) in Saitama Prefecture.

Nagatoro Hodosan Robaien

A wintersweet garden or grove is called a robaien in Japanese. There are approximately 3000 robai / Japanese allspice / wintersweet in this grove. The Nagatoro Hodosan Robaien is at the top of the 497 meter high Mt Hodo. Beside the Hodosan summit shrine and close to Hodosan zoo. You can get to the top of the mountain and the wintersweet garden by hiking up the mountain or by using the Hodosan ropeway (on weekends):

Nagatoro Tourist Association report on the condition of the wintersweet during the bloom period. The first report for the 2025 season was on December 28th, when quite a few buds had started to blossom. But in 2026 they didn’t report until January, because the wintersweet seem to be late this year. Best viewing is usually at the end of January or early February. However, in 2026 it will be February. Often you can see both wintersweet and ume plum blossoms together toward the end of February.

January is a beautiful month in Japan. Dry bright sunny days with clear blue skies. The bright yellow against the deep blue is a magnificent sight. And the smell is out of this world. Occasionally you can see snow at the start of January forging an even more impressive scene.

Nagatoro Hodosan Wintersweet Festival

The 2026 Nagatoro Hodosan Wintersweet Festival doesn’t start until Sunday February 1st in 2026. It will be on until the end of February. In previous years the wintersweet was lit up on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from sunset to 7 pm in the first half of February. But there is no light up in 2026. Usually, the wintersweet festival overlaps with the plum blossom festival for one week, but not in 2026. The two combined are called ‘The Nagatoro Winter Flower Story’. They usually run a free shuttle bus, from the station to the ropeway, for the duration of the Nagatoro Winter Flower Story:

Official event page.

Wintersweet Nagatoro Hodosan Robaien Information

Season: on average from early January to end of February with best viewing generally from late January or early February.

Festival 2026: from Sunday February 1st to February 28th 2026. There is no light up in 2026.

Hours: the mountain is never closed, but if you want to go up by ropeway it generally doesn’t start until 9.40 am. Please note that the ropeway only runs on weekends in January. More in the access section below.

Cost: no charge for viewing the wintersweet. Facilities and services (including the ropeway) have varying charges.

Official robaien page

Wintersweet Nagatoro Access

The closest train station to Mt Hodo is the Nagatoro station on the Chichibu Tetsudo line (Chichibu railway). The official address of the wintersweet garden is actually Minano, but right on the border of Nagatoro. During the period of the official festival there is usually a free shuttle bus from the station to the foot of the mountain between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

From the foot of the mountain you can either hike up or take the ropeway. However, in January the ropeway only operates on weekends and New Years day. Occasionally it will run on weekdays if there are a lot of tourists. Also, it sometimes is closed early January (except New Years Day). You can check for information and hours on the official Chichibu Railway website. The ropeway costs 820 yen round trip (410 yen one way) for anyone over six years old.

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