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Kawazu-zakura (Kawazu Cherry Blossoms)
Cherry Blossom Season at Kawazu-zakura
Kawazu-zakura in Kawazu Town comes into full bloom in early February each year. Thanks to the area’s warm climate, these cherry blossoms bloom earlier than elsewhere. During the annual Kawazu-zakura Sakura Festival, held throughout the blooming season, the town is decorated in vibrant color by the deep pink blossoms that herald the arrival of early spring.
Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Matsuri
Kawazu-zakura has become well known as one of the earliest-blooming cherry blossoms in the areas surrounding Tokyo. (In contrast, typical cherry trees in Tokyo bloom between late March and early April.) Kawazu-zakura is distinguished by its large petals and bright pink color.
There are 8,000 cherry trees in Kawazu. The Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) is held during the blooming season and attracts one million Japanese and international visitors.
- Festival website: https://www.kawazu-onsen.com/eng/files/images/pdf/Kawazu-zakuraCherryBlossomFestival.pdf
About Kawazu-zakura
Kawazu-zakura is an early-flowering variety of cherry tree. The trees usually begin to open around the start of February, and they bloom at an uncharacteristically slow pace compared to many other cherry varieties. As a result, visitors have a longer period—about a month—to enjoy the flowers.
The best viewing typically lasts for about two weeks around late February and early March, though timing can vary considerably year to year depending on temperatures.
As the name suggests, Kawazu cherry trees were first discovered in Kawazu in the 1950s. They were then systematically planted across the town by local neighborhoods, primarily along the Kawazu River, which flows west of Kawazu Station. A short walk from the river, the original Kawazu-zakura tree that brought fame to this sakura variety still stands in a residential area, where visitors can see the over-60-year-old tree up close.
General Information
- Address: 72-12 Sasahara, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka , Japan
- Telephone:
Ease of Access
The festival venue is most easily accessed from Kawazu Station on the Izukyu Railway Line. As soon as you exit the station, you will find festival stalls and Kawazu-zakura trees. It takes less than five minutes to walk from the station to the Kawazu River.
Location
Kawazu-zakura is located in Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula. Kawazu is a town full of attractions, from beautiful Kawazu-zakura to beaches known for top-ranked water quality, as well as many nature-rich sightseeing destinations.
Beyond cherry blossoms, the area offers other scenic highlights, including ocean views from Imaihama (one of Izu’s most beautiful beaches) and the many waterfalls in the region, including the Seven Falls of Kawazu.
Social Media
- Website: https://www.kawazu-onsen.com/sakura/
