Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (February – early March)
Japan's best-known early cherry blossoms: about 850 Kawazu-zakura trees along the Kawazu river, in bloom from early February.
- Trees
- about 850 along the river, about 8,000 in the town
- When
- February to early March (7 Feb – 8 Mar in 2026)
Kawazu-zakura is an early-flowering cherry with deep pink blossoms, first found in Kawazu. While most of Japan is still in winter, about 850 trees bloom along the banks of the Kawazu river, and about 8,000 across the town as a whole. Yellow rapeseed flowers bloom underneath them along parts of the riverbank.
When
The festival is held every February; the 36th edition ran from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Flowering begins in early February and usually peaks in late February or early March. The dates for 2027 are usually announced in autumn.
Tips
- Go by train: the Izukyu line stops at Kawazu station, right next to the trees. Roads and car parks are very crowded on weekends.
- Walk upstream from the station along the river; the crowds thin out after the first kilometre.
- Stalls sell local food, including sakura-flavoured sweets.
Later in spring: the Izu-Kogen cherry avenue (late March) and the roses of Kawazu Bagatelle Park (May–June).
