It's (Almost) Spring! at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

What is kawazuzakura?

Kawazuzakura cherry blossoms

Kawazuzakura is a type of cherry blossom found in Japan, and has a slightly darker pink color.

It blooms from around mid February to March, which is early compared to most cherry blossoms, such as the someiyoshino, which blooms around late March.

Another characteristic of kawazuzakura is that is blooms for about one whole month, which is longer than the someiyoshino’s blooming period. Kawazuzakura is a popular cherry blossom that signals the very start of spring.

The beginnings of kawazuzakura

In 1955, a man living in the town of Kawazu in Shizuoka found a seedling by chance, and planted it. The flowers of the plant blossomed in 1966, and the tree was studied for its early blossoming.

It turned out to be a completely new type of tree, and in 1974, it was given the name “kawazuzakura” in honor of the town it was first planted in.

About the Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossom Festival

The Kawazuzakura Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in Shizuoka prefecture’s Kawazu-cho, where the tree was first planted.

It is held from the beginning of February for about one month. In 2018, the festival was held between February 10 and March 10.

During the festival, there are many food trucks serving local dishes from all over Shizuoka. In the evening, the cherry blossoms are lit up. The festival is packed with events that are fun for visitors of all ages.

Where to see kawazuzakura

About 8,000 kawazuzakra trees are planted throughout the town of Kawazu. By the Kawazu River that flows through the town, there are 800 kawazuzakura trees.

You can find the trees all over the town. Here are some spots where the view of the kawazuzakura trees is especially beautiful.

Here is a map of all of the cherry blossom viewing spots throughout the town.

The first kawazuzakura tree ever planted

The first kawazuzakura tree ever planted

You can find the first kawazuzakura tree ever planted at the house where Iida Katsumi, the man who planted the very first kawazuzakura tree, used to live.

The original tree, planted in 1955, still remains in the front yard of the house.

Kajiya-no-sakura

Kajiya-no-sakura

Kajiya-no-sakura is a lone cherry blossom tree, and is famous in the town. Every year, this tree impresses with its grand blooming of the flowers.

Kajiya-no-sakura’s extravagant flowers

Kajiya-no-sakura can be found right in front of the Kawazu Tourism Exchange Center. The tree is so big that some of the branches stick out onto the road. The tree is not very tall, but the dark pink flowers are packed super densely.

Canola Road

The view from the riverbed

The Canola Road can be found on the eastern side of the Kawazu River, between Kinomiya Bridge and Arakura Bridge. From there, you can see kawazuzakura cherry blossoms with the canola flowers.

Take a photo from a lower angle to capture the canola flowers and the cherry blossoms in one frame!

Kawazuzakura Tunnel

Kawazuzakura Tunnel

The Kawazuzakura Tunnel can be found near the Kawazu-ideyu Bridge and the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan. Kawazuzakura cherry blossoms trees are planted along both sides of the promenade, creating a cherry blossom tunnel.

Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge

Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge and the Kawazuzakura cherry blossom trees

The Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge locates on the outskirts of Kawazu. It is a unique bridge that connects two areas with a steep elevation difference, and does so by creating two loops on the bridge.

Kawazuzakura cherry blossom trees are planted under the bridge. You can see the trees as you drive down the bridge.

Kawazuzakura light-up

The Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge at night

During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, some of the cherry blossom trees throughout the city are lit up.

The light-up takes place at the promenade (6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.), near the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan (6:00p.m. – 9:30p.m.), 11 famous trees (6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.) and the Kawazu-Nanadaru Loop Bridge (6:00p.m. – 10:00p.m.)

The light-up at night

The light up by the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan is especially beautiful. The cherry blossom tunnel is lit up, and you can walk through it and look at it from afar for a breathtaking view.

Saburo Kawazu’s Footbath

The town of Kawazu is also famous as an onsen (hot spring) town. Near the festival venues, too, are many hot springs facilities.

By the row of cherry blossom trees are three footbath facilities: Hosen Footbath, Sakura Footbath and Saburo Kawazu’s Footbath. At these footbath facilities, you can relax and see the cherry blossom trees at the same time.

Saburo Kawazu’s footbath is located on the second floor of Tanizu Onsen. From there, you can see the row of cherry blossom trees from above.

・ Footbath hours: 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.
・ Fee: free

Kawazuzakura Night Walk

Join the Kawazuzakura Night Walk tour and take an evening stroll under the kawazuzakura trees! The tour is free of charge, and after completion you can get a commemorative badge.

Before the tour, there is a special demonstration of the tezutsu fireworks, or handheld fireworks. The handheld fireworks display is dynamic and full of energy.

・ When: 8:00p.m.; registration from 7:30p.m. (Held on Feb. 23 in 2018)
・ Where: Kawazu Tourism Exchange Center Parking Lot
・ Capacity: 200 people

Access

Nearest station: Kawazu Station (Izu Kyuko Line)

From Tokyo Station

【Tokyo Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Nagoya
→【Atami Sta.】JR Ito Line / for Ito
→【Ito Sta.】Izu Kyuko Line / for Izukyu Shimoda
→【Kawazu Sta.】

From Shizuoka Station

【Shizuoka Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Tokyo
→【Atami Sta.】JR Ito Line / for Ito
→【Ito Sta.】Izu Kyuko Line / for Izukyu Shimoda
→【Kawazu Sta.】

From Mount Fuji Shizuoka Airport

【Shizuoka Airport】Airport Bus / for Shizuoka Sta.
→【Shizuoka Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Tokyo
→【Atami Sta.】JR Ito Line / for Ito
→【Ito Sta.】Izu Kyuko Line / for Izukyu Shimoda
→【Kawazu Sta.】

Pretty but unpredictable…

It is difficult to estimate when kawazu cherry blossoms bloom. In previous years, the flowers have blossomed as early as New Years Day, while they have also not blossomed in mid-February in other years.

On the official home page of the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, there is a kawazuzakura cherry blossom tracker. You can check the site frequently to keep up with this year’s kawazuzakura blooming information.