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Event Guide · Tokyo & Around

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

February–MarchIzu
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Overview

Overview

A cherry blossom festival in Kawazu, Shizuoka, home of the original tree of the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura variety. About 850 trees line roughly 4 km of the Kawazu River, with around 8,000 across the town, and their deep pink blossoms let you enjoy hanami from February, well ahead of the usual season.

When
Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February
Venue
Around Kawazu Station (Izukyu Line) and the cherry-lined banks of the Kawazu River (Kawazu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka)
Official website
https://kankou.town.kawazu.shizuoka.jp/attraction/147/
Highlights

Highlights

The highlight is the contrast between the deep pink cherry trees lining both banks of the Kawazu River and the yellow rapeseed blossoms blooming beneath them. Many stalls line the river, and at night the cherry tunnel is illuminated.

Times

Times

Evening cherry blossom illumination18:00–21:00

2026 example (same hours in 2023). Downstream of Yakata Bridge and around the cherry tunnel near Mine Onsen

Paid parking8:30–17:00

Evening parking (18:00–21:00) also available. 2026 example

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Bloom timing varies from year to year, so check the latest status before you go via the Kawazu-zakura bloom telephone service (0558-34-1560, January–March) or the tourism association website
  • ✓The festival starts right outside Izukyu Kawazu Station. Roads around the area get badly congested, so the train is recommended
  • ✓Walking along the river from Kawazu Station to the original tree (Iida Residence) takes over 30 minutes one way, so wear comfortable shoes
  • ✓About 100–120 stalls line the river, so you can snack as you stroll
  • ✓You can enjoy a free-flowing footbath at Oofunto Park in Mine Onsen
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Kawazu Station (Izukyu Line)Right outsideMain gateway to the festival
From major stations
  • Tokyo Station: Limited Express Odoriko direct to Kawazu Station (About 2 hr 40 min)
  • Atami Station: JR Ito Line and Izukyu Line to Kawazu Station (About 1 hr 30 min)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards such as Suica may only be usable in limited sections of the Izukyu Line, so it's safest to be ready to buy a paper ticket or pay in cash
Getting back
  • On weekend afternoons, the platform and ticket gates at Kawazu Station get extremely crowded and entry may be restricted. Reserve seats on your return limited express in advance
  • If you come by car, expect traffic jams on the way back too, such as on National Route 135
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekends and holidays during peak bloom, especially 10:00–15:00
Quieter times
Weekday mornings (before 9:00) and the evening illumination hours
Time needed
2–3 hours for a stroll along the river
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
The normal low in February on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula is around 5°C (a reference value based on JMA normals from a nearby observation point). Days may be mild, but mornings and evenings are chilly
What to wear
A light coat during the day, and proper warm clothing for the evening illumination. You'll walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
The festival runs every day during its period. You can still stroll under the cherry trees in the rain, but some stalls may close depending on the weather
Where to check for cancellations
Kawazu Town Tourism Association (TEL 0558-32-0290, https://kankou.town.kawazu.shizuoka.jp/) and the Kawazu-zakura festival info site (https://kawazuzakura.net/)
☁ Tokyo & Around weather in February →☁ Tokyo & Around weather in March →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Do not break or pull on cherry branches
  • !Do not enter private property or farm fields
  • !Take your trash home or use the designated bins
  • !Avoid using tripods and selfie sticks on the crowded tree-lined paths. Flying drones without permission is not allowed
  • !Do not smoke while walking
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Temporary toilets are set up in addition to permanent ones (nine locations in total were listed in 2026)
Lockers & luggage
Kawazu Station has few coin lockers and they fill up fast. It's best to leave large luggage at your accommodation or in Atami, Ito, or elsewhere before you come
Paying at food stalls
Many stalls are cash only, so bring small change
ATMs
Use convenience store ATMs around Kawazu Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The riverside path has dirt sections and uneven steps, so getting through with a wheelchair or stroller can be difficult when crowded
Food

Food

Local favorites
Wasabi-don (rice bowl topped with fresh wasabi)Izu seafood such as sakura shrimp and kinmedai (splendid alfonsino)Cherry-themed Japanese sweets and cherry blossom soft-serve ice creamHimono (dried fish)
Vegetarian & halal
Stalls rarely show vegetarian or halal labels, so ask at each one
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Onsen inns in Kawazu and around Izu get busy on peak-bloom weekends. Book early or consider staying in Atami, Ito, or Shimoda

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Kawazu Cherry Blossom FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Izu

Zoo

Izu Shaboten Zoo

Tokyo & Around ・ Ito / Izu Kogen

This zoo in Izu Kogen lets you enjoy animals alongside cacti and succulents. Ring-tailed lemurs and peacocks roam freely, so you can get unusually close to the animals.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Tokyo & Around

February–December

Atami Fireworks Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Izu

Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)

Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)

March

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually a Sunday in early March

2027: Mar 7 (Sun)

April–May

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)

Photo coming soonApril

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April

May

Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)

August

Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)

November

Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November

2026: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun)

November

Tori-no-Ichi

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day

2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)

November–February

Marunouchi Illumination

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)

2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)

December

Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")

2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

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