Kawazu-zakura and the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in Izu

Updated October 25, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

Most visitors plan cherry blossom trips for late March or early April, but Japan has a variety that flowers weeks earlier, while winter is still in the air. It is called Kawazu-zakura, and its home is the town of Kawazu on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. Every year the town holds a cherry blossom festival around the trees, with an evening glow along the river and bright rapeseed flowers in the fields. This guide covers where the tree came from, when and where to see it, and how to enjoy the festival comfortably and considerately.

Meet Kawazu Town

Kawazu is a town on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, in Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture. It faces Sagami Bay and the Pacific Ocean, and the Amagi Mountains lie to its west. Wikipedia gives its population as 7,203 as of 1 August 2019 and its total area as 100.79 square km.

Parts of the town lie within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and the area has many hot springs. The town's economy is based on farming and tourism, centered on hot spring resorts. Wikipedia describes a climate with hot summers and short, cool winters moderated by the offshore Kuroshio current, with an average annual temperature of 16.3 C and a coldest month, January, averaging about 7.3 C.

What Is Kawazu-zakura?

Kawazu-zakura is a cherry tree variety known for early bloom and deep, vivid color. English Wikipedia lists it as a representative cultivar that blooms before the arrival of spring, a natural hybrid of the Oshima cherry and Prunus campanulata, known for deep pink petals. The Japanese Wikipedia article describes single flowers of 4 to 5 cm with purplish-red petals, and notes that the hybrid is a natural cross of Oshima cherry and Kanhi cherry that was then crossed again with Kanhi cherry.

For comparison, English Wikipedia gives early April as the bloom time for Kyoto and Tokyo, so Kawazu-zakura, which begins flowering in early February, arrives roughly two months ahead of the cherry trees in those cities.

A Tree Found by the River

The origin story is short and specific. According to Japanese Wikipedia, the tree was discovered in 1955 by Iida Katsumi of Kawazu, who found a roughly 1 m tree in weeds along the Kawazu River and planted it in his garden. Its first flowering was observed in 1966, propagation began around 1968, and it was named Kawazu-zakura in 1974. The town designated it as its tree in 1975.

Locally the tree was first called Komine-zakura, after the Iida family's house name, before it received its present name. The same article says the original tree still stands at the discovery site.

The festival's official site mentions live cameras that show the Tourism Exchange Center and the original Kawazu cherry trees, a helpful way to check conditions before traveling.

When the Blossoms Come

The town's tourism information says Kawazu-zakura begins flowering in early February, with a bloom period typically from early February to early March. Full bloom lasts about a week to 10 days, and the tree reaches full bloom roughly a month after flowering begins. The same page says five to six tenths bloom is enough for a satisfying viewing, which is helpful advice for travelers who cannot time their visit perfectly.

Bloom timing varies with the weather each year. A visit can be adjusted using the live cameras and the festival's updates, so flexible dates make planning easier.

Why Timing Is Flexible Here

Because flowering starts in early February and builds to full bloom about a month later, the window for a visit is wide. Japanese Wikipedia also records that when blooming is delayed, the town has held a one-week special event called Kawazu Haru Urara Matsuri, which ran in 2012 and 2013. Whether anything similar is offered in a given year depends on conditions, so follow the festival's official updates.

A Note on the Trees Along the River

Japanese Wikipedia notes that the 1998 revised River Act banned planting trees in river areas, and that trees on embankments can weaken the banks. Visitors should keep this in mind and treat the riverbank gently, staying on paths.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

The festival's official site shows that the 2026 festival ran from February 7 to March 8, 2026, and describes it as the 36th festival. It is run by the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival Executive Committee. Japanese Wikipedia says the festival has been held since 1991, usually from roughly February 10 to March 10, and Japan Experience gives the same February 10 to March 10 range. Dates change by year, so check the official site before planning.

The tree avenue runs about 3 km along the river from near Kawazu Station toward the river mouth and is lit at night, according to Japanese Wikipedia. The town's tourism information counts about 850 trees along the Kawazu River and about 8,000 cherry trees blooming across the area in total. Japan Experience gives a different figure of about 8,000 trees along the river, so tree counts differ between sources; the town's own numbers are the safer reference.

Lights, Stalls and Yellow Fields

Japan Experience reports that light displays illuminate the trees each evening from 18:00 to 21:00, that food stands sell cherry blossom charms and local crafts, and that rapeseed fields along the area stretch for more than 4 km, contrasting with the pink blossoms. It also estimates around one million visitors each spring. The festival's official site reports that the mowing of the rapeseed along the flower road was completed on September 29, 2026, in preparation for next year's festival.

Evening hours and the details of any illumination can change, so confirm them on the festival's official site.

Planning the Trip

Kawazu is on the Izu Peninsula's east coast, and the festival's official site has an access section and a banner for the Izukyu Park and Train ticket (check the site itself for details). For questions, it lists the Kawazu Tourism Association phone number as 0558-32-0290. Because the festival draws large crowds, plan for slower roads and busy trains, start early in the day, and consider traveling on a weekday. Please check the current access page rather than relying on an older guidebook.

Pack for a winter day. January is the coldest month in Kawazu, averaging about 7.3 C, and evenings by the river will feel cooler, so wear warm layers, a hat and comfortable walking shoes. Check the weather forecast before you go, and be careful on wet or uneven riverside paths in the dark.

Hot Springs and Bathing Safety

Since the area has many hot springs, a soak after a cold day outdoors is a natural idea. Follow each bath's posted rules, rinse before entering, drink water, and avoid very hot water if you are sensitive to heat or have health concerns. If you have heart or blood pressure conditions, consult a doctor before bathing, especially in cold weather, when sudden changes in temperature can be a strain.

Being a Considerate Visitor

The trees are a community treasure. Keep to paths, do not climb trees or break branches, and stay out of rapeseed fields and private land. Keep walkways clear when taking photos, take litter with you, and follow instructions from festival staff. Use any designated parking and avoid stopping on roads. Many stalls sell food and crafts, so a small purchase is a nice way to thank the community.

Quick Facts

When was Kawazu-zakura discovered? In 1955, according to the town's tourism information and Japanese Wikipedia.

When does it bloom? Typically early February to early March.

How long was the 2026 festival? February 7 to March 8, 2026.

Which parent trees? Oshima cherry and a campanulata type (Kanhi cherry).

Keep Exploring

For a photo-driven view of the season, Tokyo Paul's Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook (Japan Photography Series) is described on Amazon as a collection of cherry blossom photographs at numerous locations, with location names and brief descriptions. See Japan Cherry Blossom Photobook on Amazon