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All Japan Kawazu Kawazu Sakura Festival

Kawazu Sakura Festival

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

Kawazu, Japan

Added By
madiechan
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Kawazu cherry trees.   norikazu/Deposit Photos
Kawazu cherry trees.   norikazu/Deposit Photos
Kawazu river.   Koichi Shibata
Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Festival.   Izu navi/CC BY 2.0
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About

Every February, when the final weeks of winter still linger over the land, one Japanese town is treated to an early burst of vivid springtime color. Gorgeous bright pink flowers give locals and visitors alike a sneak peek of the cherry blossom displays that will bloom across the country a few weeks later.

Kawazu is home to some of the earliest Sakura blooms in all of Japan. From mid-February to mid-March, the river meandering through the town is lined by thousands of the beautiful bubblegum-pink petals, all thanks to one original tree that can still be viewed today. Pedestrians can walk beneath breathtaking canopies of cotton candy-colored blossoms, or soak in nearby hot springs and spas while admiring the floral display.

The Kawazu cherry trees were discovered in Kawazu in the 1950s. Noticing the blossoms had a deeper, more vivid pink color than other types of cherry trees, locals then deliberately planted seeds along the riverbank, giving the town its signature pink-striped waterway. The original Kawazu Sakura tree is planted in a residential area, which is still possible to view.

People from across Japan—and beyond—venture to the town to experience its early blossoms. An annual festival celebrates the spectacular trees, complete with street vendors and family-friendly activities.

Related Tags

Festivals Trees Plants Flowers Pink

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There is an Izu Peninsula rail way ticket which allows you free travel within the Izu peninsula.

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Added By

madiechan

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

February 20, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6314.html
  • https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kawazu-early-cherry-blossoms-pictures_us_58a5cf60e4b037d17d258ca5
  • https://www.cntraveler.com/story/cherry-blossom-season-in-kawazu-japan-photos
Kawazu Sakura Festival
Sasahara, 河津町
Kawazu
Japan
34.746966, 138.992602
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Nearby Places

Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge

Kawazu, Japan

miles away

Usami Kannon-ji

Itō, Japan

miles away

Mount Mihara

Ōshima Island, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kawazu

Kawazu

Japan

Places 2

Nearby Places

Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge

Kawazu, Japan

miles away

Usami Kannon-ji

Itō, Japan

miles away

Mount Mihara

Ōshima Island, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kawazu

Kawazu

Japan

Places 2

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List

By Jonathan Carey

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