Cherry Blossom Report 2013
Official cherry blossom reports by japan-guide.com

2013 Cherry Blossom Forecast - Schedule of upcoming reports - Popular cherry blossom spots
How to do hanami? - Cherry tree varieties - Post your own report

 
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2013/02/28 - Kawazu Report
by schauwecker

Kawazu is a small town along the southeastern coast of the Izu Peninsula, a two hour train ride from Tokyo. The town is the birthplace of the Kawazu Cherry, one of the earliest flowering cherry tree varieties. The trees usually start opening their blossoms around early February and are in full bloom around late February and early March.

Kawazu Cherry

This year's winter has been colder than average, causing a delay in the flowering schedule. Today, a majority of trees still had more than half of their blossoms closed. The warmer temperatures of the coming days should propel them into full bloom within a relatively short time frame, though, making the upcoming two weeks or so the best time for a visit to Kawazu this spring.

Kawazu cherry trees (about 30-40 percent open) alongside yellow rape flowers (nanohana)

Cherry blossom tunnel

Less people, more blossoms - the trees along this stretch further up the river were among the most progressed today

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (河津桜まつり, Kawazu-zakura Matsuri) is held from February 5 to March 10, 2013 (extended until March 17 due to the blossoms' slow pace this year) at multiple sites across the town, including a four kilometer stretch along Kawazu's river. In addition to the blossoms, visitors can enjoy food stalls and events during the festival, as well as nightly illuminations of the trees from 18:00 to 21:00.

Festival foods on sale

Sakura Udon

Kawazu is conveniently reached from Tokyo by direct Odoriko limited express trains, which are fully covered by the Kanto Area Pass. Japan Rail Pass holders need to pay a supplement for the non-JR section south of Ito. Low budget travelers should consider access by local trains instead of limited express trains. The fastest approach to Kawazu is by Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami followed by a train ride down the Izu Peninsula, but note that the Kanto Area Pass is not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

White heron

Along the river

Bee at work

 
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List of Posts:
2013/05/09 - Hakodate Report
2013/05/08 - Matsumae Report
2013/05/02 - Hirosaki Report
2013/05/01 - Kakunodate Report
2013/04/30 - Kitakami Report
2013/04/18 - Sendai Report
2013/04/17 - Takayama Report
2013/04/15 - Fukushima Report
2013/04/12 - Matsumoto Report
2013/04/11 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/10 - Mount Fuji Report
2013/04/10 - Hakone Report
2013/04/10 - Kanazawa Report
2013/04/09 - Yoshino Report
2013/04/08 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/08 - Tokyo Report
2013/04/05 - Mount Fuji Report
2013/04/04 - Kyoto Report
2013/04/04 - Gunma Report
2013/04/03 - Takamatsu Report
2013/04/02 - Osaka Report
2013/04/02 - Hiroshima Report
2013/04/01 - Tokyo Report
2013/04/01 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/29 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/28 - Gunma Report
2013/03/28 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/27 - Osaka Report
2013/03/27 - Fukuoka Report
2013/03/26 - Nagoya Report
2013/03/26 - Kamakura Report
2013/03/26 - Okayama Report
2013/03/25 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/24 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/23 - Kagoshima Report
2013/03/22 - Kumamoto Report
2013/03/21 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/21 - Fukuoka Report
2013/03/20 - Kyoto Report
2013/03/17 - Tokyo Report
2013/03/12 - Tokyo Report
2013/02/28 - Kawazu Report