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In 2024, the festival is held from February 1-29.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (͒ÍՂ, Kawazuzakura Matsuri) is held yearly from early February to early March in the city of Kawazu, located on the Izu Peninsula.

The popular event celebrates the flowering of the Kawazu Cherry Trees (Kawazuzakura) and attracts almost two million visitors annually as one of the earliest opportunities in the year to see large numbers of cherry blossoms near Tokyo.

Kawazuzakura are an early flowering variety of cherry tree. The trees usually start opening around the beginning of February, but do so at an uncharacteristically slow pace compared to most other cherry tree varieties. Consequently, visitors have a longer time frame (about a month) to enjoy the trees' beautiful flowers. The best viewing time usually last for about two weeks around late February and early March, although this can vary quite a bit from year to year depending on the temperatures.

As their name suggests, Kawazu Cherry Trees were first discovered in Kawazu in the 1950s. They were then systematically planted across the city by the various neighborhoods of the city, mostly along the Kawazu River, which flows west of Kawazu Station. A short walk from the river, the original Kawazuzakura tree that led to the fame of this sakura variety stands in a residential district. Visitors can see the over 60 year old tree up close.

Fittingly, the festival takes place along the banks of the Kawazu River, which is lined by seemingly never-ending rows of Kawazu Cherry Trees stretching approximately four kilometers. Typically, the trees in the town center start to open their cherry blossoms first, before the season gradually spreads upriver towards the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls.

Almost equally numerous are festival stalls that line the walking path along the river, offering a wide selection of cooked food, dried foodstuff, locally produced citrus fruits, souvenirs, and small Kawazuzakura trees that can be taken home and planted. Yellow rape blossoms which open at about the same time as the Kawazuzakura add to the lovely scenery. Night illuminations are held during the festival from 18:00 to 21:00.

Getting there and around

The festival venue is most easily accessed from Kawazu Station on the Izukyu Railway Line. Immediately upon exiting the station you will come across the festival stalls and Kawazuzakura trees. It takes less than five minutes to walk to the Kawazu River from the station.

How to get to and around the Izu Peninsula

Hotels around Izu Peninsula

Top rated on the Izu Peninsula
Budget:
    • Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI
      Luxury
      Facing the beachfront, Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI offers 5-star accommodation in Atami and features a fitness centre, terrace and restaurant. The property is set 600 metres from Atami Sun Beach, 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station and 32 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. The hotel has a sauna, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room has a kettle, while some rooms come with a balcony and others also have sea views. At Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. At Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. There is an on-site bar and guests can also make use of the business area. Speaking English, Japanese and Chinese, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area at the reception. Mount Daruma is 47 km from the hotel, while Hakone Checkpoint is 20 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 55 km from Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI.
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    • Watei Kazekomichi
      Luxury
      Featuring mountain views, Watei Kazekomichi provides accommodation with balcony, around 2.1 km from Atami Sun Beach. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the open-air bath, or enjoy sea views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a hot tub. The ryokan offers certain units with garden views, and each unit is equipped with a kettle. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Shuzen-ji Temple is 31 km from the ryokan, while Hakone-Yumoto Station is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from Watei Kazekomichi.
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    • SOKI ATAMI
      Luxury
      Situated in Atami in the Shizuoka region with Atami Sun Beach nearby, SOKI ATAMI features accommodation with free private parking, as well as access to a hot spring bath. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation offers full-day security, and luggage storage for guests. Fitted with a balcony, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet and slippers. A fridge and kettle are also available. At the ryokan, each unit is fitted with bed linen and towels. The ryokan offers a buffet or Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 28 km from SOKI ATAMI, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 32 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 55 km from the accommodation.
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    • Atami Sekaie
      Luxury
      Atami Sekaie is set in Atami, 2.6 km from Atami Sun Beach, 25 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, and 35 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk. At the ryokan, each unit comes with a private bathroom. Mount Daruma is 49 km from the ryokan, while Hakone Checkpoint is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 57 km from Atami Sekaie.
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    • Guest House MARUYA
      Budget-friendly
      Located in the central area of Atami and a 15-minute walk from JR Atami Station, Guest House MARUYA offers capsule rooms fitted with Japanese futon-bedding. Guests can take a few minutes' walk to soak in the nearby hot springs or a 10-minute drive to visit the Atami Castle. JR Shinyokohama Station can be reached with a 50-minute ride on the shinkansen (bullet train). Haneda Airport is a 2-hour drive away from the property. There is a shared kitchen and lounge, where guests can socialise and relax. Washing machines and towel rentals are available at a surcharge. Each room at MARUYA Guest House comes with a power outlet and clothes hangers. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Meals are not provided at the property; however, there are several dining options nearby.
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    • Taiseikan
      Mid-range
      Offering an open-air bath and sea view, Taiseikan is set in Atami, 2.3 km from Nagahama Beach and 25 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. Ideally located in the Ajiro Onsen district, this ryokan offers a shared lounge, as well as a hot spring bath and a public bath. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 34 km from the ryokan, while Mount Daruma is 39 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 61 km from Taiseikan.
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    • ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTEL
      Mid-range
      Set in Atami, 1.5 km from Atami Sun Beach, ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTEL offers accommodation with a garden, private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. Some rooms also feature a kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. At the hotel the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTEL offers a range of wellness facilities including a hot tub and a hot spring bath. You can play table tennis at the accommodation. Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km from ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTEL, while Mount Daruma is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from the hotel.
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    • Atami Korakuen Hotel
      Luxury
      Situated in Atami, 1.4 km from Atami Sun Beach, Atami Korakuen Hotel features accommodation with a terrace, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The property is set 28 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, 33 km from Shuzen-ji Temple and 47 km from Mount Daruma. The hotel has a sauna, room service and free WiFi. The units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV, and some units at Atami Korakuen Hotel have a balcony. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. The reception at Atami Korakuen Hotel can provide tips on the area. Hakone Checkpoint is 21 km from the hotel, while Hakone Shrine is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 54 km from Atami Korakuen Hotel.
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    • Guesthouse Nishihara
      Budget-friendly
      Offering a garden and mountain view, Guesthouse Nishihara is located in Atami, 1.9 km from Atami Sun Beach and 25 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. With free WiFi, this 2-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a barbecue. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee machine, a hot tub, slippers and a desk. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a fridge, a stovetop, and kitchenware. At the guest house, every unit has bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Shuzen-ji Temple is 34 km from the guest house, while Mount Daruma is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from Guesthouse Nishihara.
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    • ISHINOYA Atami
      Luxury
      Situated in Atami and only 2.7 km from Atami Sun Beach, ISHINOYA Atami features accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. This 4-star ryokan offers a lift and free shuttle service. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. There is a shared bathroom with bidet in some units, along with bathrobes, slippers and a hair dryer. At the ryokan, some units are allergy-free. For guests with children, the ryokan provides an indoor play area. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 27 km from ISHINOYA Atami, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 31 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 57 km from the accommodation.
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