Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (‰Í’Ã÷Õ‚è, 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
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Izu Peninsula
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Watei KazekomichiLocated in Atami, within 2.1 km of Atami Sun Beach and 31 km of Shuzen-ji Temple, Watei Kazekomichi provides accommodation with an open-air bath and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Each accommodation at the 4-star ryokan has sea views, and guests can enjoy access to a hot spring bath. Each room is equipped with a balcony with views of the mountain. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms 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. Watei Kazekomichi offers certain units with garden views, and each room comes with a kettle. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at Watei Kazekomichi. The restaurant at the ryokan serves Japanese cuisine. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 31 km from Watei Kazekomichi, while Mount Daruma is 45 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House MARUYALocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel MicurasLocated along Atami Sun Beach and looking out to the Pacific Ocean, Hotel Micuras boasts spacious hot spring baths, a sauna and a massage spa. This modern and stylish hotel offers large guestrooms and free Wi-Fi at the public area. JR Atami Station is a 10-minute walk away. Fitted with a relaxing ambience and wide windows, each room comes with a comfortable sofa, a flat-screen TV and a DVD player. A fridge and an electric kettle with tea bags are also included. Rooms with sea views feature a shower booth with a rain shower head. While staying at the Micuras Hotel guests can unwind in the public hot spring baths with a great ocean view, or receive rejuvenating massages at on-site Sanacion Spa. Free luggage storage services are offered. The hotel is a 12-minute walk from Kinomiya Shrine. MOA Museum of Art is a 10-minute drive or taxi ride away. Micuras Dining restaurant offers exquisite French cuisine and fine wine in an elegant setting. The hotel serves American breakfast daily.View on Booking.com -
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TaiseikanBoasting a shared lounge, Taiseikan is set in Atami in the Shizuoka region, 2.3 km from Nagahama Beach and 25 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. Ideally located in the Ajiro Onsen district, this ryokan provides an open-air bath, 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. At the ryokan, every room has a tatami. Taiseikan offers some units with sea views, and all rooms include a kettle. All guest rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 34 km from Taiseikan, while Mount Daruma is 39 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 61 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
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Atami Korakuen HotelSituated 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 rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer, all rooms at Atami Korakuen Hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms also boast a balcony. The units will provide guests with a fridge. The reception at the accommodation can provide tips on the area. Hakone Checkpoint is 21 km from Atami Korakuen Hotel, while Hakone Shrine is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 54 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTELSet 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 3-star accommodation with a hot tub and hot spring bath. You can play table tennis at this 3-star hotel. Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km from the accommodation, while Mount Daruma is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from ATAMI SPRING TERRACE HOTEL.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel New AkaoHotel New Akao is a 10-minute ride from JR Atami Train Station, and a free shuttle is offered. The modern accommodation features hot-spring baths with ocean views, a rooftop garden and a French restaurant. Spacious guest rooms offer both air conditioning and heating facilities. Each room is equipped with a fridge, a tea maker and a television set. The en suite bathroom comes with toiletries and a bathtub. Free WiFi is availble in all areas.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse NishiharaLocated 1.9 km from Atami Sun Beach, Guesthouse Nishihara offers 2-star accommodation in Atami and has a garden. This 2-star guest house offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The guest house features family rooms. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee machine, a hot tub, slippers and a desk. The guest house provides certain rooms with mountain views, and each room includes a kettle. At Guesthouse Nishihara each room comes with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers 2-star accommodation with a hot spring bath and barbecue. Guesthouse Nishihara provides a daily maid service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 25 km from the guest house, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 34 km away. The nearest airport is Oshima Airport, 56 km from Guesthouse Nishihara.View on Booking.com -
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Yuyado IchibanchiFeaturing open-air hot-spring baths and traditional multi-course meals, Shihomiya Ryokan is a 3-minute walk from JR Atami Train Station. The Japanese rooms include futon beds and a flat-screen TV. Ryokan Shihomiyafs air-conditioned rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens. Guests can make fresh green tea or enjoy a drink from the minibar. A Western toilet is attached, and bathing facilities are shared. Kurai Shrine and MOA Museum are just 1.6 km away. Himenosawa Park and Nishi-Atami Golf Course are about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. A hot-spring bath can be reserved for private use, for a fee. Guests can relax with a massage. Coffee and tea are offered at the lobby cafe.View on Booking.com -
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Atami Onsen Guest House MegumiSituated in a quiet neighbourhood in Atami, Guest House Megumi is just a 5-minute walk from JR Atami Station. Atami Sun Beach is can be reached via a 4-minute stroll. Private parking and free WiFi are available on site. Every room has a sea view, and guests can enjoy fireworks during Atami Fireworks Festival in a guest room. A shared bathroom comes with free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is a shared lounge with a TV at the property. For guests' comfort, a natural hot spring bath is provided free of charge. Rental towels and washing machine are available at a fee. There are some dining options and convenience store within a 10-minute walk. Izusan Shrine is 1.6 km from Guest House Megumi, while Nagahama Beach is 5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 81 km from Guest House Megumi.View on Booking.com
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