Origin of Kawazu Zakura (Kawazu Cherry Blossoms)
A young plant of Kawazu Zakura was firstly found in February, 1955 at the bank of the Kawazu River in Kawazu town, Shizuoka prefecture. The first full blooming is said to be in 1966 and it kept flowering for about a month. This cherry blossoms were plant in Ito city, Shizuoka prefecture in 1968 and became widely adopted. In 1974, the flower was officially named ‘Kawazu Zakura.’ Today, you can enjoy 2 Kawazu Zakura festivals in Kawazu town and Izu city as below. Day trip from Tokyo is possible.
Kawazu city
Kawazu city, the birthplace of Kawazu Zakura, has about 8,000 Kawazu cherry trees in the town and about 850 trees over 4 kilometers on both banks of the Kawazu River. You can also enjoy some local events during the Kawazu Zakura Festival.
30th Kawazu Zakura Matsuri
Date：February 10th ~ March 10th, 2020
Place：The Kawazu River
Night Illumination：18:00pm ~ 21:00pm, February 10th ~ March 10th, 2020
Official：http://kawazuzakura.info
How to visit from Tokyo
1. Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes by trains
・Tokyo station→Kawazu station by Express Train Odoriko (about JPY 5,500) *The number of direct trains are limited.
2. Approx. 3 hours by cars
Sightseeing spots around Kawazu Zakura Festival
The first Kawazu Cherry Tree
You can see the first tree at Iida house which is about 1.2 kilometers walk from Kawazu station. The tree is 54 years old in 2020. How fantastic that all the Kawazu Cherry Trees in Japan started from this tree.
The first Kawazu Cherry Tree
Address：Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0504
Access：15 minutes walk from “Kawazu sta.”
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Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge
This rare loop bridge was built in 1981 and has been the highlight of Kawazu since then. During the Kawazu Zakura Festival, you can admire the marvelous collaboration of cherry blossoms and the bridge. At night, they would be beautifully lit up.
Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge
Address：352-1 Nashimoto, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0501
Kawazu Nanadaru
Address：Nashimoto, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0501
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Mine Onsen Daifunto Park
At this park, you can enjoy the blown up of Mine Onsen (hot spring.) About 600 liters per minute of 100 degrees Onsen blow up to 30 meters height. You can see this 1 minute blown up 7 times a day. Please also enjoy the park’s Mine Onsen Ashi-yu (footbath) and soft boiled egg boiled in Onsen.
Mine Onsen Daifunto Park
Address：446-1 Mine, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0511
Access：1 minutes walk from “Mineonsen sta.”
Opening hours：9:00am～16:00pm (Closed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Blown up time：9:30am、10:30am、11:30am、12:30pm、13:30pm、14:30pm、15:30pm
Izu city
About 800 Kawazu Zakura are lined up over 4.2 kilometers on both banks of the Aono River at Shimogamo Onsen area in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture. Canola flowers also beautifully bloom at the riverside which makes the marvelous contrasts. Night illumination is spectacular as well.
22nd Cherry Blossoms and Canola Flowers Minami Matsuri
Date：February 10th ~ March 10th, 2020
Place：The Aono River
Night Illumination：18:00pm ~ 21:00pm, February 10th ~ March 10th, 2020
Official：https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=73493&cat=18736&type=event
How to visit from Tokyo
1. Approx. 3 hours 10 minutes by train ＆ bus
・Tokyo station→Izukyu Shimoda station by Express Train Odoriko (about JPY 5,800) *The number of direct trains are limited.
・Shimoda station→Kujo-Baishi station by Tokai Bus (about JPY 700)
2. Approx. 3 hours 30 minutes by cars
Sightseeing spots around Kawazu Zakura Festival
Canola Flowers Farm
Once you get off at Hino bus stop, you’ll see this beautiful canola flowers farm. Hino is 4 stops before the Kujo Bashi bus station, where the festival is held, so you can enjoy this farm with Kawazu Zakura festival.
Canola Flowers Farm
Address：Shimogamo, Minamiizu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 415-0303
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Yunohana
Yunohana is a roadside station right next to the Aono River. You can enjoy local cuisine, Shimogamo Onsen ashi-yu (footbath), and local souvenirs. Please take a rest here after admiring the Kawazu Zakura and canola flowers along the river!
Yunohana
Address：157-1 Shimogamo, Minamiizu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 415-0303
Summary
How do you think about Kawazu Zakura festivals? Tokyo has some Kawazu cherry trees too but Shizuoka prefecture has the largest number. It is surely a hidden gem and the best Kawazu Zakura view. We would love you to consider Kawazu Zakura festivals in Shizuoka prefecture!