View Japan’s Earliest Cherry Blossoms in Kawazu

Japan‘s vibrant pink cherry blossoms are among the world’s most beloved signs of spring. Kawazu, a small town less than 3 hours from Tokyo, is home to a special type of cherry blossom that is a slightly more vivid shade of pink, has larger petals, and blooms earlier than the average Sakura tree thanks to Kawazu’s mild coastal climate.

Annually, from late February to early March, Kawazu hosts the Kawazu-zakura Sakura Festival, a flower festival that attracts visitors from all around the world. Onlookers line the streets of Kawazu to admire the town’s beautiful blooms. Kawazu boasts over 8,000 Sakura trees, most of which adorn a picturesque riverbank. Despite the slightly chilly weather in late February, nearly a million Sakura enthusiasts spend hours strolling beneath the dazzling canopy of pink cherry blossoms.

Kawazu is also home to 7 waterfalls which are located in a lush forest. Visitors can stroll along a winding path to view 7 waterfalls of various sizes. Several statues near the waterfalls depict characters from ‘The Izu Dancer’, a story by Nobel Prize-winning writer Yasunari Kawabata.

Near the 7 waterfalls trailhead, visitors can view the Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering. Completed in 1982, this spiral-shaped bridge, reminiscent of a gut-churning amusement park ride, stands nearly 150 feet tall. Even with a speed limit of 30 miles an hour, it is not uncommon for motorists to pull over and pop a motion sickness tablet once they reach the top or bottom of the corkscrew-shaped bridge.

Kawazu is also famous for its gorgeous beaches and natural hot springs. Visitors can indulge in a quick foot soak or a full-body hot spring bath, or even spend the night at one of Kawazu’s renowned hot spring resorts. Soaking in a natural hot spring is the ideal way to warm up after a day of cherry blossom viewing during the slightly chilly days of late February.

If viewing Japan’s cherry blossoms is on the top of your bucket list, Kawazu is the ideal place to see some of the world’s most vibrant Sakura trees. Few sights are as joy-inspiring as the first blossoms of spring, particularly when they are Kawazu’s bright pink Sakura trees.