The latest edition for 2025! Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in Izu, Shizuoka is at its best in February!

  • Shizuoka
  • Sightseeing
Kawazu Cherry Tunnel
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" will be held from Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28, 2025 in Kawazu Town, Izu.

Kawazu-zakura are early-blooming cherry trees that begin to bloom in early February. About 850 Kawazu cherry trees will be in full bloom along the Kawazu River in Kawazu Town, and about 8,000 cherry trees will be in full bloom in Kawazu Town as a whole. During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, a variety of events will be held, including food stalls and lighting up of the Kawazu cherry blossoms at night. Here are some highlights of the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, a popular cherry blossom viewing event in recent years not only for domestic visitors but also for visitors from overseas.

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" will be held in 2025!

Kawazu Town is located in the southeastern part of the Izu Peninsula. In this town, the Kawazu cherry trees, characterized by their deep pink color, begin to bloom in early February. The "Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" is usually held in February, when the Kawazu cherry blossoms are at their best. The 35th festival in 2025 is scheduled to be held from February 1 (Saturday) to February 28 (Friday). Kawazu Town normally has a population of 6,400, but during the festival period, more than 1 million tourists visit the town to catch a glimpse of the Kawazu cherry blossoms. In recent years, tourists from overseas have also visited the town to see the Kawazu cherry blossoms, making it a very popular event for people from all over the world.
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival brochure for 2025

Kawazu cherry blossoms are characterized by their deep pink color

Kawazu-zakura are early-blooming cherry trees that begin to bloom in early February and are in full bloom about a month later. There are approximately 8,000 cherry trees in the entire town of Kawazu, and beautiful Kawazu-zakura can be seen throughout the town. Kawazu-zakura are characterized by their large petals and deep pink color compared to other cherry trees. The vivid pink color looks great both in person and in photographs.
Kawazu Cherry Blossoms

The origin of the Kawazu cherry blossoms

Today, Kawazu-zakura trees are planted all over Japan. During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, many tourists gather in Kawazu-cho to see these cherry trees. Did you know that the Kawazu cherry trees that attract so many people were discovered by a man?

In the winter around 1955, Katsumi Iida, a resident of Tanaka, Kawazu Town, happened to find a seedling sprouting along the Kawazu River and planted it in his yard. Ten years after planting it, it finally began to bloom, and at that time it was called "Komine cherry" after the trade name of the discoverer, Mr. Iida. Subsequent research revealed that it was a new species, and since the original tree was located in Kawazu Town, it was named Kawazu-zakura (Kawazu cherry).

The original tree, which stands on the Iida family's property, is located about a 1-minute walk from the Kawazu Town Hall and a 15-minute walk from Kawazu Station. The tree is estimated to be over 65 years old. The tree is so large that it covers the road.
Kawazu Cherry Trees

Cherry blossoms illuminated at night

During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night downstream from the Tate Bridge in front of Kawazu Station and behind the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan. During the daytime, the deep pink color of the Kawazu-zakura is beautiful in the sunlight, but it is also very magical when they float in the night sky and reflect on the surface of the river. If you can spare the time, please enjoy both daytime and nighttime Kawazu-zakura viewing.
Light-up of Kawazu Cherry Blossoms

Outline of "Night Cherry Blossom Light-up

Period: Saturday, February 1, 2025 - Friday, February 28, 2025
Hours: 18:00 - 21:00
Venue: Two cherry tree-lined areas (Tate-bashi Bridge downstream and Mine Onsen Sakura Tunnel)
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" site map

Plan to enjoy a kaiseki dinner under a kotatsu (table over a kotatsu): "Sakura Terrace Flower Carpet

Want to enjoy a relaxing meal while watching Kawazu-zakura in full bloom? Want to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in an elegant manner? We recommend the "Sakura Terrace Flower Carpet" plan. A 15-minute walk from the original Kawazu cherry tree, you can enjoy a luxurious kaiseki bento box lunch on the 4-meter-high terrace facing the Sonogawa River, overlooking the rows of cherry trees. The terrace seats are kotatsu, so you can enjoy eating and viewing cherry blossoms without worrying about the cold.

After enjoying the meal and cherry blossom viewing to your heart's content, you can take a bath at the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan (hot spring bathhouse) adjacent to the terrace. You can see the Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloom from this open-air bath, so please enjoy the luxury of viewing cherry blossoms while bathing. This plan includes use of a terrace with a view of the cherry trees, a sumptuous boxed lunch, and a bathing fee at the Odoriko Onsen Kaikan! Don't forget that advance reservations are required!
Image of "Cherry Blossom Terrace Flower Carpet

Details of "Sakura Terrace Hanakorupet

Price: 25,000 yen per person (2-4 people per couple)
*6 tables, maximum of 24 people
Location: Adjacent to Odoriko Onsen Kaikan
Period: Saturday, February 1 - Friday, February 28, 2025
Private time: 3 hours (11:00-14:00)
Contents: Use of terrace seats, Kawazu cherry blossom dinner (box lunch), 1 drink, Odoriko Onsen Kaikan bathing, face towel, parking arrangements

*Reservations must be made 5 days prior to use
*In case of inclement weather, space at Odoriko Onsen Kaikan will be provided.
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Kaiseki Set (Bento Lunch)
～For reservations, please visit

Feel spring in Kawazu one step ahead!

The "Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" offers not only the full-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, but also local events and local delicacies that were not fully introduced in this article. The official website of the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival provides real-time updates on the blooming status of the cherry trees, so be sure to visit the festival when they are in full bloom!
Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloom
【Official website of Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival】

Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product sold exclusively through the Internet that allows you to freely select a train and accommodations and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Please enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.

Click here for details

For train + accommodation reservations in Izu area, please visit 【 JR East View Dynamic Rail Package 】
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