Last Updated: Feb 18, 2024

Come to Kawazu

Enjoy Japan’s Cherry Blossoms in February

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

If you pay attention to Instagram at all, chances are you’ve already seen shots of the annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival floating around online. Generally running from mid-February to early March, this celebration is a herald of what comes later in spring. Allegedly the birthplace of the Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms that take their name from this part of eastern Japan, these trees are some of the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in all of Japan. Characterized by their large petals and bright pink color, these trees are perfect for visitors who also want to get in a bit of winter.

Now, it’s true that there are plenty of places within the confines of Tokyo where you can see some Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms (just take a look at Sakura Jingu for example). Alas, few places can hold a candle to Kawazu when it comes to sheer volume. All along the banks of the Kawazu River, you’ll find an endless array of pink cherry blossoms to enjoy. Moreover, due to their comparatively slow blooming, the festivities down at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival actually last for about a month, far longer than elsewhere in Japan.

Of course, given that Kawazu is by far the best spot to see these beauties, you can expect a huge crowd during full…