The beauty of Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms in full bloom — 1,200 trees line the waterfront for an astonishing sight

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, translated by Zhang Yingying

The Kawazu-zakura cherry blossom season in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka, is a major annual event in the region. The season kicks off in mid-February and peaks in March when the blossoms are in full bloom. Around 1,200 cherry blossom trees (800 Kawazu-zakura and 400 Somei-yoshino) line the Kawazu River, creating two vibrant corridors of pink blossoms along the waterway. With enchanting evening illuminations, the scenery is simply breathtaking. The festival attracts two million visitors every year.

There are plenty of spots to enjoy the Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms. In addition to the blossoms themselves, three riverside areas also feature yellow rapeseed flower fields, allowing visitors to experience the charm of two kinds of floral beauty at once. Key cherry blossom viewing spots include those in front of Kawazu Station, near the Kawazu Town Office (similar to a township office in Taiwan), where you can also see the original Kawazu-zakura tree, estimated to be around 60 years old. The Tohzan-zakura near Toyoha Onsen is also worth seeing.

There are also charming riverside cherry blossom spots. Popular locations include the stretch along Route 414 from Izu Nagaoka Station to Matsuzaki, as well as Kawazu, Toi, Yoshihama, and Shuzenji — all offering excellent vantage points. The town also actively promotes nighttime cherry blossom viewing. In the evenings, you can take a stroll along the riverside promenade for about an hour, either from the Kawazu Bridge area to Toi or from the Kawazu Bridge area to Yoshihama. You can also enjoy a riverside stroll while admiring the blossoms.