Japan's Early Blooming Sakura
TL;DR
Free
See next card!
Early Sakura?
The Kawazu sakura blooms from early Feb to early March so if you think your Japan trip will miss out on sakura… think again!
TL;DR
Free
Minamiizu, Shizuoka
Minamiizu Cherry Blossom Festival
Almost 2km of sakura alongside a quiet riverbank
Perfect for a picnic with snacks from here
Bus or taxi from Izukyu-Shimoda Station
TL;DR
Free
Miura, Kanagawa
Miura Station
A line of a thousand sakura trees along the coast
Buy some street food at a yatai
Head to Solail Hill for a glimpse of Mt Fuji after
Walking distance from Miurakaigan Station
TL;DR
Free
Matsuda, Kanagawa
Nishihirabatake Park
One of the most beautiful spots to capture Mt Fuji framed by Sakura
Walking distance from Shin Matsuda Station
TL;DR
Free
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Kawasaki
Small strip of Sakura located in Tama ward, Kawasaki
Smaller trees, but each tree is full of flowers and larger compared to those on the edge of Tokyo
Already planned your trip to Japan, but are too early for sakura season?
Fear not, for this guide will tell you all you need to know to find early blooming sakura so you won't be travelling with any FOMO.
Did you know that there are more than 200 varieties of cherry blossoms in Japan? From winter sakura to the Somei Yoshino variety, this highly popular flower starts making its debut from late winter to peak spring.
Whilst the Somei Yoshino variety might be the most popular in Japan due to its quantity, its cousins are often left out. If you are here in February and want to still find these pink blossoms, you most definitely should go hunting for some Kawazu sakura.
Where to Find Them
Without a doubt, The Kawazu Sakura Festival is the most popular being the location of origin for the Kawazu sakura variety. This festival attracts about 2 million visitors annually and it is a perfect spot for a day trip or overnight trip. This place starts right outside Kawazu Station and is incredibly beautiful but the recent surge of visitors has led me to wonder, are there more places that have these flowers but aren’t as busy?
We got you!
These are some of the places that are visited by locals and our personal favourites.
Disclaimer: For first-timers seeing Kawazu sakura, a visit to Kawazu is still highly recommended! The pink taiyaki is absolutely divine, and the lively atmosphere with food stalls adds to the experience. If you want to avoid the crowds and make the most of photo opportunities, it's best to arrive early.
Minamiizu Cherry Blossom Festival
How to get there:
Closest train station is Izukyū-Shimoda Station
Most convenient is a taxi from the station which takes around 18 minutes
Cheapest option is to take a bus from the station from Bus Stop 3
Flowering period: Early February to early March
Stretching for almost 2km, this quiet riverbank is surrounded by Kawazu sakura which leads all the way to a surprise rapeseed flower field at the end of your journey all with no shoulder bumping whilst you walk through
Perfect for a picnic, grab some snacks at Michinoeki Yunohana Information Centre (道の駅 湯の花 観光案内所) and enjoy your afternoon!
Miura Station
How to get there:
Take the train to Miurakaigan Station
Walk in the direction of Kamatsugaike Park as the trees are lined along this road
The bridge where you can see the train pass is located here
Flowering period: Early February to early March
Along the coast of Miura Kaigan, Kanagawa, a thousand Kawazu sakura trees line the road towards Komatsugaike Park and the city's annual festival will not disappoint
Buy some street food at the yatai (mobile fod stall) in front of Miurakaigan station
If you have time after, head to Solail Hill and you might be able to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji and some rapeseed flowers!
Nishihirabatake Park
How to get there:
A 10 minute walk from Matsuda Station taking the North Exit
A 20 minute walk from Shin Matsuda Station taking the North Exit
Head for this walking path at the park
Flowering period: Early February to early March
Kanagawa is the gift that keeps giving! Another gem located in Matsuda City, Kanagawa, Nishihirabatake is one of the most beautiful spots to find Mt Fuji framed by sakura
Kawasaki Kawazu Sakura
How to get there:
Take the train to Ikuta Station
Exit at the station at the South Exit and walk towards the river
Walk along the road next to the river as the trees are lined there
Small strip of Kawazu sakura located in the middle of a residential area in Tama ward, Kawasaki
Despite the smaller number of trees, the trees are full of flowers and are much larger compared to those at the edge of Tokyo
Have you started planning your trip to Japan this Spring?
Planning for a trip to see flowers that are easily affected by the weather can be stressful and our top tip is to be flexible. There are countless of locations and other varieties that bloom throughout spring so if the locations you originally planned to visit aren't peaking, there's bound to be another location you can venture out to!
Want the inside scoop on hidden gems in Japan, discover Japan travel tips, and explore the best of this amazing country? Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, or pretty much wherever we pop up online. Your curiosity is what makes this journey fun, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride 🧡