Kawazu-zakura trees now in full bloom across Izu Peninsula town

ASAHI
February 16, 2026

Visitors admire the Kawazu-zakura flowers in full bloom in Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Feb. 14. (Yuhei Iino photos

Kawazu-zakura cherry trees are in full bloom along the Kawazugawa river in Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Feb. 14. (Tetsuji Asano)

KAWAZU, Shizuoka Prefecture—It's already the peak viewing time for some 8,000 sakura trees of an early blooming variety in this town on the Izu Peninsula's southeastern coast where they were first discovered.

The town declared that its Kawazu-zakura were in full bloom on Feb. 13. Among the thousands of trees is a fantastical view of roughly 850 lining either side of the winding Kawazugawa river, the deep pink blossoms visible from an Asahi Shimbun helicopter.

Back on the ground, visitors can take in a striking contrast between the cherry blossoms and bright yellow canola flowers in certain spots.

“We were worried about adverse effects of the recent snowfall, but they are blooming beautifully, so please come see them,” said a local tourist association official.

This invitation extends past sunset. The Kawazu-zakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival runs until March 8 and blossoms are illuminated from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Kawazu-zakura cherry trees discovered in Kawazu are believed to be a natural hybrid between the Oshima-zakura and the Kanhi-zakura varieties. They were given the name in 1974.