Culture Experience
Kawazu Sakura
The pink blooms in the harsh winter.
Kawazu Sakura, the earliest-blooming cherry blossom species in Japan, typically blossoms from February to early March each year. In 1955, Ms. Katsumi Iida of Kawazu-cho discovered the species on the banks of the Kawazu River and cultivated it at her home. In 1974, it was officially named "Kawazu Sakura." The following year, the original Kawazu Sakura tree in front of Ms. Iida's house was designated a "Kawazu-cho Natural Monument," and it remains a popular attraction for visitors.
During its blooming season, the riverbanks transform into a romantic expanse of pink. Approximately two weeks after the blossoms appear, the emergence of tender green leaves further enhances the spring atmosphere along the Kawazu River. This picturesque setting famously served as the backdrop for Yasunari Kawabata's Nobel Prize-winning novel, "Izu Dancer" (Izu no Odoriko).
Each year during the Kawazu Sakura Festival, approximately 150 vendors set up stalls along the banks of the Kawazu River, offering traditional Japanese snacks, handmade pickles, locally grown vegetables, fruits, and more. The vibrant atmosphere created by these lively vendors, coupled with the stunning pink cherry blossoms, forms a truly unique seasonal spectacle.
