Experience Japan's earliest cherry blossoms at the Kawazu Festival with our private tour. Enjoy hotel pickup, scenic drives along the blossom-lined Kawazu River, food stalls, and mesmerizing night illuminations of vivid pink petals. Perfect for personalized sakura viewing without crowds.
Meals, personal souvenirs.
JR Pass upgrades, or accommodations.
Private vehicle collects you from hotel in Tokyo area for scenic drive to Kawazu Station.
Walk 4km Kawazu River banks lined with vivid pink Kawazu-zakura trees, food stalls, and souvenirs.
See the historic first Kawazuzakura tree in residential area, perfect for photos.
Local citrus, street food, or riverside dining with seasonal specialties.
Short hike to stunning waterfalls near blooming sakura paths (optional extension).
Magical night lights on blossoms with prime photography spots.
Explore stalls for sakura saplings, crafts, and local treats.
Return scenic drive back to your hotel.
The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is a seasonal sakura event in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula, known for its vivid pink Kawazu-zakura trees and long viewing season along the Kawazu River.
The festival takes place in Kawazu town on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, mainly around Kawazu Station and the riverside sakura promenade.
The best time to visit the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is typically from late February to early March, when the Kawazu-zakura are usually at full bloom.
Kawazu sakura bloom more slowly than most cherry trees, giving visitors about a month-long window to enjoy flowers instead of just a week or two.
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival crowds can be heavy on weekends and holidays, so visiting on weekdays or earlier in the morning offers a more relaxed experience.
The main Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival area is generally free to walk around, though some nearby attractions and parking may charge small fees.
Yes, walking the Kawazu River sakura paths is usually free, making the festival one of Japan’s most accessible cherry blossom experiences for travelers.
Top spots to see Kawazu cherry blossoms include the riverside promenade, the original Kawazuzakura tree site, and routes toward the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls.
Travelers usually take the Odoriko Limited Express directly to Kawazu Station or ride the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami, then transfer to the JR Ito/Izukyu Line.
Small Kawazu sakura saplings are sold locally during the festival, and with proper climate and care, they can be planted at home as ornamental cherry trees.
Real experiences from travelers who booked this tour with Karvaan Tours.
Extend your trip with Japan's most celebrated places.
GuideJapan's sacred symbol and highest peak — best viewed from Lake Kawaguchi or Hakone during clear winter days.
GuideExperience hanami under blooming sakura — fleeting beauty that defines spring in Japan (late March–early April).
