ATTRACTIONS

Japan, discovering Kawazu: the town where the cherry trees bloom early

In the small town of Kawazu, Japan, on the outskirts of the capital Tokyo, there is an annual phenomenon that attracts millions of tourists from all over Japan and abroad: the blossoming of the cherry trees, called Kawazu-Zakura.

This variety of cherry tree differs from the more classic and common cherry tree, the Somei Yoshino, which instead has a more natural bloom from the beginning of March until about mid-April.

The cherry blossom is indeed very important in Japanese culture, and it is an event that makes Japanese culture truly fascinating in the eyes of the more Western world. Come with us, we will take you among the beautiful blossoms that are already filling the Japanese city.

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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
Kawazu is a small town on the Izu Peninsula, about 2 hours and 40 minutes by train from Tokyo. Visiting Kawazu means seeking out numerous attractions, with beautiful Kawazu-zakura, beaches with the highest water quality and many tourist destinations with lush nature.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
The town of Kawazu, despite its small size (around 8000 inhabitants) is famous throughout Japan and beyond for its special variety of cherry trees, the Kawazu-Zakura.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
The peculiarity of these Kawazu-Zakura trees is that they start flowering about a month earlier than all the others. In fact, flowering occurs between the beginning of February and the beginning of March, whereas normal cherry trees flower between March and April.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
During the annual 'Kawazu-zakura Sakura Festival', held in the flowering season, the dark pink Kawazu-zakura flowers, signalling the arrival of spring, adorn the city with their vibrant colours.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
Besides the cherry blossom trees, many other natural sceneries make a visit to this town unique. These include an ocean passage from Imaihama, one of Izu's most beautiful beaches, and the numerous waterfalls, including the Seven Kawazu Falls.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
The main characteristics of the Kawazu-zakura are its large petals and bright pink colour.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
About 8,000 cherry trees are planted in Kawazu. The 'Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Festival' is held during the blossoming season and is visited by a million Japanese and foreign tourists.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
According to the Japanese tradition, cherry blossom trees symbolise the transience of life. This is why, in Zen Buddhism, the cherry tree sends the message about the fleeting and changing nature of things: everything has an end, so material reality is fragile and momentary.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
One looks at Zakura with sadness, but also with emotion as celebrating hanami in spring speaks of rebirth. It is not for nothing that the blossoming of the cherry trees has always been seen as a premonitory sign of the richness of the rice harvest, as an omen of prosperity.
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Kawau Zakura - Kawazu (Japan)
Not far from the town of Kawazu are the Kawazu Nanadaru waterfalls that can be reached by bus from the town. It is an idyllic place if you are looking for a quiet and beautiful natural area. There are trails and bridges that will help you discover the area.
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