Shizuoka · Yaizu · Craft Yamaju Masuda Shoten 2026: Inside a 130-Year-Old Katsuobushi Workshop in Yaizu A small family workshop in Yaizu still smoking bonito over open fire. The umami in your dashi most likely starts in a workshop like…
Shizuoka · Roadside Station · Field Report The roadside station where locals eat lunch with Mt. Fuji out the window. Michi-no-Eki Fujioyama is not pretty from the outside. It’s a low concrete box wedged against a logistics yard in Shizuoka.…
![Mt. Fuji Huts 2026: Rooms, Meals & Booking Rules [7 Photos]](https://hiddenjapan-gems.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/top2-768x308.webp)
2026 Update: Yoshida Trail gate closes at 4:00 PM. No mountain hut reservation = no entry. Booking opens in early May. Read the full booking timeline below. Every Mt. Fuji climbing guide tells you to book a mountain hut. None…
Published: February 3, 2026 While most of Japan awaits the arrival of cherry blossoms in late March, the town of Kawazu in the Izu Peninsula offers a delightful preview of spring nearly a month earlier. The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival…
While most of Japan awaits the arrival of spring, the charming seaside town of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture is already celebrating. The Atami Sakura, known as Japan’s earliest blooming cherry blossom, transforms the city’s Itokawa Promenade into a vibrant pink…
Intro Escape the winter chill and step into Japan’s earliest spring at the Atami Plum Blossom Festival (熱海梅園梅まつり, Atami Baien Ume Matsuri). Nestled in the scenic hills of the famous onsen town, this historic garden welcomes visitors with a breathtaking…
Japan’s cherry blossom season is a world-renowned spectacle, but the early-blooming Kawazu Sakura in Shizuoka Prefecture offers a unique, month-long preview starting in early February. Unlike the more common Somei Yoshino, these blossoms are a vibrant pink and last longer,…
Current date: 2026-01-06 (JST) What Happened The dates for the 36th annual Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival have been officially announced. The event will take place from Saturday, February 7 to Sunday, March 8, 2026. This festival celebrates the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura,…
Current as of: 2025-12-14 JST Conclusion The Kawazu Cherry Blossoms offer a unique and rewarding experience for travelers seeking to witness the beauty of sakura without the peak-season crowds of major cities. It is particularly well-suited for repeat visitors to…