Kawazu Sakura 2027: Japan’s Earliest Cherry Blossom Forecast & Festival Guide

For travelers planning a trip to Japan in early 2027, the Kawazu Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Shizuoka Prefecture are the earliest large-scale hanami of the year — a full cherry blossom festival a month or more before Tokyo’s Somei-yoshino open. This page tracks the 2027 outlook: what the typical bloom window looks like, when the official forecasts arrive, and the practical planning details. We update it when the Shizuoka research institute publishes its 2027 bloom forecast, usually in January.

The season’s authoritative call comes from the Shizuoka Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Technology Research Institute, which publishes a Kawazu-zakura bloom forecast each winter, typically in January. In a typical year the first blossoms open in early February and the river reaches peak bloom from mid-February into early March. (For reference, the 2026 season was called as the earliest bloom in five years — a reminder of how much the window can move.)

Flights for spring: check Trip.com fares early — late-March arrivals are the first to sell out.

Quick Facts: Kawazu Sakura — Typical Season

Feature	Typical Year
First Bloom (20-30%)	Early February
Peak Bloom (Full Bloom)	Mid-February to early March
2027 Forecast	Expected from the Shizuoka research institute around January 2027 — this page will be updated
Source	Shizuoka Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Technology Research Institute

Why Kawazu Matters for February Travelers

Bloom timing here is set by autumn cold (which puts the buds into dormancy) followed by winter warmth (which wakes them early) — the reason the institute’s forecast can swing weeks from year to year. What doesn’t change: travelers who arrive in Japan in February get a full-scale cherry blossom festival, an experience the rest of the country doesn’t offer until late March and April.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs from early February to early March — 2027 dates are announced by the festival office in autumn; confirm on the official site before booking. The festival is one of Japan’s most famous, celebrating the deep pink blossoms that characterize the Kawazu variety.

Planning Your Visit to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

The festival is centered around the banks of the Kawazu River, where a 4-kilometer riverside promenade lined with roughly 850 cherry trees (around 8,000 grow across the town) forms one continuous tunnel of blossom. The combination of the pink blossoms and the yellow rapeseed flowers that bloom along the riverbanks at the same time is a signature view of the event.

Key Festival Information:

•Dates: typically early February – early March (2027 dates TBA)

•Location: Along the Kawazu River, Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture

•Main Venue: Near Sasahara Park

•Crowds: the town’s tourism association counts around a million visitors across the month-long festival — weekends are the crush, weekday mornings the calm.

What to Expect at the Festival

Beyond the cherry blossom tunnel, the festival offers a lively atmosphere with numerous food stalls and local vendors. Visitors can enjoy regional specialties while strolling under the blossoms.

In the evenings, the trees are illuminated, offering a completely different and magical viewing experience. The exact schedule for the nightly light-up will be confirmed closer to the date, but it is a highlight for many visitors.

How to Get to Kawazu

The map pin shows Kawazu Station, the main railway access for the festival.

Kawazu is located on the Izu Peninsula and is accessible by train from major cities.

•From Tokyo: The most direct route is the JR Limited Express Odoriko train, which runs directly from Tokyo Station to Kawazu Station in about 2 and a half hours.

•By Shinkansen: Alternatively, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami Station, then transfer to the Izu Kyuko Line for the final leg to Kawazu Station.

Given the festival’s popularity, booking train tickets and accommodation well in advance is highly recommended.

Flights for spring: check Trip.com fares early — late-March arrivals are the first to sell out.

A Note for Your Itinerary

While in the area, consider visiting the “Minami no Sakura to Nanohana Matsuri” (Southern Cherry Blossoms and Rapeseed Flower Festival) in nearby Minami-Izu Town, which typically opens in early February. This allows you to experience two of the Izu Peninsula’s premier early spring flower festivals in one trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

[1] 【河津桜開花予測】過去5年間で最も早く開花見込み…2月中旬以降で「満開」か（静岡県農林技術研究所公表） – Yahoo!ニュース