Kawazu Cherry Blossom Trees - Nanohana Road

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Trees along Nanohana Road in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, represent one of Japan's earliest and most distinctive cherry blossom viewing experiences. The Kawazu-zakura variety, which originated from a naturally occurring hybrid discovered in 1955 along the Kawazu River, blooms significantly earlier than the standard Somei Yoshino variety. These deep pink blossoms typically appear from early February through early March, extending the viewing season to approximately one month compared to the typical week-long window of other cherry varieties.

The scenic corridor stretches approximately 4 kilometers along the Kawazu River, featuring around 850 Kawazu cherry trees that create a stunning contrast against fields of bright yellow nanohana (rapeseed flowers) planted deliberately along the riverbanks. This combination of vivid pink and yellow has become the signature landscape of the area, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually during the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, which has been held every year since 1991. The festival transforms the quiet town into a vibrant celebration with food stalls, local product vendors, and evening illuminations that highlight the blossoms along the river promenade.

Visitors can walk the full riverside path, stopping at various bridges that offer elevated viewing perspectives. The Iinohana Bridge and Kawazu Sakura Kanko Kotai Bridge are particularly popular vantage points for photography. River cruises operate during peak season, allowing guests to view the blossoms from the water. The town's hot springs provide complementary experiences, with several ryokan and public baths offering views of cherry trees from their facilities.

Access to Kawazu is primarily via the Izukyu Line, with Kawazu Station serving as the main arrival point. From Tokyo, visitors typically take the JR Odoriko limited express, which requires approximately 2.5 hours direct travel time. Local buses connect the station to various viewing spots, though the main riverside walk begins just 3 minutes on foot from the station.