In February, part of Japan comes alive with cherry blossoms. It might still be chilly out, but the promise of spring is a welcome one that promises hope springs eternal. Some regions owe this early bloom to their relatively balmy weather.
While much of the rest of Japan is still locked in the icy grip of winter, these areas can start to see signs of springtime weather as early as mid-January.
In spring, I like visiting places that allow me to enjoy the fresh air, flower blossoms, and of course the opportunity to stroll around. When the cherry trees are in full bloom in Kawazu, the area along the Kawazu River is so unique to me.
If you are looking for a bit of early springtime cherry blossoms, you might enjoy visiting these cherry blossom festivals in Japan in February:
1. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, Shizuoka
This sakura festival celebrates the earliest blooming cherry blossoms in eastern Japan. Located in the city of Kawazu, it is an incredibly popular flower festival in Japan.
Kawazu-zakura (kawazu sakura) is the type of cherry blossom trees in Japan that begins to bloom earlier than other trees. There are approximately 8,000 Kawazu Sakura trees in Kawazu city lined along Kawazu River.
The variety of blossoms found here open much more slowly than other varieties, giving visitors about a month to enjoy the blooms. Take a walk along the Kawazu River and enjoy the blossoms and fresh air.
The cherry trees line the path near the river and visitors can enjoy the food and shopping offered at the stalls set up for the festival as they stroll along.
Get to the Kawau Cherry Blossom Festival by taking a train to Kawazu station on the Izukyu Railway Line. The festival is located less than a five-minute walk from the station entrance.
Find out more about this sakura matsuri here.
2. Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival, Kanagawa
Located on Tokyo Bay, the Miura Kaigan festival is a popular, lively cherry blossom festival that offers a great experience. The festival starts at Miura Kaigan Station and sprawls about a kilometer.
There are over 1000 cherry trees lined the road from Miura-kaigan station to Komatsugaike Park for about a kilometer. In my opinion, if you really want to see tons of pink blossoms near Tokyo in February, be sure to pay a visit to this area.
Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese street food at the stalls found throughout the festival. At night, the trees are illuminated and seem to be almost magical.
To get to the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival, take the Keikyu line from Shinagawa Station to Miurakaigan Station, about an hour-long ride. The festival can be found as soon as you exit the station.
3. Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival, Kanagawa
This cherry blossom festival is unique, thanks to its incredible views of Mount Fuji. The festival is located in Nishihirabatake Park (Nishihira Park). This small park has more than 360 cherry trees with majestic view of Mount Fuji.
The whole top of the hill turns pink when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Another unique thing about this festival is that it offers a playground for children. There is also a small train that goes through several tunnels of cherry blossoms.
A lot of people come to see the pink blossoms, especially on weekends and holidays. This is one of the three Tokyo day trips along with Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival and Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival to see early cherry blossoms in February.
To get to the Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival, take a train from Shinjuku Station, Tokyo to Matsuda Station. From there, take a shuttle bus that runs every 30 minutes from the station to the festival. Alternatively, it is a 10-minute walk from JR Matsuda Station (North Exit).
4. Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival, Okinawa
Let’s head to Okinawa Island and enjoy its cherry blossom viewing spots!
A lot of people may think that Okinawa is popular for its sea beaches but there are many things to consider when it comes to find the answer of “What is Okinawa most famous for?”
Okinawa in February means you can expect to see tons of beautiful pink sakura. It’s not a lie and it’s definitely one of the major things why Okinawa is famous for.
Found in temperate Okinawa, Motobu Yaedake cherry blossom festival is one of the earliest in Japan. Many of the cherry trees found here are planted by the road from top to bottom of Mt. Yae (453 meters high), allowing you to see them by car.
With more than 7000 kanhi zakura (Taiwanese cherry blossom), it is a very unique sight to behold. Here cherry trees can be found side by side with tropical plants, which is not something many people imagine.
At the festival, there are stalls for food and souvenirs, as well as play areas or children. At night, many lanterns are lit up in the trees, making the place even more extraordinary.
The best time to visit the festival is from late January to early February.
Venue: Yaedake Sakura-no-Mori Park
5. Nago Cherry Blossom Festival, Okinawa
Located at the Nago Castle ruins (Nago Central Park) in Nago City, over 25,000 cherry trees are blooming at this festival, lining a two-kilometer long walk.
This is one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Okinawa Prefecture. With more than 20,000 cherry blossom trees, this park is at its best in late January when sakura are in full bloom.
Enjoy entertainment at stages set up by the local community and eat delicious food at the many stalls located all through the festival area. In addition, you can enjoy amazing views of cherry blossoms as well as the South China Sea from the ruins.
You can get to Nago Cherry Blossom Festival by parking at the Nago Fishing Port and taking a shuttle to the festival.
6. Naha Cherry Blossom Festival, Okinawa
400 cherry trees in bloom can be found at this festival, located in Naha’s Yogi Park. This festival is known for the fruits, flowers, seedlings, and other plants you can buy as a souvenir at one of the stalls set up for the festival.
The main highlight of this festival is the cherry trees planted along the river. Here visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the walkways and enjoy their time viewing the delicate pink blossoms.
There are also lectures on gardening available, making this an excellent event to attend if you love plants. You can also enjoy numerous local entertainment displays.
Get to the Naga Cherry Blossom Festival but taking a bus to Naha Bus Terminal, then take No. 89 Itoman bus line to Yogi-jujiro bus stop. The festival is a three-minute walk away.
Please note this cherry blossom festival is held in mid-February every year.
7. Nakijin Gusuku Cherry Blossom Festival, Okinawa
Nakijin Sakura Matsuri is exceptional due to its night illumination.
This festival can be found on the grounds of Nakijin Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Okinawa Prefecture. The castle sits 100 meters above sea level and sits on a hill overlooking northern Okinawa.
At night, the stone walls of the castle are illuminated and the path through the castle gates is lined with candles. Enjoy traditional Okinawan performances on special stages as you wander through the blossoms.
The festival costs 400 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. The best time to see cherry blossom here is from late January to early February.
8. Atami Zakura Itogawa River Cherry Blossom Festival
Located on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, Atami city is quite famous for its hot springs (onsen), early blooming sakura and ume (plum blossoms).
An impressive collection of Japanese and East Asian art and Japanese style garden can be found at MOA Museum of Art. On the other hand, view from the observatory of Atami Castle is just stunning! Please don’t forget to visit these two locations when you come to Atami to experience its cherry blossom festival in February.
Atami sakura usually start to bloom in mid-January and you can experience them until mid-February. Early-February is the best time to see this kind of light pink cherry blossoms.
Itogawa (Ito River) Promenade is where Atami Cherry Blossom Festival is held. It is runs through the center of the city. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll up and down along the Itogawa River promenade while viewing these delicate blossoms.
The sakura (Atami-zakura) type you see here is native to India. It was brought to Japan along with date palm and lemon by Italians who visited Atami around 1871. The variety was officially named Atami sakura in 1977.
You can expect to see various street performances during the festival. At night, cherry trees are illuminated allowing tourists and locals the opportunity to enjoy them throughout the day. Indeed the view of the area during the daytime and at night is different. You will feel it once you get there.
This cherry blossom spot in Atami provides incredible views of authentic Japanese spring beauty. Getting to Atami from Tokyo is actually easy, just take the Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama train and you will reach Atami Station in about 50 minutes. From JR Atami station, Itogawa Promenade is a 20-mintue walk.
Where to see Cherry Blossom in Tokyo City in February?
To see early cherry blossom in Tokyo city, I would highly recommend you to pay a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen, a massive park with trees of different kinds, tranquil scenery, walking paths and spacious lawns.
This is obviously a must-see place in late March/early April when Somei Yoshino (Yoshino cherry) are in full bloom. If you visit Tokyo in late February, this is a perfect place to spend at least two to three hours.
While not a festival, you can enjoy early blooming cherry blossoms in Shinjuku Gyoen. The cherry tree variety here blooms in February. You’ll also see plum blossoms at the same time.
This park is considered one of the top plum blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.
These blooms come and go very quickly, starting to fall in late February. If you’re in Tokyo and looking for an early touch of spring, be sure to visit the sakura (cherry trees) and ume (plum trees) of Shinjuku Gyoen!
Please note Shinjuku Gate is a 10-minute walk east from the “New South Exit” of JR Shinjuku Station.