While many people still think that Japanese cherry blossoms only bloom from the end of March, in reality, many locations have already started displaying their beauty as early as mid-February. This is the ideal time for those who want to avoid peak tourist season, save money, but still fully enjoy the sakura season.
If you're looking for beautiful, tranquil, and easily adaptable early cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, these six destinations offer the most exquisite glimpses of spring.
Kyoto is famous for its cherry blossoms in late March, but few know that Yodo Suiro is a place where spring arrives earlier.
In mid-February, the small road running along the canal suddenly becomes tranquil with rows of blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms. Quiet and uncrowded, Yodo Suiro truly embodies the spirit of Kyoto: slow-paced, serene, and incredibly poetic. Walking beneath the cherry blossoms, listening to the gentle sound of flowing water, you will feel a very different Kyoto, one that is peaceful and serene.
If you had to choose a place where early-blooming cherry blossoms are most fully present, it would be Kawazu.
From the beginning of February, more than 8,000 cherry trees burst into bloom along the river, dyeing an entire small town in Shizuoka Prefecture pink. The Kawazu Sakura Festival is not just about viewing the blossoms, but also about the spring atmosphere that permeates every step, every small stall, and every evening when the flowers are illuminated by twinkling lights along the river.
This is where you can truly feel: Ah, spring in Japan has begun.
Asahina River – Shizuoka
Unlike the hustle and bustle of Kawazu, Asahina River possesses a very gentle beauty.
Along the tranquil river, early-blooming cherry blossoms mingle with the yellow of rapeseed flowers, creating a soft and vibrant spring scene. The space here isn't too crowded, enough for you to stroll leisurely, stop to take a few photos, and simply stand and watch the flowers float on the water.
This is a place for those who love nature and need a truly slow pace.
In mid-February, cherry blossoms bloom on the hillside, below are yellow rapeseed flowers, and in the distance, if the sky is clear, the majestic shape of Mount Fuji appears. The scene needs little editing, as it is already a complete picture of Japanese spring in itself.
This is also a very popular destination for international tourists and high-end tours.
Each of these locations is a very unique slice of Japanese spring—gentle, delicate, and unhurried.
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