Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are one of Japan’s most iconic symbols and are eagerly awaited every year by both locals and visitors alike. While most people are familiar with the classic image of the pale pink Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms that blanket the country in springtime, there are actually many different varieties. In this blog post, we’ll talk about kawazu sakura, a cherry blossom variety that blooms as early as February.
Read more: All About Kawazu Sakura: Early-Blooming Cherry BlossomsWhat is Kawazu Sakura?
Kawazu sakura, also stylized as kawazu-zakura, is a type of early-blooming cherry blossom tree that produces clusters of bright pink flowers. Its petals are larger than the Somei Yoshino variety and are brighter in color. Unlike other cherry blossom varieties, its petals do not scatter as they fall.
Kawazu sakura usually bloom from late February to early March, depending on the weather conditions. This is around a month earlier than the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, which are the most common variety of cherry blossoms in Japan. Because of this, you can see kawazu sakura bloom alongside ume (plum blossoms) as well as nanohana (canola blooms).
Origin
The kawazu sakura variety is a relatively recent discovery, having only been named in 1974 after the town where it was first found. Kawazu is a small town on the Izu Peninsula, an area beloved for its hot springs and coastal views. The story goes that in 1955, a local resident found a sakura seedling among the weeds. He planted the seed and took care of it until it started blooming a little over a decade later. Another local resident began breeding the trees and as they drew more attention, local government bodies took it upon themselves to study the plants. In 1974, after defining its distinguishing characteristics, the research body named the cherry blossom variety, “kawazu sakura.”
Today, around 8,000 kawazu sakura trees can be seen dotting the banks of Aono River in Kawazu. The first kawazu sakura tree is also still well and alive, still blooming to this day. The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is held each year in honor of these beautiful pink flowers.
Where to See Kawazu Sakura
Aside from Kawazu where an annual festival is held, there are other places where you can spot kawazu sakura trees. Within Izu, Minami Izu also holds a kawazu cherry blossom festival of its own. Similarly, Miura Kaigan and Matsuda are two spots in Kanagawa Prefecture that hold such festivities.
For the best places to see kawazu sakura in Japan, see this post.
Catch Cherry Blossoms While they Last
Cherry blossoms have a deep and enduring cultural significance in Japan and have been celebrated for centuries as a symbol of the fleeting beauty and transience of life. The early-blooming kawazu sakura both signal the end of the long winter months and give us a chance to enjoy cherry blossoms a little longer, if only for a little while.
