Kawazu Sakura – early blooming cherry in Matsuda

Cherry blossoms in Japan typically start blooming from mid-March to early April, displaying their signature soft pink and white hues. However, there is a special variety known for its vivid pink color and early bloom, marking the arrival of spring—Kawazu Sakura.

There are many places across Japan where you can find this beautiful cherry blossom variety, with some of the most notable being the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in Shizuoka, the Yodo Riverside in Kyoto, Sumida Park in Tokyo, and Nishihirabatake Park in Matsuda, Kanagawa—which is also the destination I’ll be introducing to you today.

Nishihirabatake Park address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/47xN9bMiXdwUMTNr7

This park is located near Shin-Matsuda Station, about an hour and a half by train from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. From the station, you can take a bus or taxi directly to the park, but I highly recommend walking instead. This way, you can fully enjoy the breathtaking cherry blossoms lining the entire route.

During the festival, which runs from mid-February to early March, many visitors come here to take photos, especially on weekends. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to plan your visit as early as possible.

Park admission is 300 JPY for adults and 100 JPY for visitors under 18 years old.

Let's explore with us what's inside the park.

When I visited on February 24, many trees had yet to fully bloom, so you can rest assured that the cherry blossoms will still be beautiful in early March.

As we climb higher in the park, we come across a vast mustard flower garden in full bloom, adding even more vibrant colors to the breathtaking scenery.

The mustard flower garden stretches from the park entrance to the top, beautifully interwoven with hundreds of cherry blossom trees, creating a stunning contrast of bright yellow and soft pink hues.

Let's take a look at some of my shooting angles on the way to the top of the park:

There is also a slide here that allows visitors to glide down from the top of the park, adding a fun touch to the experience. Unfortunately, when I visited, it was out of service.

Besides the stunning cherry blossoms and mustard flowers, there’s one more reason that made me determined to visit this park—the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji from the park, though visibility depends on the weather. When I first arrived, the mountain was completely hidden behind thick clouds. However, as I climbed higher toward the top of the park, the clouds gradually parted, revealing this incredible view:

And without hesitation, I rushed in different directions to capture this magical moment before Mount Fuji disappeared behind the clouds again! 😃

There are also many dedicated photo spots here, such as swings facing directly toward Mount Fuji or this stunning “balcony” with an incredible panoramic view:

As I was leaving, more and more people started arriving, and the ticket line had grown significantly. To capture the best photos and fully enjoy the experience, I highly recommend visiting as early as possible.

In addition to Nishihirabatake Park, there is also Aguri Park Sagayamaen located further up. This park also features beautiful cherry blossoms and canola flowers, and the best part—admission is free. If you have extra time or want to take more photos, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Aguri Park Sagayamaen Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SwVqS4KBTKJFz9uz6

This trip was truly a wonderful and lucky experience for me. From the perfect weather to the chance to see both the cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji (even if only for 15 minutes), everything fell into place. Plus, sharing the journey with new friends who share the same passion for photography made it even more special. I had an amazing time capturing beautiful moments and bringing back so many stunning photos! 😃

And finally, a photo of the author to wrap up today's journey. Thank you for reading until the end—I hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as I did!

***************************************************************************************************************

Explore our useful services in Japan:

• Taking photos of individuals, couples, and families in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara: See more HERE
• Plan and schedule your trip to Japan: See more HERE
• eSim data, pocket wifi travel in Japan: See more HERE

***************************************************************************************************************

*** Please read the Copyright & Collaboration requirements carefully before copying or quoting the blog's content and images. Thank you.

Does this journey excite you?

If you found this blog article helpful, a cup of coffee from you would be a great boost for my next adventures.

Buy me a coffee