While Japan’s cherry blossom season is synonymous with the months of March and April, an ethereal experience awaits you a little earlier in the year at Former Nakagawa Kawazu Park along the Kyu-Nakagawa River in Hirai, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo.
This charming riverbed has carved a niche for itself among cherry blossom lovers, not for its crowd-pulling grandiosity but for its tranquil, Instagram-worthy setting featuring early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherries or Early Cherry Blossom in Tokyo.
When Kawazu-zakura Bloom?
Diverging from the well-known Somei Yoshino cherry trees, the Kawazu-zakura Cherry blossoms show up at Former Nakagawa Kawazu Park a little ahead of schedule—typically from mid-February to early March.
Although the locale boasts fewer than 30 of these unique trees, what it lacks in numbers, it more than makes up for in sheer visual spectacle.
Framed by the architectural marvel of the Tokyo Skytree in the background, the setting creates an enchanting panorama that screams to be captured on camera.
How to access it?
Former Nakagawa Kawazu Park is just a 10 to 15-minute walk away from Kameido Suijin Station on the Tobu Kameido Line or Hirai Station on the Chuo Sobu Line.
Whether you’re a local seeking a weekend respite or a traveler with a keen eye for beauty, this spot is a short journey away from Tokyo’s bustling heart.
Visit Former Nakagawa Kawazu Park:
The best time to witness this early onset of spring is from mid-February to early March. If you love to sidestep the usual tourist crowds and revel in tranquility, this timeframe offers a serene hanami (flower viewing) experience.
With the bonus of the Tokyo Skytree lending its iconic silhouette to your photos, you’ll leave with truly one-of-a-kind memories and snapshots.
So why wait for late spring when you can kick-start your hanami experience amidst the Kawazu-zakura Cherries at Former Nakagawa Kawazu Park along the Kyu-Nakagawa River?
It’s a lesson in the beauty of the fleeting moment and a celebration of spring’s early whispers in the heart of Tokyo.
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