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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Somewhat spontaneously during
this trip, We decided to make the drive to the town of
Kawazu to catch the
Kawazu-zakura and the
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (
Kawazu-zakura Matsuri). The festival is held in Kawazu from early February to early March each year, to celebrate the blooming
kawazu-zakura. The
Kawazu-zakura is one of the earliest flowering cherries, and is named after the town, where the cherry variety was originally found. Each year, Kawazu is one of the earliest places to catch
sakura blossoms. Also, Hubby was trying to take my mind off something unpleasant that had happened in my absence, and to cheer me up.
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
We were a little too early for peak bloom season. Possibly a week too early. But there were already some lovely blooms to be seen.
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
The
Kawazu-zakura have large, bright pink petals. Although they don't have the cloud-like effect that the
Somei Yoshino at peak bloom have, they have their own charm.
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| Kawazu-zakura, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Around early to mid-February, the 8,000
Kawazu-zakura trees along the Kawazu River bloom. It wasn't peak bloom yet, but I have to say, seeing it, it was quite a sight. Truly lovely.
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
The locals were out in force, directing people, answering questions. They were really friendly. As we waited near the bridge for a car to pass, an elderly local chatted with us while guiding traffic/pedestrians. He told us that peak bloom was probably be a week or two away. (Of course now it'd be peak already.)
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
There were some families there as well, and their kids were playing under the trees along the river.
Along the way, we came across a Buddhist monk chanting sutras. He was just dressed in his robes, with a straw hat and straw sandals. He looked totally calm and at peace, standing there in the cold, chanting sutras. Contemplating the monk, I reminded myself of what was key to regaining my inner peace of mind, and made a greater effort to focus on what really mattered. After that I silently placed some money in his bowl, hoping that it will bring some good to him or to others. And Hubby and I moved along.
Being out along the flowers, watching people having a good time, feeling the breeze (even though it was snappy)...also helped to blow the moodiness away.
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| Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Spread out along the trees were also the festival stalls. The festival was only just beginning, so there weren't many people about yet. There were also some spots with
nanohana blooming as well, making a nice bright yellow splash. When the
sakura is in full bloom, it would be a great contrast of bright pink and sunny yellow.
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| Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
It felt relaxing, strolling along while munching on festival food. I know it's a bit gimmicky but just can't help having the
sakura taiyaki, which actually wasn't too bad. The
sakura-flavoured
shiroan filling was velvety and sweet with a hint of
sakura aroma, the outside was pleasant, slight
mochi-mochi QQ mouthfeel.
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| Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Also had a grilled
sakura-mochi. It was nice to have something warm, sweet and chewy. Took my mind off an unpleasant event someone told me about that happened in my absence. This
sakura-mochi wasn't the best I've had, but it did cheer me up. Aah~so far nothing has beaten that
yomogi sakura mochi I
had at Nagano Station.
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| Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Hubby had an
ebi-senbei from one of the stalls as well. We laughingly recalled that other ridiculously large
senbei we had at Enoshima. This was different and the texture didn't quite melt-in-the-mouth, but it was quite yummy. It got cold quite quickly though because the weather was super chilly.
Before leaving, we decided to make a quick walk to see the original
Kawazu-zakura tree.
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| The original Kawazu-zakura tree, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
Apparently, the
Kawazu-zakura variety was first discovered in the 1950s. After that, the local residents systematically grew the varietal along the riverbanks. The festival began around the 1980s.
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| The original Kawazu-zakura tree, Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
The original
Kawazu-zakura tree is said to
be 60 years old.
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| Kawazu, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka |
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