Continue from my previous post of the Day Sakura, this post I don’t have much to write but to show you the night of blooming Sakura in Kawazu. As mentioned in the previous post, this was my first time visit in Kawazu and also seeing sakura in real life. Actually I visited the night sakura before the day time but I think would be better to show the Day one first as it give you a big difference from the night view. So here you go!
There aren’t many people (actually a few at the back), but since I arrived a bit late. Checked-in from Imaiso Hotel and just rush to the Kawazu station immediately after my dinner. As Night Sakura only last until 9:00 p.m! (you probably have to check out their schedule from official site) They will turn off the light so it’s impossible to take any photos. Lucky me I arrived at 8:30 p.m and I got exactly half an hour to record the beauty of night sakura.
I’m sorry I haven’t write any post since Mar due to my busy days in the past 2 weeks in L.A ! Of course I will share my L.A post later once I catch up all the post from my FEB trip in Japan and Bangkok! ahh.. it seems to take me forever!
Anyways let’s continue from my previous post of Imaiso Hot spring hotel. As mentioned this year, the cherry blossom blooming was a bit early, when I was there it was around 18th of FEB but base on last year, it’s a month earlier! Lucky me during my business trip, I can arrive 2 days in advance to Kawazu. Just a bit background of this place. it is located about 2 hrs 40 mins from Tokyo, each year of the sakura (cherry blossom) blooming period, many people come to visit from all over Japan. as it takes only around 3 hrs from city to a countryside to enjoy such a brilliant view. If you were the first time to Tokyo, highly suggest to take some time from Tokyo to here during this period and stay for a night. There’s not only cherry blossom but also famous onsen, some great sight seeing spot as well!
I have added this link below from the official site of Kawazu. The seven waterfalls of Kawazu is the most famous!
So the next morning after my delicious breakfast in Imaiso Hot Spring Hotel, I decided to go to Kawazu river for some nice shot of Cherry blossom in Kwazu river.Since there is free shuttle from hotel, it took me directly to Kawazu station within 10 mins! How convenient this was! Once arrived, there was a guy wearing the pink Japanese outfit guiding people to Kawazu river. Believe or not, it was my first time seeing Sakura in real! I can’t tell how excited this was!
The 2 Japanese statues in front of the station. It’s also a great spot for photos!
I didn’t plan where I should go but only walk along the Kawazu river as I knew the two sides are full of blooming Sakura! Once I crossed the road, not only sakura but also little yellow flowers along the street! I really love the combination of the pink and yellow! It formed a pretty live painting!
Each year during March to April, is the peak season of Japan’s cherry blossom. Many tourist and locals spend their time either to travel out town or in town to appreciate the beauty of the Sakura.
Throw back to my Tokyo business trip last month, I decided to arrive 2 days in advance to Shizuoka due to the blossom Sakura period in Kawazu. I made this last decision only 2 weeks in advance! I finally decided to go without accompany because I have never seen this in real life except in photos from friends. Since I made this decision very late and due to the cherry blossom peak season, there’s not much choice for hotels. Literally almost 98% were fully booked except this one – Imaiso which is quite convenient and only a station to Kawazu. Most of the hot spring hotel offers meals in the package if any of you have experienced, so it is not surprise this hotel do offer the same.
Before introducing this hotel, would like to tell you a bit background of Kawazu, it is a very small town located in the east coast in Japan with only approximately population of 7000 and a couple spot for hot spring. This year, Kawazu is the first place to have Sakura fully blossom in Japan and it is even earlier than last year. When I was there it’s around Feb 18 and it was suppose to be end of Feb! So guess what, I’m just on the right time and this is not really plan at the beginning! yea Bingo!
In terms of transportation to Kawazu, it takes approximately 2-3 hours by high speed train (Shinkasen) from Tokyo. I would highly recommend those who plan to visit this little city shall check the time table of the high speed train and buy the ticket in advance especially in a peak season like this! As the last train to there was 15:00 which was out of my expectation! I was supposed to take the high speed train to Kawazu however due to the delay of my baggage I had missed it!!! It finally took me 4 hours to arrive at 07:00 p.m at night (1.5 hours later than original time). Anyways, thanks God I was just on the right time to catch the night view of Sakura.
I was supposed to take this train however I missed that because of the delay of my baggage…sigh..
I saw this train high speed train heading back to Tokyo from Kawazu. I shall take this when I am back the next day.