Minamiizu Sakura and Nanohana Festival 2026

• February 1, 2026 at 9:00 am
  Event date:
• March 20, 2026 at 9:00 pm
  Event end:

History

The Minamiizu Sakura and Nanohana Festival began in the early 2000s when local residents and tourism officials decided to highlight the area’s unusually early-blooming Kawazu-zakura trees along the Aono River. These vibrant pink cherries were originally planted in the 1970s to beautify the riverbanks and attract visitors to the quiet southern tip of the Izu Peninsula.

Facing the river, farmers expanded a small rapeseed (nanohana) field into a massive 3-hectare sea of yellow, creating one of Japan’s most striking pink-and-yellow spring landscapes. The festival quickly grew from a local event into one of Shizuoka’s premier early hanami destinations.

Thanks to Minamiizu’s warm microclimate—warmed by the Kuroshio Current—the blooms appear weeks ahead of Tokyo or Kyoto, marking the very first large-scale cherry-blossom festival on Honshu each year.

Overview

The Minamiizu Sakura and Nanohana Festival 2026 will run from early February to mid-March, featuring 800 Kawazu-zakura trees lining 4.2 km of the Aono River in vivid magenta-pink. Directly opposite, a vast 3-hectare field explodes in bright yellow nanohana, creating a breathtaking natural color contrast.

Evening illuminations light up the riverbank trees, while weekend food stalls, local markets, and occasional river boat rides add festive energy. The mild Izu weather makes it perfect for relaxed walks and photography.

Highlights

• 800 Kawazu-zakura Along the River: Deep-pink early blooms stretching 4.2 km—Japan’s longest riverside cherry tunnel.
• 3-Hectare Nanohana Field: Endless golden rapeseed flowers facing the pink cherries for stunning two-tone views.
• Evening Illuminations: Trees lit up nightly (usually 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) for magical after-dark scenes.
• Weekend Food Stalls & Markets: Fresh seafood, kinmedai (golden eye snapper) dishes, local sweets, and hot drinks.
• River Boat Rides: Short cruises under the blooming canopy on select weekends.

Why Jasumo Recommends?

• 800 Kawazu-zakura Along the River: Deep-pink early blooms stretching 4.2 km—Japan’s longest riverside cherry tunnel.
• 3-Hectare Nanohana Field: Endless golden rapeseed flowers facing the pink cherries for stunning two-tone views.
• Evening Illuminations: Trees lit up nightly (usually 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) for magical after-dark scenes.
• Weekend Food Stalls & Markets: Fresh seafood, kinmedai (golden eye snapper) dishes, local sweets, and hot drinks.
• River Boat Rides: Short cruises under the blooming canopy on select weekends.

If you’re coming to Japan or already in Japan, Jasumo can arrange custom Izu Peninsula tours, private drivers, boat ride bookings, onsen packages, and more. Just contact us using the contact page.

Schedule

Early February to mid-March 2026 (typically 5 weeks)

• Daytime Viewing: Anytime
• Illumination: Usually 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily
• Main Events & Stalls: Weekends and holidays

Pricing

• Entry: Completely FREE
• Parking: ¥500 per vehicle (supports local environmental upkeep)
• Boat Rides: Small additional fee on weekends

Location

Along the Aono River & Hino Nanohana Field Main hub: Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana Shimogamo, Minamiizu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 415-0303, Japan

How to Get There

• By Train + Bus: Izukyu Line to Izukyu-Shimoda Station → Tokai Bus to “Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana” (~40 min).
• From Tokyo: Shinkansen to Atami → Izukyu Line to Shimoda (total ~3 hours) → short bus.
• By Car: ~3.5 hours from Tokyo via Tomei & Odawara-Atsugi Road; parking ¥500 at event lots.

Accommodation Options

Shimoda and Minamiizu offer seaside ryokan and onsen resorts from ¥18,000–¥50,000 per person with fresh seafood dinners. Many provide shuttle service to the festival site.

Budget hotels and minshuku start at ¥8,000–¥15,000. Book early—peak bloom weekends fill up fast with visitors chasing Japan’s earliest sakura.

FAQs

When is the best time to see the blooms in 2026?

Peak usually falls mid-to-late February, but the long festival and staggered varieties mean beautiful scenery from early February to mid-March.

Are the evening illuminations every night?

Yes—lights are on nightly from around 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM throughout the festival period.

Is parking really only ¥500?

Yes—and the fee directly supports maintenance of the cherry trees and rapeseed fields. Free roadside parking is extremely limited.

Can I see both the sakura and nanohana at the same spot?

Absolutely—the nanohana field sits directly across the river from the cherry tree tunnel, creating the festival’s famous side-by-side view.

Are river boat rides available every day?

No—boat rides operate mainly on weekends and holidays, weather permitting. Check locally or book in advance for guaranteed spots.

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Location