1
Shougetsuin Temple

Early blooming cherry blossoms at "Sakura-dera" temple on a hill

Located behind Ito Station at an elevation of about 700 m, this famous Soto Zen temple, founded in 1607, is situated halfway up a mountain and offers a panoramic view of the city of Ito. Several varieties of cherry trees, including the rare early-blooming higan cherry, are planted in the garden, which is commonly known as "Sakura-dera" (cherry blossom temple).
It is also the family temple of the Ota family, the birthplace of Kinoshita Mokutaro, a literary and medical scholar who was born in Ito City, and Mokutaro often took walks here. It is said that many writers and poets gathered here to enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring and moon viewing in fall.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from mid-February to early April.
Kinds of cherry trees】Kanzakura, Okanzakura, Someiyoshino, Edohigan, etc.

2
Matsukawa promenade

Strolling under the cherry blossoms while listening to the murmuring of the river

A promenade lined with cherry and willow trees stretches about 1 km along the Matsukawa River, which flows through the hot spring town of Ito. Antique streetlights match the tree-lined path, and wooden ryokans, including the Tokai-kan, line the opposite bank of the river, creating an emotional scene. Early-flowering higan-zakura (higan-zakura), rare jugatsu-zakura (jyugatsu-zakura), and yae-zakura (yae-zakura) cherry trees bloom one after another, scattering their petals over the river surface. Carp and ducks can be seen along the Matsukawa River, and visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll while feeling the sound of the water.
At night, the cherry blossoms and the Tokai-kan are lit up in a tasteful way.

Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Late March to early April
Types of cherry trees: Higan cherry, Yae cherry, and Jugatsu cherry.

Ito Matsukawa Lighted Path
Light-up date and time: Usually in late March 18:00-22:00

Matsukawa River Walkway

• Along Matsukawa River, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 5 min. walk from JR Ito Station
• 0557-37-6105（Ito Tourist Association)

3
Komuroyama Park

Take time to enjoy the charm of camellias, which are also the flowering trees of Ito City.

The park is decorated with seasonal flowers throughout the year. From winter to spring, visitors can enjoy 4,000 camellias of about 1,000 varieties from Japan and abroad in the 15,000 m2 "Camellia Garden" within the park. The early-blooming varieties start blooming around October, and the best time to see them is from early February to the end of March. At the "Tsubaki no Yakata" (camellia pavilion) in the park, visitors can enjoy "Tsubaki Appreciation", where about 120 varieties of camellias are displayed in single-flower vases.
The camellia, which is resistant to sea breezes, is also valued as a windbreak, and is so beloved by the locals that it was recognized as Ito City's flowering tree in 1967.

Best time to see them: Usually from early February to the end of March.

▼ Tsubaki viewing party
Date：February 22 (Sat) to March 16 (Sun), 2025 9:00 - 16:00
Place: Tsubaki Garden, Tsubaki no Yakata
Admission: Free
Remarks: https://itospa.com/event/detail_10005.html

The azaleas in full bloom, turning the entire park red, are a sight to behold!

From mid-April to early May each year, the "Komuroyama Park Azalea Viewing Party" is held with approximately 40 varieties and 100,000 azaleas in full bloom. The view from the lift to the top of Komuroyama, which is 321 meters above sea level, is breathtaking in its beauty and power. The view from the lift to the top of Mt. Komuro, 321 meters above sea level, is breathtaking in its beauty and power. On a fine day, you can enjoy the collaboration with Mt.

Best time to visit: Late April to early May

Komuroyama Park Azalea Viewing Party
Date & Time: April 12 (Sat.) - 30 (Wed.), 2025 9:00 - 16:00
Location：Azalea garden
Admission: Free
URL: https: //itospa.com/event/detail_10010.html

4
Rinsenji Temple

One of the best wisteria viewing spots in the prefecture that must be seen at least once

A large 300-year-old wisteria tree is located in the precincts of Rinsenji Temple in the Hagi district of Ito City. It is one of the best-known wisteria viewing spots in Shizuoka Prefecture, and is designated as a prefectural cultural asset (natural monument). Every year, in early May, the magnificent flowers bloom and color the precincts of the temple, attracting many tourists despite its small size.

Be enchanted by the gorgeous and graceful wisteria in full bloom

The many light purple flower clusters hanging from the wisteria trellis are up to 1m 50cm long, and the average is about 90cm. From a distance, the beautiful scenery looks as if a purple curtain is draped over it. The view from the bottom or from the side is another attraction of this area.

Best time to visit: Usually in early May

5
Sakura no Sato

A huge park where you can enjoy a variety of cherry blossoms from fall to spring

Cherry Blossom Village is located about 15 km from Ito Station, or a 30-minute drive. Omuro, 1,500 cherry trees of about 40 varieties are planted on a vast site of about 40,000 m2.
In mid-September, the Jugatsu-zakura cherry trees bloom, in winter the early-blooming Kan-zakura cherry trees bloom, and in late March and April the Someiyoshino and Ito-zakura cherry trees are at their peak. In addition, there are many types of cherry blossoms, such as yaezakura (double cherry blossoms) in early May, so visitors can enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a long period of time.

Best time to visit: Late September to mid-May every year.
Kinds of cherry trees】Kanzakura, Someiyoshino, Itozakura, Yaezakura, and many others.

A festival is held during the main season

The "Sakura no Sato Festival" is held every year in early April, when many cherry trees are in full bloom. The festival attracts not only tourists but also many local residents, making it a crowded place with many cherry blossom viewers. During the cherry blossom viewing season, a nighttime cherry blossom viewing party (illuminated) is also held, so you can also enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.
Sakura-no-sato is a well-maintained park, so a picnic while viewing the cherry blossoms is also recommended.

▼ Night Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
Date and time: March 22 (Sat.) - April 6 (Sun.), 2025, 18:00 - 21:00
Admission: Free
Remarks: https://itospa.com/event/detail_10007.html

6
Izu-Kogen Cherry Blossom Lane

A pink tunnel created by cherry blossoms in full bloom

Izu-Kogen Cherry Blossom Lined Avenue" is a 3-km long cherry tree-lined avenue that starts right after Izu-Kogen Station. About 600 Someiyoshino and Okanzakura cherry trees are planted on both sides of the avenue, so that it resembles a tunnel of cherry blossoms when the trees are in full bloom.

Best time to visit: Usually in early April.
Cherry trees: Okanzakura and Someiyoshino.

Okanzakura cherry trees start blooming in early March.

The Okanzakura cherry trees start blooming in early March, and the Someiyoshino cherry trees are in full bloom from late March to early April. Since it is close to the station, visitors can take their time to appreciate the cherry blossoms.

7
Kawazu Cherry Blossoms in Kawazu Town

Early-blooming Kawazu cherry trees herald the arrival of spring in early February

Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom in the vicinity of Kawazu Town, about an hour's drive from downtown Ito. It is thought to be a natural hybrid of the early-flowering Oshima cherry and Hikan cherry varieties, and is characterized by its deep pink color. Due to Izu's mild climate, blooming usually begins in early February and continues for about a month.
Kawazu is now a popular place for cherry blossom viewing, but it all started around 1955, when a seedling of a cherry tree discovered by chance was propagated. The original tree is located in the garden of Mr. Iida's home in the Tanaka district of Kawazu Town, and can be seen in its stately appearance.

Blooming season] Early February
Best time to see them: Mid-February to early March.
Kind of Cherry Blossoms】 Kawazu-zakura

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival", a tradition of Izu in early spring

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year for about a month in conjunction with the blooming of the cherry trees. The Kawazu cherry blossoms blooming along a 4-kilometer stretch of the river are very worth seeing and attract many visitors every year. Many stalls are set up, and at night the cherry blossoms are lit up, creating a fantastic night view.
The estimated blooming time varies from year to year, so we recommend that you check the website (see below) and make your own plans.

35th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Date：February 1 (Sat) to 28 (Fri), 2025
Location：Near the mouth of Kawazu River～around Sasahara Park
Lighting time: 18:00 - 21:00
Light-up location: Downstream from Tate Bridge in front of Kawazu Station, Mine Onsen Hosen Bridge - behind Odoriko Hot Spring Kaikan, Meiki
URL: https: //kawazuzakura.jp/