The Kawazuzakura have started to bloom in Saitama

Kawazu are a type of early blooming cherry blossom. They typically bloom from mid February in Saitama Prefecture. But last year, 2025, they were very late and didn't really start blooming until March. This year, however, I am happy to report, that it seems like a more "average" year as today alone I saw Kawazu cherry blossoms blooming in three different locations. 

However, they have just started in Kawagoe, so they will need a few days to look more impressive! Also, there may be some regions in Saitama Prefecture were they are still just buds. But, by and large, within a week of the kawazuzakura in Kawagoe starting to bloom, you can see them all around Saitama Prefecture. It's always a great joy to see the first kawazu cherry blossoms of the season. 

Have you seen any kawazu cherry blossoms in bloom in your prefecture yet? By all accounts, they were blooming in Tokyo last week. I'm glad Saitama Prefecture finally caught up! And so begins about 10 weeks of sakura chasing for me this year! The photo in this post was taken today, February 16th, in Kawagoe.