The Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival in 2026

Only one week until the Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival. Why is it on in February and not the end of March like most other cherry blossom festivals? That is because the cherry blossoms at Nishihirabatake park, the venue of the festival, are the stunning kawazu cherry blossoms. Kawazuzakura are an early blooming variety of cherry blossoms (pictured). 

The 2026 festival runs from February 7 (Sat) to March 8 (Sun), with the park open daily from 9:00 to 16:00. Visitors enter through the Matsuda Herb Garden area, where the slope offers sweeping views of the Ashigara Valley and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji. Admission is ¥500 for adults and ¥100 for children aged 6–17, with free entry for children under 6, people with disability certificates, and Matsuda residents.

Access is via Shin Matsuda Station and JR Matsuda station. By car, parking is at  Sakawa River temporary parking area. There is a bus from both Matsuda Station's North exit and the temporary parking area. It costs 200 yen. The official event page has walking directions in photos.