What is Kawazu Zakura?
Introduction
- Kawazu Zakura is the earliest bloom Sakura in Kyoto.
- We can find some of them in Ichijo Modori bashi bridge, Toji, Unryuin, and Philosopher’s path.
- They go into full bloom around mid-March.
- We may see them at Toji night illumination. (It depends on when they bloom)
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The Dates of the bloom in 2022
- Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge,. Sanjo Ohashi bridge, Toji temple, and Unryu-in temple: 26 Feb.
The Dates of the bloom in 2021
- Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge and Unryu-in temple: 30 Jan.
- Sanjo Ohashi bridge and Toji temple: 3 Feb.
The Dates of the best time to admire
- Sanjo Ohashi bridge: 4th Mar.
- Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge: 6th Mar.
- Toji temple: 6th Mar.
- Unryu-in temple: Not available (closed)
2025年の更新開始です。
Find your Kawzu Zakura place!
The Sakura Season in Kyoto
We cannot forecast exactly, O.K.?
Earlier than our expectations these years.
Where can we find Kawazu Zakuras?
Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge 一条戻橋
Easy to find.
Sanjo Ohashi bridge 三条大橋西詰
Find Starbucks Kyoto Sanjo-Ohashi. Across the street, there are 2 Kawzu Zakura trees.
Toji temple 東寺
Keigamon gate is located near a Koban and Toji Higashimon mae bus stop. Go through it.
Couples of minutes later, you’ll find the gate.
Over the gate, there is a Dainichi Doh temple and Kawazu Zakura trees are located next to it.
And near the pagoda, Kodo (3D mandala) , and the wall facing the east.
Unryuin temple 雲龍院
Near the main hall, the entrance gate and at the parking lot.
Philosopher’s path 哲学の道
Toji Sakura night illumination 2025
- Dates 3/15～4/13
- Open hours 18:00~21:30（21:00受付終了）
- Entrance fee 1,000 JPY
I reckon Kawaszu Zakuras would bloom in late February this year and we could them illuminated at Toji.
京都の河津桜 Breaking 2025
2/22 Cat Day ネコの日
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge. Only buds are found.
On 2/21/2025, near Sanjo Ohashi bridge. So far, about 4 weeks later than last year.
2/21
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge. They would bloom in March, i guess.
2/16
Only buds.
I guess they would bloom in couples of weeks and we could see them illuminated at Toji.
2/15
Nothing changed near Ichijo Modoribashi bridge.
Enjoy Umes at Nishiki Tenmangu shrine.
2/14
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge. Nothing changed?
2/9
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, they are still buds.
Near Ichojo Modori bashi, too.
2/1
At Toji and Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, there are tiny buds.
I guess they would bloom in couples of weeks.
So far
1/31
To our regret, they don’t bloom in January this year. Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, we can find tiny buds.
1/25
At Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, the buds are still stiff. If you want to see Sakura, you can find Fudan Zakuras (Sakura blooms in spring and fall) blooms near Bairin garden in Kyoto Imperial Palace. In Kitano Tenmangu shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace, Roh-bais (Ume with sweet fragrance) bloom.
1/19
At Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, the buds are still stiff. I can find only a few Ume in Kitano Tenmaugu shrine though we can find some Ume around 1/1 usually. I guess Kawazu Zakuras would bloom in February this year.
1/3
今年もいってみんべえか
Later than expected in 2025.
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, there are small buds
The ones in Toji temple are smaller.
There are no Umes in Kitano Tenmangu shrine though we can find some usually.
In 2024, the Migoro of autumn leaves arrived about 2 weeks later than usual. And we can find some of them in Yasaka shrine, Toji temple, and other places.
Besides, this winter is warmer than usual.
We cannot foresee when Kawazu Zakuras bloom so far.
Breaking 2024
3/30
At Toji, most of them have fallen off. Today, I finish the revision of 2024. I thank you for your reading this post. The revision of 2025 will be started in early January. 合掌
Thanks. See you next Jan.
Thank you.
Bye.
3/23
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, they are still in about 80％ bloom though some are Hazakura.
When Sakura petals fall off, leaves grow up. We call this Hazakura. Ha means leave.
And at Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, too.
I guess this weekend is the last opportunity to enjoy Kawazu Zakura in almost full bloom.
Someiyoshino (so-called Sakura) bloom!!!
3/19
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, some start falling. About 80％. I guess this weekend is the last opportunity to admire them.
3/17
Near Uryuseki rock, the place Gozu Tenno descended to some 1,000 years ago, they are in full bloom.
The ones in Philosopher’s path, too.
3/16
The Toji night illumination started today. Kawazu Zakura are still alive though some fell off. I guess we can enjoy them in a couple of days.
しっぽりしてます。
At Toji, the ones near Ekojo are still in Migoro.
Near Ichijo Modori Bashi, too.
The ones near Sanjo Ohashi bridge is also in Migoro but I don’t recommend to see them late at night, especially in weekend.
Drunken people.
3/12
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, they are still in full bloom. The green bird is Mejiro.
3/10
At Toji, they are in full bloom. Some flowers start falling but we can find some buds. I guess we can enjoy them in the night illumination event that starts on 3/16.
Near Ekojo, too.
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, they also are in full bloom. Lots of people were there to enjoy them.
Ichijo Modoribashi
and Philosopher’s path. Full bloom.
3/7
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, the second tree is in full bloom. The other is in 90％ bloom.
I guess when the Sakura night illumination of Toji starts, we cannot find fully blooming Kawzu Zakura there. If you want to see fully blooming ones, go to Sanjo Ohashi asap.
3/5
They are in 90％ bloom near Sanjo Ohashi bridge. Enjoy the earliest Yozakura (Sakura at night) 2024. Migoro is coming though the hard rain made some petals fall off.
This weekend, they will be in full bloom.
3/3
Next week end, all the places would be in Migoro.
来週末にはすべての場所で見頃に入る蓋然性がオニのように高まつてゐる。
Near Ekojo of Toji, they are in about 80％ bloom.
Near the pagoda, too.
The night illumination 2024 starts on 3/16. I guess we’ll find some of them.
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge and at Philosopher’s path, they are in hey are in about 80％ bloom.
The ones near Ichijo Modoribashi bridge are in about 70％ bloom.
At Unryuin temple, too.
3/1
In slight progress. About 60％ bloom.
2/28
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, they are still in about 50％ bloom.
2月24日
At Toji, near Dainichi Doh, the trees are in about 50％ bloom.
But near the Goju no Toh pagoda, they are in about 20％ bloom.
The night illumination 2024 starts on 3/16. We could enjoy them, I guess.
About 50％ bloom near Sanjo Ohashi bridge.
About 10％ bloom at Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge.
At Unryuin, too.
And at Philosopher’ path, too.
Ume is in Migoro in Baien garden of Kitano Tenmangu shrine.
2/21
About 30％ bloom near Sanjo Ohashi bridge.
しっぽり
2/18
About 20％ bloom in Toji.
2/16
Near the Sanjo Ohashi bridge, some flowers bloom. The Sakura season of 2024 kicked off.
The Sakura season of 2024 kicked off!!!
2/14
Near Sanjo Ohashi bridge, The buds are on the verge of blooming. I could find some flowers at Toji.
今週末までに開花する蓋然性がオニのやうに高まつて居る
I guess they will bloom by the end of this week.
2/11
The buds at Ichijo Modoribashi bridge don’t bloom yet. The ones in Toji are, too. Japan marked 2683th anniversary. Check out the link.
2/10
At Toji temple. They will bloom in couples of days.
2/7
Sanjo Ohashi bridge was renovated and is illuminated every night since then.
They will bloom in couples of days, I guess.
2月3日
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, They are still on the verge of blooming.
We would see they bloom in next week end, i guess.
And at Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, too.
1/28
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, these buds are on the verge of blooming.
I guess they would bloom in a week.
At Toji, not yet.
Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, too.
The buds in Unryuin temple are still stiff.
1月26日
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, the buds are still on the verge of blooming.
1/21
At Toji, the buds grows big.
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, some buds are on the verge of blooming.
1月14日
At Toji, the buds start growing.
I guess we’ll find the earliest bloomer of 2024 at Sanjo Ohashi bridge or Ichijo Modoribashi bridge.
1月13日
At Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, the buds are growing well.
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, too.
The buds of Unryuin temple are still stiff.
1/9
I guess they will bloom in January this year. I’ve never seen such big buds in Ebessan day.
1/3
本年は波乱の幕開けとなりました。亡くなられた方々のご冥福をお祈りするとともに、被災された方々、並びに皆さまのご多幸とご健勝をお祈り申し上げます。合掌
I start the revision of 2024. Today, I found the buds started booming.
They are same as the ones on 1/25/2023. I guess the ones of 2024 would bloom earlier than expected.
In January, i guess.
At Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, the buds are stiff.
We call such buds “stiff” in Japanese.
The Blooms of 2023
3/18
At Sanjo Ohashi, Ichijo Modoribashi bridge and Sanjo Ohashi, Kawazu Zakuras started to fall. We can enjoy the ones of Toji in night illumination.
3月15日
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge. Migoro. HURRY!!!
3/10
We have warm days in this week and Kawzu Zakuras are in FULL BLOOM. 見頃に入りました。
The ones near the pagoda are in Migoro, the best time to admire. The night illumination of 2023 starts on 18/3. We couldn’t enjoy it with full bloomed ones.
The ones near Ekojo are also in Migoro.
Besides, the ones near Ichojo Modoribasi bridge are in 90％ bloom.
3月8日
About 50％ bloom at Sanjo Ohashi bridge. They could be in Migoro in this weekend.
3月3日
At Toji temple, IN RAPID PROGRESS!!!
The ones in the pagoda are nearly booming. I suppose we could enjoy them at the night illumination.
On the way to Baigen garden, I glanced the ones near Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge. They are not in progress.
Baien garden is in Migoro now.
2/25
At Toji, couples of Sakuras are found.
And Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, too.
So far, they bloom in the same way as 2022.
2/22
Though 1 week has passed,
just a couple of Sakuras found.
2/19
I found a couple of blooms at Unryuin temple (near the parking lot).
The buds at Toji temple are nearly blooming.
And at Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge, too.
I suppose they would start to bloom in next week.
As our old saying says, ” Get some sleep and wait good news.”
2/15
It’s unusual to see Kawazu Zakuras in snow.
2/14
They are BLOOMING at Sanjo Ohashi bridge!!!
2/12
NOT BLOOMING at Ichijo Modori Bash bridge
and at Sanjo Ohashi bridge.
Except some at Unryuin temple, the other places look like that. They would start to bloom in late February.
We could enjoy them at Toji in night illumination.
2/11
To our regret, I only find the buds in Unryuin temple.
2/9
Not yet at Sanjo Ohashi bridge.
2/5
Nearly blooming at Unryuin Temple. I suppose they would bloom in next week.
2/4
We only find buds at Toji temple, Sanjo Ohashi bridge, and Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge. Some of them reveal the color of their petals. They would bloom in next week.
1/31
The buds at Toji temple. This year, we can’t find flowers in January. I suppose they blooms in early February.
1/21
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge Higashizume, we can find some buds.
And at Ichijo Modoribashi bridge, too. I suppose they are in bloom around the end of January or early February.
1/4
I found some plum blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu shrine. Kawazu Zakura of 2023 would bloom earlier than expected, I suppose.
The Blooms of 2022
3/24
They are still in bloom though we have lots of Hazakura.
I think this weekend is the last opportunity to enjoy them in 2022.
3/20
Spring night illumination in Toji started yesterday. This year, we can enjoy Kawazu Zakura in the night illumination because they bloomed later than usual year.
Now almost all the Kawazu Zakura are on decline.
HURRY UP!!!
We can’t guarantee we can enjoy Kawazu Zakura in night illumination next year.
The ones in the philosopher’s path also are in full bloom.
Near the kitten heaven.
3/19
The ones near the pagoda of Toji are in full bloom but the ones near Kindo are on decline.
Near Ekojo, some flower became “Hazakura.” When many kinds of Sakura are on decline, leaves appears under flowers and we call them Hazakura.
The ones in Unryu-in temple also are in full bloom.
Now we are the best time to admire Kawazu Zakura. We’re in HURRY.
。ご覧になりたい方は急いでください。
3/17
I send prayers for the people in the area hit by the earthquake yesterday and those who in suffer. 合掌
2 days ago, Tohoku region was hit by major earthquake and I didn’t feel to say anything is in bloom. So I revise this article today.
On 17th, Kawazu Zakura at Ichijo Modoribashi bridge is in full bloom.
And at Sanjo Ohashi bridge, too. I suppose the ones at Unryu-in temple and Philosopher’s path are not.
In 2022, the night illumination of Toji started on 19th. It ends on 17th April. I believe we can enjoy Kazazu Zakura, Someiyoshino, and Fuji Zakura illuminated.
3/15
Full bloom at Sanjo Ohashi bridge.
2/26
Start to bloom at Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge, Sanjo Ohashi bridge, Toji temple, and Unryu-in temple.
2/12
I didn’t find any Kawazu Zakura at Toji temple, Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge, Sanjo Ohashi bridge, and Unryuin Temple, The buds of all these places are nearly blooming except the those of Unryuin temple. I believe we can see Kawazu Zakura of 2022 in the next week.
As our old saying says, ” Get some sleep and wait good news.”
6/2
At Toji temple, Ichijo Modori Bashi bridge, Sanjo Ohashi bridge, and Unryuin Temple, NO Kawazu Zakura was found. I supposed we can see some of them in this week end.
2/3
At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, some buds are nearly blooming. I suppose we can flowers at least in this weekend.
1/30and31
In Toji, Unru-in, Ichijo Modori Bashi, and Sanjo Ohashi, I found no flowers. Execept Unryu-in, the buds in these places looked like in the ones in the photo.
1/27
At Sanjo Ohashi, some buds prepares for blooming.
1/14
The buds in Toji became やわらかい（soft/tender）, I start a report of 皇紀二千六百八十二年/令和(Reiwa)四年/2022. This report will finished by mid-Mar of 2022. I suppose we can see some of them bloom within Jan.
Enjoy my roport! 本年も宜しくお願い申し上げます。合掌。
