Each year, the Japan Meteorological Corporation releases their projections on when sakura will bloom, but the dates provided are based on the most common somei yoshino variety. In actuality, there are numerous cherry blossom varieties, including a type called kawazuzakura which flowers earlier than others.
The Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival started in 2003 to celebrate these early bloomers, with over 1000 kawazuzakura trees lining the route from Miura Kaigan Station to Komatsugaike Park. In previous years, around 300,000 visitors have attended during the festival dates, making it something of a spring tradition in the area.
The festival runs from the early February to early March timeframe, which is perfect for those visiting Japan a little earlier than the standard somei yoshino blooming period.
