Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!
Honestly, by mid February, I am completely done with the drafty house and the grey skies. I found the standard April sakura season is usually just a crowded mess where you can’t even see the ground, so I started going to the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival instead. The pink of the Kawazu Sakura (河津桜) is way deeper and more “pink” than the pale stuff you see later, and when you see it next to the yellow Canola Flowers or Nanohana, it actually feels like spring might happen.
It is a bit of a trek from central Yokohama, but catching that first flash of pink from the train window makes the hour-long ride feel like less of a pain. My kid usually starts getting restless about forty minutes in, but the second we see those bright colors, the whining finally stops.
Just a heads up though, Miura is right by the water and it is freakin’ windy. It is still February, so it can get really chilly even if the sun is out. I always make sure we layer up because the walk from the station involves a bit of an uphill climb. If you overdress, you’ll be sweating by the time you reach the trees, but if you go too light, the sea breeze will absolutely freeze you out. I found those thin windbreakers over a sweater are the way to go.
- Festival Dates: February 5 to March 3, 2026.
- Location: Between Miura Kaigan Station and Komatsugaike Park.
- Walking Condition: Mostly paved but includes a slight incline that can be a workout with a stroller.
- Cost: Free (unless you buy too many snacks at the station).
Arriving At Miura Kaigan Station
The festival starts before you even step off the train. During the festival dates, the Keikyu Line goes all out. Look at the station signboard as you arrive. They actually change the standard blue signs to a special cherry blossom design just for the festival. It is one of those little things that makes my kid point and yell, and it is a great first photo op before you even hit the ticket gates.
If you used a Misaki Maguro Pass, keep your eyes peeled for the Stamp Rally posters. You usually scan QR codes on your phone at different spots to collect digital stamps, and sometimes you can even snag a small prize if you finish it.
Klook.comNavigating The Miura Kaigan Tent Village And The Walk
Once you walk out of the ticket gates, you will see the Tent Mura or Festival Tent Village. This is where the local farmers set up to sell Miura Daikon and cabbage. I usually wait to buy the heavy vegetables on the way back so I am not hauling a giant radish for two kilometers.
Grab your Sakura Dorayaki here. It is the fuel you need for the walk. Just don’t get totally stuffed, because the festival has plenty of Food Stalls or Yatai along the way. You’ll find the lighter snack stuff like sakura flavored sweets right at the station entrance, but as you walk toward the park, you’ll find the more filling festival food.
If you forgot breakfast, there is a Coffee House Poem right there with a total “retro” look that is perfect for a quick warm drink. The path itself follows the train tracks for about a kilometer. It is a straight shot, but it gets narrow, so if you are pushing a stroller, just be patient. Most people are moving at a snail’s pace anyway because they are staring at the trees.
Crossing The Sakura Overpass And The Railway Tunnel
About halfway to the park, you will hit the bottleneck: the overpass. This is where everyone crowds to get the shot of the red Keikyu trains passing under the pink branches.People go crazy trying to get the “train plus flowers” shot, and honestly, standing there with my kid while people shove for a photo is a bit of a headache.
I usually skip the long photo sessions and head toward the railway underpass. There is a small tunnel you have to walk through to get to the Komatsugaike Park side. It feels like a little secret entrance, and my kid loves the echo inside. Once you pop out the other side, you reach the pond area.
Chilling at Komatsugaike Park
Once you get past the tunnel, you finally end up at Komatsugaike Park. This is where I finally let my kid run a bit so I can actually breathe for a second. There are more trees around the pond here, and the whole area feels a lot more like “nature” and less like a paved sidewalk.
I usually try to find a spot to sit, though you really shouldn’t expect some wide open private meadow. If you are lucky, you might see some migratory birds hanging out, though I am usually too busy making sure my kid doesn’t accidentally face plant into the pond to notice much of the wildlife.
Since park entry is free, it is the best spot for a quick picnic if you brought your own food from home. Just a fair warning that the toilets are pretty basic, so I always make sure to bring my own antibacterial wet tissues because relying on park facilities to have the basics is a gamble I’m not willing to take.
Klook.comWhat to Bring to the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival
I have shown up to these things totally unprepared before and it is a total disaster. Since we are right on the coast, the wind is freezing and it will cut right through a light jacket. I always make sure to pack a heavy, cute Picnic Mat because the ground around the park is usually damp and gross this time of year, and nobody wants a wet butt while they’re trying to enjoy the view.
I also learned the hard way to bring a Portable Heat Pack. My fingers actually froze last time I tried to take a photo, so having something warm to shove in my pockets was a lifesaver.
Another thing nobody tells you is that the pollen starts ramping up right as these flowers bloom. If you suffer from Hay Fever like my husband does, you are going to be miserable without some protection. I recommend wearing those wrap-around Allergy Glasses from a place like JINS of Zoff. They might not be the most high fashion thing ever, but they keep your eyes from turning into a red, itchy mess.
Just because you’re seeing the Kawazu Sakura in February does not mean you can’t see the Classic Sakura in March! Here are the best spots to see them in Yokohama:
Stick Around for the Lights (or the Strawberries)
If you have any energy left after the park, don’t rush back to the station just yet. During the festival, they light up the trees right in front of the station from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It’s a totally different feeling than the daytime, and honestly, the pink looks even crazier against the dark sky.
If staying late with a kid sounds like a recipe for a meltdown, you can head the opposite direction for some strawberry picking. There are a few farms like Tsukuihama nearby that are perfect for letting the little ones go wild on fruit. It is peak season for it, so you can usually do an all-you-can-eat session for about 30 minutes, which is just enough time before they start getting covered in juice.
Learn more about strawberry picking in Yokohama:
FAQs about the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival
When is the best time to see the Kawazu Sakura at the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival?
Peak bloom is usually the last week of February, but the festival runs from February 5 to March 3 this year.
Is the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival crowded?
Heck yes, especially on weekends. If you can swing a Tuesday morning, do it.
Can I use the Maguro Pass for the Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival?
Yes! The Misaki Maguro Pass is actually a great deal since it covers the train and a meal.
Klook.com