Things to Do in Kawazu (河津町), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kawazu (河津町) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳), Banjirō Dake (万二郎岳), Chōkurō Yama (長九郎山) and served by Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 264 m elevation (34.7861°N, 138.9526°E), Kawazu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Higashiizu (東伊豆町) (8.2 km), Shimoda (下田市) (11.9 km), Matsuzaki (松崎町) (12.9 km), Nishiizu (西伊豆町) (13 km).

Kawazu (河津町, Kawazu-chō) is a town located on the east coast of Izu Peninsula in Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The town is noted for its Kawazu sakura, a variety of early-blooming sakura. Kawazu on the southern Izu Peninsula of Shizuoka Prefecture is famous across Japan as the home of early-blooming Kawazu-zakura cherry trees (which line the Kawazu River in pink every February), the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls (Nanadaru), and Imaihama Onsen. Situated across rolling inland terrain at 264 m elevation in Shizuoka Prefecture, Kawazu is anchored by local landmarks including Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳), Banjirō Dake (万二郎岳), Chōkurō Yama (長九郎山) and connects to neighboring Higashiizu, Shimoda, Matsuzaki via Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km). Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Kawazu (河津町) serves as a town (町) in shizuoka prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

What to See & Do in Kawazu (河津町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kawazu (河津町) from Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) at 264 m elevation (34.7861°N, 138.9526°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kawazu):

• Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Kawazu (河津町).
• Banjirō Dake (万二郎岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Kawazu (河津町).
• Chōkurō Yama (長九郎山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kawazu (河津町).
• Tōgasa Yama (遠笠山) — local sightseeing landmark near Kawazu (河津町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kawazu: Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kawazu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kawazu (河津町) and Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Higashiizu (東伊豆町) — 8.2 km from Kawazu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Shimoda (下田市) — 11.9 km from Kawazu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Matsuzaki (松崎町) — 12.9 km from Kawazu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Nishiizu (西伊豆町) — 13 km from Kawazu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Minamiizu (南伊豆町) — 17.5 km from Kawazu (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Kawazu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kawazu (河津町) via Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km): 45m–1h 25m from Tokyo Station (or 1h–1h 30m from Kyoto/Osaka) directly on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama. From Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) to reach central Kawazu (34.7861°N, 138.9526°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Kawazu (河津町) and neighboring Higashiizu, Shimoda, Matsuzaki. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kawazu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Kawazu between Shizuoka and Higashiizu can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kawazu: While Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) anchors public transit for Kawazu, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) and Banjirō Dake (万二郎岳) with nearby Higashiizu (東伊豆町) (8.2 km), Shimoda (下田市) (11.9 km), Matsuzaki (松崎町) (12.9 km), Nishiizu (西伊豆町) (13 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kawazu (河津町) & Shizuoka

Dining near Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) and across Kawazu (河津町) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kawazu:

• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kawazu (河津町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kawazu (河津町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Kawazu (河津町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Kawazu (河津町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Kawazu (河津町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kawazu (河津町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km).

Where to Stay in Kawazu (河津町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kawazu (河津町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Higashiizu, Shimoda, Matsuzaki for quick train access into Kawazu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kawazu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kawazu (河津町, 264 m elevation at 34.7861°N, 138.9526°E): Early February–March for Kawazu early cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula; October–February for crisp, unobstructed southern views of Mount Fuji.

Wider sightseeing across Shizuoka Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) in Kawazu (河津町) includes: Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

Practical Travel Tips for Kawazu (河津町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kawazu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) for local bus schedules to Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) and walking maps of Kawazu (河津町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kawazu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kawazu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kawazu: Around Kawazu Station (河津駅) (5.8 km) and neighboring Higashiizu, Shimoda, Matsuzaki, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.