"The coastal town of Kawazu on Japan's Izu Peninsula is currently painted in pink as its famous Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms reach peak bloom. The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, running from February 7 to March 8, attracts nearly 2 million visitors each year to witness this spectacular early-spring phenomenon. Footage captured on Tuesday reveals the festival's centrepiece: around 850 cherry trees lining both sides of the Kawazu River, creating a magnificent 4-km pink tunnel that captivates visitors. "It's truly amazing to see a riverside path lined with so many cherry blossom trees. The density of their planting is impressive, and the best part is that the ground is spotless," noted visitor Iwasaki. Another visitor, Shogo, shared, "When I see the cherry blossoms, I know spring has arrived. That's why people come from far and wide. It truly feels like spring has finally come this year." Unlike Japan's famous Somei Yoshino variety, which primarily blooms from late March to early April in most parts of the country, Kawazu-zakura flowers appear about a month earlier - typically from early February to early March. Discovered in Kawazu during the 1950s, these trees are believed to be a natural hybrid of the Oshima-zakura and Kanhi-zakura varieties, producing larger, vivid pink petals that create stunning visual displays. The Kawazu-zakura was accidentally discovered in 1955 by Katsumi Iida, who found a young sapling and planted it in his garden. It was recognised as a new species and officially named in 1974."