While the majority of Japan's cherry blossoms tend to bloom in mid to late March, there are varieties that favor opening their flowers at the end of winter, when it's still cold outside.

Atami, a quiet coastal town about 90 minutes south of Tokyo (or 44 minutes via Shinkansen bullet train), is well known for its many onsen hot springs, and given its proximity to Tokyo it is a popular weekend destination for many looking to relax in the natural hot waters.

In February, it becomes a destination of choice for flower lovers, with plum blossoms opening in early to mid-February. The Atami Sakura cherry blossoms open in late January/early February and last until around February 4 in recent years. The blossoms remain in bloom for about 10 days, drawing crowds of eager tourists.

The promenade along the small Itogawa River is about a 10-minute walk down from Atami Station. Here you'll see 58 trees planted on either side along the street, making for a lovely pastel-pink canopy that runs for around 300 meters. While called a river, the Itogawa is more of a picturesque stream that meanders down to the ocean.

On either side of the river are a variety of small restaurants, shops, and bars, and on the weekends, you might catch some of the local merchants selling drinks and snacks outdoors.

Now you might wonder what time of day is best to catch the gorgeous sakura, and the fact is that you can enjoy them at pretty much all time of day. While you can enjoy tea service and other events nearby from 10am to 3pm, the river and its view is open around the clock.

From morning until early afternoon, you will likely see flocks of energetic mejiro - Japanese white eyes - flitting from flower to flower in search of delicious nectar, their excited peeps drawing crowds of shutterbugs hoping for a shot of these shy birds.

And from around 3-3:30 PM, the angle of the sun will bring on 'golden hour' - when the light pink of the flower petals will pop against the blue hues of the sky, making for dramatic images.

As evening draws near, the retro-looking streetlights flick on, bathing the area in a warm incandescent glow.

Then from 4:30 PM to 11 PM, the blossoms themselves are illuminated from below, casting a romantic glow that's rather enjoyable with a bottle of warm sake.

There are several small bridges along the Itogawa River, each offering Instaworthy selfie spots. Two particularly popular areas around the Shinyanagi Bridge (shown above) and Dragon Bridge (below).

Depending on the season, you might be able to catch not only the Atami sakura blossoms, but also the famous plum blossoms! These sweet, fragrant flowers come into bloom in early to mid-February as well, and the Atami Plum Garden is a popular scenic spot to see these beauties.

Also, as Atami is a hot spring town, don't miss the chance to soak in soothing onsen waters before your trip back to Tokyo!

With a car charter and driver, you can take breaks and go sightseeing at your own pace, and having a lot of luggage is not a problem. You can enjoy beautiful coastal and mountain views from the car window. It ensures a comfortable and fulfilling trip with a focus on privacy.