As winter fades and spring approaches, Japan’s landscapes begin to transform with delicate hues of pink and white. While cherry blossoms (sakura) steal the spotlight later in the season as Japan’s most iconic springtime experience, plum blossoms (ume) quietly mark the arrival of spring. Blooming from late January to March, these fragrant and elegant flowers offer a serene and less crowded alternative to the sakura spectacle.
Plum blossoms are an important part of the Japanese culture which symbolizes the arrival of the spring. For visitors eager to experience Japan’s seasonal beauty beyond the famous cherry blossoms, ume viewing provides a perfect prelude to the sakura season.
The Cultural Significance of Plum Blossoms
Plum blossoms have long been cherished in Japan, even before cherry blossoms gained popularity. They were revered in ancient poetry, frequently depicted in art, and remain an important symbol in Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Representing perseverance, renewal, and good fortune, ume trees bloom despite the lingering chill of winter, embodying resilience and the promise of warmer days ahead.
Where to See Plum Blossoms in Japan
Unlike the fleeting cherry blossoms, plum blossoms often stay in bloom for several weeks. Depending on the region, visitors can enjoy ume viewing from late January to March. Here are some of the best spots to experience Japan’s plum blossoms:
Tokyo
- Yushima Tenjin Shrine – One of Tokyo’s best spots for plum blossoms, this historic shrine is famous for its Yushima Tenjin Ume Festival (February 8 to March 8, 2025), where visitors can enjoy traditional performances and festive street stalls. The shrine is also a popular place for students praying for academic success, making it a culturally significant location to visit during ume season.
- Accessibility: Nearest station is Yushima Station, a 2-minute walk from the station (about 15 min from Tokyo Station)
- Open Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm (Shops open 9:00 am to 7:00 pm)
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden – A historical Edo-period landscape garden, Koishikawa Korakuen offers a tranquil atmosphere with ume trees blending beautifully into the traditional scenery. The contrast between the vibrant blossoms and the surrounding ponds, bridges, and teahouses creates a picturesque setting perfect for a relaxing stroll.
- Accessibility: 5 min walk from Iidabashi Station or Korakuen Station (about 15 min from Tokyo Station)
- Open Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (entry until 4:30 pm)
Ibaraki
- Kairakuen Garden – One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kairakuen in Mito is home to approximately 3,000 plum trees of 100 different varieties. It hosts the Mito Plum Festival, one of Japan’s largest ume celebrations, featuring tea ceremonies, cultural performances, and seasonal treats. The scale of the garden and the variety of plum trees make it a must-visit destination for ume enthusiasts.
- Accessibility: a short bus/taxi ride from Kairakuen Station (operates during plum blossom season) or Mito Station (about 2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Open Hours: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm in Mid-February to September, 7:00 to 6:00 pm in October to Mid-February
Kyoto
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – Dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine is famous for its extensive plum orchard with around 1,500 trees. The vibrant pink and white blossoms provide a breathtaking scene, and the shrine hosts a special plum blossom tea ceremony, adding to the experience. This place is also popular as a shrine for students, as Sugawara no Michizane became a God of Scholars, and around the period of entrance exams for schools in January to February, the shrine gets pretty crowded.
- Accessibility: 5 min walk from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station or 35 min bus ride from Kyoto Station
- Open Hours: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (Shops open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm)
- Jonangu Shrine – Known for its elegant Heian-style garden, Jonangu Shrine features early-blooming plums that contrast beautifully against the shrine’s traditional architecture. The garden is also known for its picturesque streams and seasonal flowers, making it a peaceful spot for ume viewing.
- Accessibility: 15 min walk or a bus ride from Takeda Station (about 20 min from Kyoto Station)
- Open Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Osaka
- Osaka Castle Park – Boasting a plum grove with around 1,270 trees, Osaka Castle Park creates a stunning backdrop against the historic castle. The park’s diverse varieties of ume allow for an extended viewing period, making it a favorite local spot for early spring outings. The combination of history and natural beauty makes it one of Osaka’s most scenic seasonal attractions.
- Accessibility: 10 min walk from Morinomiya Station or Osakajokoen Station
- Open Hours: Park open for 24 hours, Osaka Castle open 9:00am to 5:00 pm
Shizuoka
- Atami Plum Garden – Known for having some of the earliest blooming plum trees in Japan, Atami Plum Garden’s flowers can appear as early as late November. The Atami Plum Festival is held annually, offering cultural performances, local crafts, and the opportunity to enjoy ume-flavored delicacies. The garden’s mild coastal climate makes it an ideal location to experience Japan’s first blooms of the season.
-
- Accessibility: 10 min bus ride or 30 min walk from Atami Station (about 1 hour from Tokyo Station using Shinkansen)
- Open Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Plum Blossom Festivals and Seasonal Treats
Throughout Japan, plum blossom festivals (ume matsuri) celebrate the arrival of these stunning flowers. Visitors can enjoy tea ceremonies, local crafts, and seasonal delicacies such as plum-flavored sweets and umeshu (plum wine).
For travelers visiting Japan between late January and early March, experiencing plum blossoms is a unique and tranquil way to welcome spring. Let me know in the comments if you have visited any of these places!