Many Feburarys in the past, at Ritsurin Backyard in Takamatsu, I discovered myself confused. “Why on Earth do sakura bloom so early right here?” I requested my information (I used to be on a press journey organized by JTB, in any other case I wouldn’t have had one).
“These are ume,” she corrected me. “Plum blossoms.” She went on to level out some bodily variations between the 2 kinds of flowers—ume are brighter than sakura, and have a extra “prickly” look amongst others— and to clarify that plum blossoms bloom a lot sooner than cherry blossoms.
Previous that time, I grew to become fascinated with plum blossoms in Japan, and have now made some extent of seeing them as many locations as I can. When you’re as occupied with ume as I’m, I hope you’ll proceed studying!
When Do Plum Blossoms Bloom in Japan?
On one hand, the Japan plum blossoms are “simpler” to get pleasure from than sakura. They last more and are much less susceptible to fluctuations of their bloom as a consequence of winter climate, since they have an inclination to bloom in winter anyway. Many of the occasions that I’ve loved ume, I’ve performed so with little or no premeditation and nearly no stress. Nearly all of plum blossoms in Japan bloom in February, with the latter half of the month the standard peak interval.
However, among the greatest ume spots in Japan don’t attain full bloom till March, a few of them not till mid and even late March. For instance, the 2 locations I’ve talked about in Mie prefecture are a lot later blooming than these in Kyoto or Osaka, due principally to their elevation. You need to be aware of that is your journey to Japan is in both February or March, to keep away from having to buy a bouquet of flowers in lieu of seeing ume-no-hana out “within the wild”!
High Plum Blossom Locations in Japan
Kitano Tenman-gu, Kyoto
By no means heard of Kitano Tenman-gu? To not fear. Whereas well-known amongst Japanese individuals, this shrine is mainly unknown to foreigners. Fortunately, it’s kind of on the way in which between the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, so for those who’re in Kyoto in mid-to-late February, it’s simple to cease right here and see plum blossoms.
Osaka Citadel, Osaka
However, you’re prone to go to Osaka Citadel regardless of the state of affairs relating to plum blossom viewing in Japan. Nonetheless, late February to early March is my favourite interval to come back right here. With out the distinctive colours and textures of ume, Osaka-jo (which isn’t one among Japan’s unique castles, even when it is without doubt one of the most iconic) will be considerably forgettable.
Inabe Metropolis Bairin Koen, Mie
Mie prefecture, conversely, is without doubt one of the least-visit components of Japan, and the Inabe Metropolis Agricultural Park (or Bairin Koen—actually, “plum backyard”—in Japanese) is much off no matter vacationer path you assume Mie-ken has. It additionally blooms comparatively late, in mid- (or, in some years late) March.
Kairaku-en, Ibaraki
One other underrated place to see ume in Japan is at Kairaku-en in Ibaraki, one of many solely locations in Japan less-visited than Mie. Considerably curiously, the backyard (which is situated within the capital metropolis of Mito) is called being one among the highest three gardens in Japan, a truth I’m certain has a minimum of one thing to do with its plum blossoms.
Suzuka Forest Backyard, Mie
Final however not least (and, as I discover ume extra, in all probability not final for lengthy) is Suzuka Forest Backyard, additionally in Mie. Situated comparatively near the beef-producing metropolis of Matsusaka, this place options “weeping” plum bushes, that are particularly lovely once they’re in full bloom. Nevertheless, this occurs fairly late right here (simply because it did up in Inabe). As you possibly can see, my go to on March 10 of the 12 months I went was slightly early.
Find out how to Combine Plum Blossoms into Your Japan Journey
As a result of many prime plum blossom websites are in main cities, there really isn’t a lot “integration” that you should do. When you plan to be in Kyoto as a result of about mid-February and early March, for instance, you possibly can merely cease by Kitano Tenman-gu in your approach between Kinkaku-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Likewise, for those who’ll be in Osaka, Osaka Citadel is nearly definitely in your pre-existing checklist.
The place ume blossoms in Japan get extra sophisticated is if you wish to go additional off the overwhelmed path. Kairaku-en is definitely not too tough. Situated simply 80 minutes from Tokyo’s Ueno Station by practice, you possibly can simply go there on a day journey from the capital. Nevertheless, visiting the ume spots in Mie prefecture requires renting a automobile, so if you wish to go there, I’d counsel that you just plan to be in Nagoya (and even Tsu, Matsusaka or Ise) in mid-to-late March.
Different FAQ About Plum Blossom Viewing in Japan
When are you able to see plum blossoms in Japan?
Plum blossoms exist throughout Japan, in mainly each main metropolis. High spots, nonetheless, together with fashionable vacationer locations like Osaka Citadel and Kitano Tenman-gu, a shrine that’s handy to lots of Kyoto’s prime points of interest. You can too go additional off the overwhelmed path, be that at Kairaku-en in Mito, Ibaraki, or to varied locations in Mie prefecture.
The place can I see plum blossoms in Kyoto?
There are literally thousands of plum bushes in Kyoto, however the perfect place to see ume is at Kitano Tenman-gu within the northern a part of town close to Kinkaku-ji temple. You’ll discover numerous bushes right here, and and so they’re brightly coloured as nicely, which contrasts fantastically with the vermillion of the primary shrine construction.
Are plum blossoms and sakura the identical?
Plum blossoms and sakura are each lovely, however that’s the place the similarities finish. Whereas cherry blossoms (a minimum of the long-lasting somei yoshino) are whitish-pink and delicate in form, plum blossoms are typically vibrant pink and even fuchsia, and have a spiky form that may nearly be described as harsh. Furthemrore, plum blossoms bloom a couple of month sooner than cherry blossoms.
The Backside Line
Whereas plum blossoms in Japan will not be as fashionable as cherry blossoms, they’re very widespread, and in some ways are simpler (and, at a minimal, much less disturbing) to see. They bloom at occasions when Japan shouldn’t be usually crowded; lots of the prime ume locations in Japan are far off the vacationer path, in locations like Mie and Ibaraki. However, as a result of Japanese plum bushes aren’t monitored as fastidiously as cherry bushes, predicting blooming dates is much less exact a science, which means that you need to have minimal (if any) expectations. Effectively, aside from the truth that for those who rent me to plan your Japan journey, I’ll go away nothing to probability.