All of February (and a little of March) is the best time to see fluffy pink and white and red beauties bursting like popcorn all over Tokyo. Here are the best places to see them, in order of when they bloom:
Note: These photos were all taken from 2014-2016, so depending on how warm or cold the winter has been, peak blooming can happen earlier or later by a week or so. Each plum tree blooms for about ten days, so gardens with many varieties have something to see (and take pictures of) for about three weeks around the dates these were taken.
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End of January:
Kameido Tenjin Shrine near Kameido Station
Photo taken on Jan 22 • This temple has many interesting varieties of plum trees, and they bloom into the middle of February. The main shrine building is lovely, and is flanked by a venerable white plum on one side and a red plum on the other
Photo taken on Jan 23 • This garden has a nice grove of various kinds of plum trees and is one of the earliest places they bloom. Bonus: the rest of the garden is one of the most beautiful strolls in Tokyo
Photo taken on Feb 6 • This temple has some very nice plum tree specimens of various colors. Bonus: There is a truly eye-popping early blooming cherry tree here that’s in flower at the same time as the plums and also a wart-curing shrine.
Photo taken on Jan 23 • This magnificent garden doesn’t have a lot of plum trees, but the the varieties they have are lovely. Bonus: there is a historical pagoda and other traditional buildings set around a large pond, which makes for a really nice walk, even in winter
Photo taken on Feb 9 – There are 650 plum trees of all varieties blooming at this park, and they cycle in and out of bloom for the entire month of February
Photo taken on Feb 10 • This temple doesn’t have a lot of plum trees, but the ones they have are spectacular. Bonus: this temple also has a beautiful wooden pagoda and is home to the lucky cat shrine
Photo taken on Feb 10 • This shrine doesn’t have a huge selection of plum trees, but they are especially beautiful in contrast with the red and gold shrine buildings. Bonus: This is the shrine where all anime and manga artists go to pray for success, and the prayer plaques are always a random showcase of amazing comic book-style art
Photo taken on Feb 10 • This shrine is famous for its many gorgeous plum trees, and holds a Plum Blossom (Ume) Festival every weekend in February and the first weekend in March
Photo taken on Feb 20 • This beautiful little-known garden right next to Hamamatsucho Station has some of the most unusual plum trees in Tokyo. The grove is small, but spectacular when it’s in full bloom. Bonus: The walk around the pond has many classic Japanese garden photo spots
Photo taken on Feb 20 • This garden has a beautiful grove with many varieties of plum trees, which start to bloom earlier than this picture was taken, for pretty much the entire month of February
Photo taken on Mar 5 • There is a small grove of plum trees at this jewel of a park, and all of them are beautiful. A fifteen minute walk from shopping-crazy Roppongi Hills, this garden is a welcome respite from the urban frenzy
Photo taken on Mar 7 • One of the most magnificent (and famous) groves of plum trees in Tokyo. I think this garden is one of the most scenic places to see them. Bonus: The trees nearest the entrance are next to a field of neon yellow flowers, which is a favorite spot for wedding photos. If you’re lucky, you’ll see kimono clad couples along with the plums
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Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
Aloha
Those were gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
Best
Pam
Thank you! It’s such a pleasure to meet other people who love themヽ(*＾ω＾*)ﾉ
Beautiful!
So happy I could bring a little brightness to your day!
Reading Painted Doll. Loving it!
You know how to make me happiest!