Plum Blossoms Lit Up At Night
The Yushima Shrine is famous for its plum blossoms, and until the end of February, you can see them lit up at night! Even if you’re a cherry blossom loyalist (in which case I sentence you to visiting all my favorite plum tree gardens and upgrading your flower preferences JUST SAYIN’) it’s a grand opportunity to see this gorgeous wooden shrine glowing against the night sky.
But they do have lovely plum trees, and a festival that’s on every weekend until the end of the month, including monkey shows and such. Here are a few photos to show you how extraordinary the flowers look when lit up at twilight:
The Yushima Shrine is the only place I know of that lights their blossoms at night, but there are plenty of places around Tokyo to feast your eyes on the trees in full bloom and breathe in their heavenly fragrance. My favorite places are here, with maps.
The trees and shrine buildings at the Yushima Shrine are lit up every night until 19:30, through March 8, 2019.
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon
“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick View All
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!
Jonelle Patrick's Only In Japan 
Wow that’s lovely. I have never been to Japan at this time of the year, you are making me rethink about my plans. Haha.
You always find such great temples and shrines, I bet a bunch of them have excellent plum gardens! The Ten-mangu/Tenjin shrines and the Nichiren temples are usually good for a few choice trees. I’m hoping you do come in the winter sometime, because I want to see what you dig up, and read about the historical stuff I always miss, but you seem to winkle out! ^^;;.
Will definitely be there one fine winter. 😁
Those photos are gorgeous!
So utterly cheered by your comment. Thank you!
HI Jonelle, so glad that you captured these blossoms at different stages of light, the results are magical. It’s often these simple things that are far more satisfying and enjoyable rather than big exciting tourist attractions. I will never tire of the nature in Japan 🙂
And they’re so great at making Insta-worthy photo ops here! The flower seasons were always beautiful, but they’re just getting better and better. No matter when you’re here, there’s something great to see!
Thank you Jonelle, yes can’t wait to come there 🙂