The fourteen best places in Tokyo to see plum blossoms in bloom

Posted byJonelle PatrickPosted inJust...Beautiful, Seasonal GoodnessTags:, , , , , ,

The plum trees are going to be at peak bloom this weekend—here are my favorite places to see them!

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YUSHIMA SHRINE

This is one of the most beautiful shrines in Tokyo, and it not only has a ton of plum trees, it has a festival to celebrate them the whole month of February, with monkey shows, taiko performances and food booths on the weekends

Plum blossoms at Yushima Shrine
The Yushima Shrine has gorgeous specimens of some of the most beautiful varieties, including this weeping plum
Plum blossoms at Yushima Shrine
Even the back stairs have a welcoming wall o’plum trees
Plum blossoms at Yushima Shrine
It doesn’t hurt that these are the most beautiful shrine buildings in Tokyo
Plum blossoms at Yushima Shrine
And the grounds become a wonderland of plum blossoms for the entire month of February
Plum blossoms at Yushima Shrine
There’s even an exquisite little garden with a waterfall

Admission: Free

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HAMA-RIKYU TEIEN GARDEN

This garden is one of the most famous in Tokyo for plum trees. 

Plum blossoms at Hama Rikyu Teien
There are lots of them planted together…
Plum blossoms at Hama Rikyu Teien
…so they’re nearly as spectacular as cherry trees when they’re all in bloom
Plum blossoms at Hama Rikyu Teien
There are a few rare ones that bloom both pink and white on the same tree
Plum blossoms at Hama Rikyu Teien
As a bonus, they’ve planted a sea of yellow flowers behind the earliest-blooming trees, and it’s a favorite place for wedding photography, so you might see some brides in kimono while you’re there.
Plum blossoms at Hama Rikyu Teien
And don’t be deterred if it’s raining – I think the plum blossoms are at their most beautiful in the rain! (And you’ll have the garden to yourself, too!)

Admission: ¥300

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And since it’s practically right next door, don’t miss the…

KYU SHIBA RIKYU GARDEN

This is a small but exquisite formal garden, and although the plum grove isn’t large, the varieties are very beautiful.

Plum blossoms at Kyu Shiba Rikyu Teien
The trees are planted close together for maximum flowery effect against the green of the stroll garden…
Plum blossoms at Kyu Shiba Rikyu Teien
…and this garden has s number of the trees that bloom both pink and white on the same branch!
Plum blossoms at Kyu Shiba Rikyu Teien

Admission: ¥150

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KAMEIDO TENJIN SHRINE

This temple is famous for wisteria, but it turns out they have a killer plum tree collection too.

Plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin
There are many fine varieties blooming during the month of February, with the shrine’s signature red bridges in the background
Plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin
The Kameido Shrine’s red arched bridges have been featured in many famous woodblock prints
Plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin
Any shrine that has “Tenjin” or “Tenmangu” as part of its name has a collection of plum trees, and often there is a red one and a white one flanking the entrance to the sanctuary.
Plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin
If you are a Skytree fan, it features in nearly every view at this shrine
Plum blossoms at Kameido Tenjin
Paths between the red bridges criss-cross the grounds between stone lanterns, plum trees and wisteria arbors

Admission: Free

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OKURAYAMA PARK

This park is a bit of a schlep in the Yokohama direction, but it’s well worth it in plum blossom season because an entire valley is dedicated to plum trees. I like this one better than Hanegi Park (which is much better known) because it’s more of a landscape and easier to take nice photos

Plum blossoms at Okurayama Park
There are many different kinds, including an unusually high percentage of pink and red ones
Plum blossoms at Okurayama Park
Gentle pathways wend their way between the trees
Plum blossoms at Okurayama Park
Including some spectacular specimens, like this pink weeping plum
Plum blossoms at Okurayama Park
Even more amazing up close
Plum blossoms at Okurayama Park
The bank of mixed pink and white trees near the entrance is expecially nice

Admission: Free

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JINDAI BOTANICAL GARDEN

This fabulous botanical garden is about a 10 minute bus ride (or a pleasant 25 minute walk) from Chofu Station, and it’s well worth the trip! Bonus attraction: it’s bordered by the Jindai-ji temple, with an old-fashioned shopping street featuring lots of soba noodle restaurants.

Plum blossoms at Jindai Botanical Garden
This gorgeous botanical garden has a really nice grove of plum trees
Plum blossoms at Jindai Botanical Garden
Plum trees aren’t always particularly pretty, but look at this shapely beauty!
Plum blossoms at Jindai Botanical Garden
There are some varieties at Jindai-ji I haven’t seen elsewhere, like these variegated pretties

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IKEGAMI HONMONJI BAIEN

Ikegami Honmonji temple has an entire garden dedicated to plum trees, with nice thatch-roofed teahouses situated among them.

Plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji Baien
This hillside garden at Ikegami Honmonji temple is all plums, and even though it’s not a huge garden, when they bloom, it’s glorious
Plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji Baien
There are many beautiful varieties…
Plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji Baien
…including unusual specimens that have more than one color of flower on the same plant
Plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji Baien
The weeping ones are especially nice
Plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji Baien
But even the ordinary trees are lovely

Admission: ¥100

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Those are my favorites, but there are other great places to see plum blossoms in Tokyo, and these are well worth visiting if you’re nearby:

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ARISUGAWA PARK

Tucked away in Hiroo, on the highest hill in this jewel of a park, is a lovely circle of plum trees. It’s a nice place to rest and enjoy.

Plum blossoms at Arisugawa Park

Admission: Free

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GOTOKU-JI TEMPLE

This temple also has a shrine with a boatload of lucky cat figures & an awesome wooden pagoda.

Plum blossoms at Gotokji
Plum blossoms at Gotokji

Admission: Free

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HANEGI PARK

This isn’t a very scenic garden – more of a hill planted with hundreds of plum trees – but it awes by sheer volume and variety. And it’s about a three minute walk from the train station so: no excuses

Plum blossoms at Hanegi Park
Plum blossoms at Hanegi Park
Plum blossoms at Hanegi Park

Admission: Free

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KITANO SHRINE

This is a small shrine near Koraku-en, but it’s really glorious in plum blossom season. As a bonus, it has a cow-shaped rack for tying your unwanted fortunes to.

Plum blossoms at Kitano Shrine
Plum blossoms at Kitano Shrine

Admission: Free

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KORAKUEN GARDEN

The plum grove at my favorite Tokyo garden blooms early and often. Lots of different kinds, plus the rest of the garden is beautiful too.

Plum blossoms at Korakuen Garden

Admission: ¥300

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NISHIARAI DAISHI TEMPLE

If you’re lucky, the very early-blooming cherry tree will be dressed in pink at the same time!

Plum blossoms at Nishiarai Daishi
Plum blossoms at Nishiarai Daishi

Admission: Free

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SHINJUKU GYOUEN GARDEN

There’s a grove of many different kinds of plum trees in the traditional Japanese garden area, by the tea house. Any time of year, Shinjuku Gyouen never disappoints.

Plum blossoms at Shinjuku Gyouen
Plum blossoms at Shinjuku Gyouen
Plum blossoms at Shinjuku Gyouen

Admission: ¥500

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If you loved hearing about where to see plum blossoms in Tokyo, subscribe to Japanagram for the scoop on great things to see in the rest of Japan.

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Published by Jonelle Patrick

Writes all the Japan things.

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