A feast of blossoms in full bloom—2015 Japan Plum Blossom Viewing Guide
Last updated 2026-09-25 — Spring is the season when flowers burst into bloom. When it comes to flower viewing in Japan, many people think of cherry blossoms, but actually, the Japanese also admire plum blossoms before the cherry blossom season arrives. Like cherry blossoms, the plum blossom season also moves from south to north...
By the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
Spring is the season when flowers burst into bloom. When it comes to flower viewing in Japan, many people think of cherry blossoms, but actually, the Japanese also admire plum blossoms before the cherry blossom season arrives. Like cherry blossoms, the plum blossom season also moves from south to north—that is, Kyushu blooms earlier while Hokkaido blooms later—with famous plum blossom spots across the country. Plum blossoms bloom earlier than cherry blossoms and are among the first flowers of the year to appear. The earliest blooming plum blossoms can be found at Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the plum blossom season typically runs from late January to mid-February. Atami Plum Garden is also one of the earliest places in Japan to see cherry blossoms, which generally bloom from early January to around February. During this period, you can enjoy both plum and cherry blossoms simultaneously.
Spring is the season when flowers burst into bloom. When it comes to flower viewing in Japan, many people think of cherry blossoms, but actually, the Japanese also admire plum blossoms before the cherry blossom season arrives. Like cherry blossoms, the plum blossom season also moves from south to north—that is, Kyushu blooms earlier while Hokkaido blooms later—with famous plum blossom spots across the country. Plum blossoms bloom earlier than cherry blossoms and are among the first flowers of the year to appear. The earliest blooming plum blossoms can be found at Atami Plum Garden in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the plum blossom season typically runs from late January to mid-February. Atami Plum Garden is also one of the earliest places in Japan to see cherry blossoms, which generally bloom from early January to around February. During this period, you can enjoy both plum and cherry blossoms simultaneously.
Red and white plum blossoms herald the arrival of spring in Sapporo, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature comfortably in the spacious garden. (Photo source: Official Sapporo Tourism Website)
● [Fukuoka Prefecture] Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the deity of scholarship. Devotees come year-round to pray for success in exams and academic achievements. As the famous “Flying Plum Legend” goes, about 6,000 plum trees on the shrine grounds create a breathtaking sight from early February to mid-March. The plum trees at Dazaifu were donated as offerings to the deities from all over Japan—200 varieties in total, each with their own blooming period.
Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the deity of scholarship. Devotees come year-round to pray for success in exams and academic achievements. As the famous “Flying Plum Legend” goes, about 6,000 plum trees on the shrine grounds create a breathtaking sight from early February to mid-March. The plum trees at Dazaifu were donated as offerings to the deities from all over Japan—200 varieties in total, each with their own blooming period.
The vibrant pink of the plum blossoms stands out against the azure blue sky. (Photo source: JNTO)
[Info]
Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Address: 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Plum Blossom Viewing Period: Early February – Early March
● [Hiroshima Prefecture] Shukkeien Garden
● [Hiroshima Prefecture] Shukkeien Garden
Shukkeien Garden was commissioned in the second year after the Hiroshima clan lord Asano Nagaakira entered Hiroshima Castle (1620), by his senior retainer and famed tea master Ueda Soko. Prior to this, the designer had already earned acclaim for gardens such as those in Nagoya Castle’s Ninomaru, Tokushima Castle’s Omote Goten, and Wakayama Castle’s Nishinomaru. Emphasizing scenic perspectives, Shukkeien exhibits a stable style distinct from other gardens. In subsequent years, successive lords invited various gardeners to make subtle modifications. It wasn’t until the ninth lord, Asano Shigeakira (1788), commissioned Kyoto gardener Shimizu Shichiroemon to redesign it in a similar style that the garden evolved from its original two small islands into what it is today. It is said that the name “Shukkeien,” meaning “Shrunk-Scenery Garden,” comes from its design being modeled after China’s West Lake in Hangzhou, bringing together numerous distinctive and beautiful scenes—like a condensed collection of scenic beauty.
[Info]
[Info]
Address: 2-11 Kamitori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Plum Blossom Viewing Period: Mid-January – Mid-February
● [Yamaguchi Prefecture] Hofu Tenmangu Shrine
Hofu Tenmangu Shrine, located in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, enshrines Sugawara no Michizane as the deity of scholarship. Said to be one of Japan’s Three Great Tenmangu Shrines alongside Kyoto’s Kitano Tenmangu and Fukuoka’s Dazaifu Tenmangu, it is a renowned flower-viewing destination. Early spring sees the shrine adorned with plum blossoms, and in April, cherry blossoms bloom on Tenjin Mountain, evoking the splendor of the Heian era.
[Info]
Address: 14-1 Matsuzaki-cho, Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Plum Blossom Viewing Period: Late January – Late February
● [Osaka Prefecture] Osaka Castle Park
In 1972, Osaka Prefectural Kitano High School donated 880 plum trees of 22 varieties to Osaka Castle Park to celebrate its 100th anniversary. After cultivation, the park opened in March 1974. More plum trees have been added since then, and now there are 1,240 trees of 97 varieties.
In 1972, Osaka Prefectural Kitano High School donated 880 plum trees of 22 varieties to Osaka Castle Park to celebrate its 100th anniversary. After cultivation, the park opened in March 1974. More plum trees have been added since then, and now there are 1,240 trees of 97 varieties.
Osaka Castle Park is filled with plum blossoms. (Photo source: osakapark)
[Info]
Address: Osaka Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Plum Blossom Viewing Period: Mid-February – Early March
● [Kyoto Prefecture] Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
● [Kyoto Prefecture] Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, a highly principled scholar and literary figure of the Heian period, revered as the deity of scholarship. It is Kyoto’s most famous plum blossom viewing spot, with over 2,000 plum trees in its plum grove. When they are in full bloom in late February, the sight is breathtaking—even Toyotomi Hideyoshi was left in awe.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in full bloom, with clusters of plum blossoms. (Photo source: japantravel)
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