Today I love to recommend a place in Tokyo which is Yushima Tenjin Shrine. Spring in Japan isn't just about enjoying the cherry blossoms, spring begins with the beautiful fragrance of plum blossoms, and you can witness the ume matsuri, or plum festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine. It is near the Ueno park area and this festival usually held in 1st week of March. Ume lasts much longer than sakura, so its beauty can be enjoyed for a long time. Around 300 plum blossom trees are spread over the temple premises which are visited by many visitors every day. Besides, during this festival, various cultural events are held on the temple ground during the holidays.

Today I visited Tsukigase Plum Grove in Tsukigase, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. The plum trees were about three to five percent in bloom.

Expo Memorial Park Plum Festival Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Schedule: From Saturday, February 7, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2026 ※Closed on Wednesdays ※Open on Wednesday, February 11 (a national holiday); closed the following weekday, Thursday, February 12, as a substitute holiday Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.) Venue: Natural and Cultural Garden Umebayashi, Japanese-style garden Umebayashi, and other locations The Umebayashi in the Natural and Cultural Garden spans about 5,500 square meters and features approximately 120 varieties and 600 plum trees, while the Umebayashi in the Japanese-style garden contains about 40 varieties and 80 trees, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a wide range of plum blossoms.

Photographed on March 1: The ume plum trees at Atami Plum Garden are still in full bloom! Atami Plum Garden Ume Album https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/46...

Photographed on February 27: The plums at Atami Plum Garden are still largely in full bloom! Atami Plum Garden Plum Album https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/46... The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355...

Photos taken on February 23 and 24: the plum blossoms at Atami Plum Garden are at their best. The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355...

Plum blossoms at Atami Plum Garden Early- and mid-blooming varieties are opening, and the whole garden has reached its peak viewing period! https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355...

Ume Plum Festival is held in at Dōmyoji Tenmangu Shrine Dōmyoji Tenmangu Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara Michishinko, known as the god of learning, is also known as a famous Famous plum blossoms. 800 Ume Plum trees of about 80 varieties of red and white are planted in the Precincts of about 10,000 tsubo, and the "Ume Plum Festival" is Held in to coincide with the best time to visit the Ume Plum, and the Ume Plum in full bloom is very beautiful and fragrant Aroma. In addition, during the Ume Plum Festival, various events are held, such as a special Open to the public of Doshin Ko relics (February 15, 16, 22~25, charged), the Bon Ume Plum Exhibition (January 25 ~ March 3), and a mini-guide by the Fujiidera City Tourism Volunteers Association (February 8~28 * except 11th, Other weather changes). During the Ume Plum festival, it would be Squid ♪ to enjoy it along with the Ume Plum 【Basic Information】 Date: 2025 (Reiwa 7)February 8 (Sat) ~ March 12 (Wed) Venue: Dōmyoji Tenmangu Ume Plum Garden Ume Plum Garden Admission Fee: 300 yen for Adults, Free for junior high school students and younger Access: Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line, 3-minute walk from Dōmyoji Station *Use public transportation. For details, check out "Dōmyoji Tenmangu Ume Plum Festival"! (The photo is taken on 1/31.) The pretty Ume plums were beginning to bloom. ） (Added on February 15) Due to the delay in flowering, the Ume Plum Festival has been postponed to the 21st~.

The poster for the 2025 Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival is complete!! Each year, we select the gold‑prize photograph from the photo contest held during the festival period for the poster image. We hope many people will visit this year’s plum festival, take lots of photos, and make lasting memories of Tsukigase! From the early‑spring Tsukigase Marathon to the Spring Breeze Plum Village Friendship Festival and sencha tea festival at Romantopia Tsukigase, plus a haiku competition and Nara‑zome textile exhibition, the event lineup is packed with activities!! At the tea houses that open only during the festival, you can enjoy Tsukigase specialties you’ll find nowhere else: Tsukigase hot pot, country udon, wild boar hot pot, plum soft serve, charcoal‑grilled kusa‑mochi, plum roll cakes, and more! May many smiles bloom again this year! All members of the Tsukigase Tourism Association are working hard to prepare and look forward to your visit!

As of January 23, the plums at Atami Plum Garden and the Atami cherry blossoms along the Itogawa Promenade are blooming much later than usual... Both are less than 10% in bloom overall. They are more than a week behind the typical schedule. Please wait a little longer for peak bloom. The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival: January 11–March 2 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355... The 15th Atami Sakura Itogawa Cherry Blossom Festival: January 11–February 9 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208...