Must-Visit Kyoto! Spectacular Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots with Blooming Weeping Plum Trees

A Premier Large Plum Grove in Kyoto – At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, You Can See Weeping Plum Trees Showering in Pink

There are many spring flowers including cherry blossoms in Japan, among them, the plum is a sign of spring, which starts blooming at the end of February. Some varieties of plum trees continue to bloom until the cherry blossoms start blooming, allowing for a longer period to appreciate their beauty. This time, we’re going to introduce the popular ume blossom spots in Kyoto. Enjoy pink plum blossoms make you warm feeling, as if surrounded by the spring atmosphere.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天満宮) is the headquarters of approximately 12,0000 Tenmangu Shrines and Tenjin Shrines nationwide. The shrine is enshrined Sugawara no Michizane known as a god of learning. He is said to have loved the Ume blossom trees very much, and many of them are planted in the precinct. Baien (Ume Blossom Garden) is opened the early February every year. There are many Ume viewing spots everywhere, allowing you to appreciate the Plum blossom while taking a walk. One of the photogenic things is the sight of weeping plums like pink showers which reflect on the water’s face. Enjoy the beauty of weeping plums, including both red and white plums, which are in full bloom at the moment. In addition, an illumination event is scheduled for every weekend from the end of February to the middle of March. Experience the fantastic Ume scenery during this time of year.

The illumination period: February 23rd – March 17th (only weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) *It will light up when getting dark

Opening Hours	February 1st – end of the March 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Address	Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Bankuro-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	From Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: Just a walk away from Kitano Tenmangu-mae Bus stop which is a 23-minute ride away from Kawaramachi Sanjo Bus stop on the City Bus No.51 or No.10
URL	https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/en/

Indulge the Weeping Plum Trees and Fallen Camellia, Known Nationwide as a Must-See Spectacular Plum Scenery – Jounangu Shrine

Jonangu Shrine (城南宮) was built as a guardian south of Kyoto when the capital was relocated to Heian. Because a retired emperor had set up an imperial villa for a while, the elegant aristocratic culture of the Heian period took root. The garden on the grounds is also stunning, and the garden, which is named The Tale of Genji Flower Garden, will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time to the Heian period. This season, the shrine held its annual event, ‘Weeping Plum Trees and Fallen Camellia Festival’, and Baien is popular for its stunning colored weeping plum trees. In particular, the Falling Camellia where a crimson camellia falls on green moss, and the ‘Weeping Plum and Falling Camllia’, a combination of a bright pink weeping plum in the background, are attractive attention as spectacular views that you must see at least once. When the plum blossoms fall, the whole area is covered with a pink carpet, creating a completely different scenery. We recommend visiting during different seasons

Opening Houres	Weeping plums and camellia festival February 18th – 22th March 9:00 AM – 4:30PM
Address	7 Nakajima Tobari-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	From Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: An 18 min. walk from Takeda Station which is transfer to Karasumaoike Station on the Subway Karasuma Line, after getting on Kyotoshiyakusyo-mae on the Subway Tozai Line
URL	https://www.jonangu.com/english.html

The Weeping Plum Trees Hanging Like a Photo Frame on the Five-storied Pagoda, Offering Perfect Views of To-ji Temple

To-ji Temple (東寺) is registered as a World Heritage site as the cultural property of the ancient capital of Kyoto. The five-storied pagoda within the temple grounds is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan and is also known as a Kyoto landmark. Toji Temple has a reputation as a cherry blossom viewing spot and is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, and you can enjoy to appreciate the plum blossom before the cherry blossoms. There may not be many plum trees in the plum garden on the grounds, but the main highlight is the majestic and beautiful weeping plum trees. Enjoy the charming scenery of Kyoto, which is a little bit different from the typical plum garden.

Opening Hours	5:00AM – 5:00PM
Address	1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefectute
Access	Just a walk away from Toji Higashimon-mae which is a 23-minute ride away from Shijo-kawaramachi o the City Bus No.207
URL	https://toji.or.jp/en/index.html