Japan's Plum Blossoms Offer Early Spring Views
Travelers in Japan are enjoying early blooms as plum blossoms have begun to appear in Mie Prefecture and Tokyo. These early flowers offer a less crowded alternative to the country's famous cherry blossom season. Off-the-beaten-path gardens are being recommended for more intimate viewing experiences.
- Plum blossoms, known as *ume* in Japan, typically bloom from mid-February to mid-March, about a month earlier than the more famous cherry blossoms (*sakura*), which appear from late March to early April. - Historically, plum blossoms were more celebrated than cherry blossoms in Japan, particularly during the Nara Period (710-794 AD). They are symbolic of perseverance, renewal, and good fortune, as they bloom in the cold of late winter. - Key visual differences distinguish the two flowers: plum blossoms have round, smooth-edged petals and a strong, sweet fragrance, while cherry blossom petals have a distinct notch at the tip and little to no scent. - In Mie Prefecture, notable viewing sites include the Inabe City Agricultural Park, which boasts one of the largest groves in the region with approximately 4,500 plum trees of 100 different varieties. Another is the Suzuka Forest Garden, known for its 200 magnificent weeping plum trees. - In Tokyo, Hanegi Park in Setagaya ward features around 670 plum trees and hosts an annual festival. The Kyodo no Mori Fuchu City Museum has one of the city's largest groves with over 1,300 trees of 120 varieties set among restored historic buildings. - Many plum groves are found at Tenman-gu shrines, which are dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship, who loved plum blossoms. The Yushima Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo, for example, has about 300 plum trees. - The fruit of the Japanese plum tree, also called *ume*, is known for its sour flavor and is often pickled to make *umeboshi*, a traditional accompaniment to rice, or used to produce a popular liqueur called *umeshu*.
