The most beautiful places to see the plum blossoms in Japan in spring

1. Akima Umebayashi is a scenic spot in Gunma Prefecture that is famous for growing plums. There are about 35,000 trees planted in a plum garden of 500,000 square meters that stretches across the mountains in the upper reaches of the Akima River. The whole sky is filled with pink and white flowers, faintly sweet plum scent.

2. Kairakuen in Ibaraki Prefecture is where about 3,000 plum trees are grown. Since there are 100 different types of plums, you can enjoy long-lasting plum blossoms.

3. This plum garden is located on the western slopes of Mount Orihime, Tochigi Prefecture, and is open to the public free of charge from late February to mid-March every year. About 1,200 plum trees are grown here. When plum blossoms are in full bloom, the slopes of a valley surrounded by "pink-white clouds" are beautiful.

4. There are 3 plum groves Nakagawara, Hara and Bessho combined in this place. There are many attractions in the area and there is also a walking path connecting them.

5. There are about 300 blooming plum trees in the vast grounds of the Yutagawa onsen. From late March to early May, plum blossoms will bloom continuously and festivals will be held. You can come here to bathe in hot springs and watch plum blossoms bloom.

6. The privately owned Hanamiyama Park, where farmers spend a lot of time growing plums. The best time to see flowers is from the beginning of February to the end of March.

7. Tanigawa Plum Garden is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Kyusu. The plum forest is located on a mountain, there are about 30,000 plum trees that bloom white from mid-February to March.

8. Furouen is one of Yamanashi Prefecture's most famous plum blossom viewing spots, open since 1897. About 30 different types of plums are grown here, the promenade is like a maze, and beyond that there is a The observatory has views of Mount Fuji and the southern Alps.

9. Kenrokuen is one of the three great gardens of Japan. The plum forest here is 3,000m2, with 200 plum trees of 20 different species. Flowers begin to bloom in March every year, usually white plums will bloom first.

10. Toyooka Baien is open from mid-February to early March, this 130,000 square meter park boasts 3,000 white plum trees. Initially, people planted plums for the purpose of producing wine, jam and plum syrup, and then combined with tourism.

11. In the 380,000 square meter Bairin Park, there is a private garden for growing plums and harvesting plums. This is where the majestic Suzuka mountain range can be seen. The local festival usually takes place for 2 weeks after the flowers are in full bloom.

12. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine has about 1,500 plum trees of 50 different species. From the beginning of February to the end of March, the walking path here will be filled with plum blossoms. This place also has a tea and sweets shop that is always busy with customers.

13. Tsukigase Plum Valley is one of the three major plum gardens in Nara, recognized by the Japanese government as a scenic spot for the first time in 1922. The plum grove stretches on both sides of the valley where the Nabari River flows.

14. Okayama Korakuen was once the residence of Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second feudal lord in Okayama 300 years ago. He built a walking garden with a very large area as a residence for himself. There are about 100 plum trees planted on the premises and visitors can come and enjoy the flowers and tea.