27 Famous Plum Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan: Experience Their Beauty and Fragrance!

Hiraoka Park is located in the southeastern part of Sapporo and boasts an expansive area. With five different plazas, including a playground and a grassy field, it is one of the most popular parks in Sapporo. Surrounded by nature, the park is home to a variety of wild birds and insects, offering great opportunities for nature observation.
Known as a famous plum blossom spot, Hiraoka Park’s plum grove, the largest in Sapporo, is home to approximately 1,200 red and white plum trees in full bloom.
During the plum blossom season, the Hiraoka Plum Festival is held, with temporary stalls set up, attracting many flower-viewers every year.
Products inspired by plums, such as plum-flavored soft-serve ice cream, are available for purchase, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious gourmet treats along with the beautiful plum blossoms.

Sobetsu Park is located on an elevated lakeside area on the southeastern side of Lake Toya, renowned for its stunning natural scenery.
From this spot, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Toya, as well as the Showa-shinzan and Mount Usu. On clear days, you can also see Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range, making it one of the best viewpoints around Lake Toya.
The slopes overlooking the lake are home to a plum grove, and during the peak bloom, about 300 plum trees burst into flower all at once.
Since cherry blossoms bloom around the same time as the plums, visitors can enjoy both cherry and plum blossoms simultaneously.
Take in the stunning colors of the blue lake, the green mountains and the beautiful pink hues of the cherry and plum blossoms.

The Karikachi Pass is located on the border between Minami-furano Town and Shintoku Town in Kamikawa District, Hokkaido. Located in the highlands spreading across the foothills, the Karikachi Highland Plum Garden boasts approximately 1,000 bungo plum trees in full bloom. It is rare for plum blossoms to bloom in such a high-altitude, cold-temperature region, earning it the nickname "The Miracle Plum Garden." Enjoy the unique scenery made possible by the elevation, complemented by the collaboration of pink and white plum blossoms.
Be sure to experience the sweet and refreshing fragrance as well.

This ancient temple is said to have been founded in the early 9th century as a Tendai sect temple.
Its full name, including its title, is Shoto Seiryuzan Zuiganempukuzenji, and it is a Zen temple that belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect.
The existing buildings were completed by Date Masamune and are valuable structures that preserve the art of the Momoyama period to this day. Because of their cultural significance, the main hall and the living quarter have been designated as National Treasures.
Within the temple grounds, there is a red and white plum tree (known as Garyū-bai) that is said to have been personally planted by Date Masamune. The red plum tree is planted on the right side of the main hall, and the white plum tree is on the left. Both trees are double-flowered varieties, and because they bear 7 to 8 plums clustered together, they are also known by the nickname Garyū Yatsufusa (eight clusters).
The peak blooming period is typically from late March to early April.

Located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Ogawara Town is famous for the cherry blossom spot Shiroishi Riverside Hitome Senbonzakura (One Thousand Cherry Trees Along the Shiroishi River), but it is also known as a historic "Plum Blossom Village."
The Tsutsumi Ume Danchi in Ogawara Town is home to over 3,000 plum trees of various varieties planted across a vast area.
When in full bloom, white and pale pink plums bloom across the expansive grounds.
However, as the Tsutsumi Ume Danchi is private property, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the plum blossoms within reasonable boundaries and respect the space.

Located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Yutagawa Onsen has a history of over 1,300 years.
This scenic hot spring resort, designated as a "National Recreation Onsen Area," offers the enjoyment of hot springs with natural flowing spring water.
At the Plum Grove Park in the Yutagawa Onsen area, about 300 red and white plum trees, along with daffodils and peonies, bloom beautifully in spring.
During the Plum Festival held in April, visitors can enjoy local gourmet food from food trucks and specially prepared plum blossom bento from hot spring inns, making the area lively with flower-viewing guests.
Why not visit Yutagawa Onsen to relax and enjoy both the hot springs and the plum blossoms?

This garden was created by the ninth lord of the prestigious Mito domain, Tokugawa Nariaki.
Along with Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Korakuen in Okayama, it is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens.
Spanning approximately 13 hectares, the garden is full of scenic spots.
Upon entering through the East Gate of the garden, the first sight that comes into view is the Kōbuntei, a two-layer, three-story wooden structure.
The two buildings, one with a shingled roof and the other with a thatched roof, exude a simple yet elegant atmosphere.
In early spring, around 3,000 plum trees of approximately 100 varieties come into full bloom.
The Mito Plum Blossom Festival is held every year from mid-February to late March.

Soga Plum Grove in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, was established during the Muromachi period (1336–1573) as a place for cultivating plums for military provisions.
During the Edo period, the local feudal lord encouraged plum cultivation, and Odawara prospered as a shukuba town (a hub for travelers). As a result, pickled plums remained highly valued across generations.
The beauty of the plum blossoms in Soga Plum Grove transformed it from a site for cultivating edible plums into a scenic destination, inspiring the hosting of a plum festival. Today, the grove is known as a famous plum-viewing spot where visitors can admire the stunning sight of approximately 35,000 plum trees blooming against the backdrop of Mount Fuji and the Hakone mountains. Of course, visitors can still enjoy a variety of plum delicacies, such as pickled plums and plum liquor.

Ogose Plum Grove is located along the Oppe River in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture, an area known for its rich natural beauty. With approximately 1,000 plum trees lining the riverside, the scene offers a glimpse of spring's arrival.
A highlight of the grove is the ancient plum tree "Kaisetsu," estimated to be over 670 years old. The sight of 20,000 beautiful plum trees, including those in the surrounding area, coloring the mountain village is truly a breathtaking spring landscape. Why not take a stroll through the mountain village, filled with the fragrance of plum blossoms, and experience the arrival of spring? The Ogose Plum Grove Festival, held during the plum's peak bloom, features traditional Japanese cultural events such as hayashi music and taiko drumming for visitors to enjoy.

This urban park traces its origins back to 1886 (Meiji 19), when Sōbē Mogi, a high-net-worth individual from Yokohama, established a plum garden.
Spanning approximately 44,000 square meters along the Hatsukawa River, the park is home to 469 plum trees of 60 varieties, including ancient trees over 100 years old. The first plum blossoms bloom between late November and early December, earning the park the distinction of hosting Japan's earliest-blooming plums.
From January to March, the early, mid, and late-blooming plums flower in sequence, with the Atami Plum Garden Festival held from early January to early March.

Around Souri Pond in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, lies a plum grove that is one of the region’s premier spots for plum viewing.
With approximately 5,700 plum trees across 25 varieties, the area is beautifully painted in soft shades of pink and white during the bloom. The "Souri Plum," developed locally, is a representative plum variety of Chita City. Its delicate pink blossoms are particularly noteworthy and not to be missed.
From late February to early March, the grove is illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere distinct from its daytime charm. Visitors can also enjoy the unique pairing of blooming plums and canola flowers, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.

Toyooka Plum Garden is located in Iwata City in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture.
With 3,000 plum trees blooming across its vast grounds, the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of plums. The garden is mainly adorned with white plums, complemented by double-flowered and soft pink-red plums, creating a picturesque spring scene.
There are walking paths throughout the garden, allowing visitors to take their time and fully enjoy the beauty of the plums that herald the arrival of spring.

The "Gōnō no Yakata Uchiyama-tei" in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, is a luxurious residence and garden built in the late Edo period by a wealthy farming family.
As the Edo-era building has been preserved, visitors can experience the lifestyle and culture of that time. The expansive garden, filled with various thoughtful designs, includes a plum garden on its eastern side.
The plum garden features about 60 red and white plum trees. During the peak bloom season, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of the plums in full bloom against the backdrop of the snow-covered Tateyama Mountain Range, evoking the early arrival of spring.

Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, is a strolling garden (kaiyū-shiki) that was created over nearly 180 years by the successive lords of the Maeda family of the Kaga domain.
Unlike the “seated-view” gardens, which are viewed from a single spot such as a sitting room or study in a palace, a kaiyū-shiki garden is designed to be enjoyed by strolling through the entire grounds. Spanning about 34,600 tsubo (approximately 114,000 square meters), the garden features ponds, winding streams and artificial hills, arranged in such a way that you can enjoy the entire garden by visiting various points.
While Kenroku-en is known for its seasonal beauty, during early spring, about 200 famous plum trees from across the country bloom in red and white.

Located in the heart of Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, this park is one of Japan's foremost moat parks and is designated as a National Historical Park.
The park was developed on the site of the former Takaoka Castle, and the original stone walls from the castle’s construction period are still preserved.
The expansive grounds, surrounded by three moats, are home to various facilities, including a shrine, museum, zoo and restaurant.
In one corner of the park, there is a plum grove where about 50 trees of 12 different varieties bloom in splendor.
The early-blooming plums begin to flower in January, and by late February, a mix of red, white and soft pink blossoms fills the air.
A notable feature is the "Yae-kobai" plum tree, which is over 400 years old and planted at the Imizu Shrine within the park. This sacred tree is truly a sight to behold.
Since ancient times, the strong fragrance of plum blossoms has been believed to ward off evil spirits, and visitors can purchase charms infused with the scent of plums at the shrine.

Osaka Castle Park is an urban park developed around the nationally designated Special Historic Site, the Osaka Castle Ruins. The vast 105.6-hectare grounds feature numerous Important Cultural Properties, including the Osaka Castle Main Tower and 13 other buildings such as turrets and gates built from the early to late Edo period. While the park is well known as a famous cherry blossom spot, it also has a plum grove and is actually a renowned plum blossom site.
The park’s plum grove, spanning about 1.7 hectares, is home to approximately 1,270 plum trees of 104 varieties. From January to March, the red and white plum blossoms bloom spectacularly against the backdrop of Osaka Castle, creating an unforgettable spring vista.

Ayabe Mountain Plum Grove is located in the southwestern part of Hyogo Prefecture.
At the vast Ayabe Mountain Hill, the breathtaking view below includes islands such as Shodo Island and Awaji Island floating in the Seto Inland Sea, and on clear days, you can even see Shikoku. What enhances this stunning landscape are the approximately 8,000 plum trees. Enjoy the spring scenery, said to be the best in western Japan, in a plum grove with a view of plum blossoms, while feeling the pleasant early spring breeze and the fragrance of the white plums.

Located in the southwestern part of Nara Prefecture, Gojo City is one of the region's most famous plum blossom spots.
Approximately 20,000 plum trees blanket the hillside, stretching from the middle to the foot of the hill. The area has been cherished as a plum blossom destination for centuries, with nobles from the Nanboku-chō period (1336–1392) even composing poems about the plums of this land over 700 years ago.
As you gaze at the plum blossoms spread out like a sea of clouds, you can imagine that people from the past also enjoyed the same view, allowing you to not only appreciate the beauty but also feel the historical atmosphere.

Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, known for its preserved Edo-era castle town and historical landmarks associated with notable figures such as Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku, is a city rich in history.
In 1992, to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Yoshida Shoin’s birth, the Hagi Ōkan Plum Garden was opened.
The garden is home to about 350 plum trees of 13 different varieties, blooming in a colorful display. It is well-known as a plum blossom destination. Early-blooming plums start to flower in late January, and the later-blooming varieties can be enjoyed until mid-March.
One of the key attractions of the Hagi Ōkan Plum Garden is the long period during which visitors can enjoy a variety of plums in full bloom.

The Mancho Plum Grove, primarily a plum orchard for fruit production, has become a renowned plum blossom destination due to its stunning scenery.
Located on Komoguchi Mountain in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, at an elevation of 200 meters, it is sometimes referred to as the "Sky Plum Grove."
From the observation deck within the grove, visitors can enjoy the fragrant air while admiring the breathtaking sight of delicate white plums blooming across the mountainside.
With well-maintained walking paths, it's an ideal spot to leisurely appreciate the plums while listening to the songs of wild birds. During the Mancho Plum Blossom Festival, visitors can purchase snacks and products made from plums.

This daimyō garden, commissioned by Ikeda Tsunamasa, the feudal lord of Okayama, as a place of tranquility, was completed in 1700 in its initial form.
During Tsunamasa's time, the garden was designed for enjoying the view from the rooms within the garden, but over time, influenced by changing social conditions and the preferences of each successive lord, the garden's layout evolved. Waterways and ponds were added, gradually increasing the garden's walkability.
The Enyo-tei, which served as the lord's sitting room, is the most important building in the garden and was designed to offer an expansive view of the landscape.
The garden is home to around 100 red and white plum trees. In early spring, visitors can enjoy the beautiful garden and the elegantly blooming plums, creating a refined and picturesque scene.
At the shop, visitors can purchase items such as jam, plum liquor and preserved plums made from green plums harvested from the plum grove.

Ritsurin Garden, originally the private residence of the Matsudaira family, lords of the Takamatsu domain, was completed nearly 300 years ago after several renovations by successive feudal lords. The garden area spans 16 hectares and is already massive, but when including the backdrop of Shiun Mountain, the total area extends to about 75 hectares. It is the largest Cultural Property Garden in Japan among those designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty by the government.
There are about 150 plum trees in total, including the northern and southern plum groves within the park, and in spring, beautiful red and white plums bloom.
Other areas of the garden also feature plums, so strolling through the park will offer a strong sense of spring's atmosphere. During the peak blooming season, the Plum Blossom Festival is held, where visitors can enjoy not only the blossoms but also traditional Japanese performing arts.

The Nanaore Plum Grove in the Nanaore district of Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture, stretches across a gentle hill. This renowned plum blossom spot boasts around 30 varieties and 16,000 plum trees, decorating the mountain.
The soft red and white plums bloom vibrantly across the mountain, and the sweet sound of Japanese bush warblers fills the air, evoking a sense of spring tranquility.
The Nanaori Plum Festival, held to coincide with the peak of the plum blossoms, offers products and gourmet food related to plums. It's also recommended to enjoy a picnic with your own lunch or gourmet food purchased on-site while admiring the plums.

Agawa Ume no Sato in Tokushima Prefecture is famous as a plum production area. Spanning the mountainside, around 16,000 plum trees bloom, creating a serene landscape that signals the arrival of spring.
You can enjoy four varieties of plum blossoms, including the Ou-shuku variety, as well as Nanko-bai, Rinshu and Shirakaga. Each variety has a different color and fragrance, so enjoy them while taking a stroll.
During the annual Agawa Ume no Sato Plum Festival, there are exciting events like rice cake throwing, plum pit spitting contests and sales of local specialties, making the area lively with visitors.

This is the head shrine of the 12,000 Tenjin shrines nationwide, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who, though innocent, was demoted from Kyoto to Dazaifu and passed away here. The main hall is built above his tomb. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1591 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
A highlight in early spring is the stunning sight of about 200 varieties and 6,000 plum trees, both white and red, in full bloom. The historical main hall and the surrounding plum blossoms create a spectacular scene that should not be missed. With so many varieties, visitors can enjoy a long period of beautiful plum blossoms, from early-blooming to late-blooming types.

Tanigawa Plum Grove is known as one of the "Three Famous Plum Gardens" of Kyushu. On the expansive slopes, around 20,000 white plum trees bloom in full splendor, creating a breathtaking view. During the plum blossom season, around late February, the "Yume Tachibana Plum Viewing Festival" is held, featuring various events such as traditional Japanese performances and a magical space created with about 3,000 bamboo poles. Since Tanigawa Plum Grove is a private property of the producers, access is restricted except during the festival, so visitors should be mindful of it.

Okinawa Prefecture, located at the southernmost point of Japan, has few famous plum blossom spots. If you want to see plums in Okinawa, visit the plum-lined road in a village known as a "large wetland." On both sides of the path cutting through a natural landscape reminiscent of a tropical region, around 100 plum trees are in full bloom. The sight of pale white plums blooming amid the deep green of Okinawa’s trees evokes a sense of fragility, something unexpected in a tropical setting. Spring arrives earlier in Okinawa than on the main island of Japan, with plums starting to bloom as early as early January, so be mindful of the timing.