Plum Blossoms

Shibuya246 · 21 March 2013 · 1 min read · 3,439 views · 1 comment · Good to know ↓

Some very nice plum blossoms our in Kyoto ahead of the more famous sakura season to follow

Good to know

Plum Blossoms in Kyoto: good to know

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027

Added by Shibuya246, separate from the original post above. Facts are checked every quarter against the sources below.

What it is: Ume (plum) trees flower weeks before the cherry blossoms. They are closely linked to Tenmangu shrines, which honour the scholar Sugawara no Michizane.
When: On Honshu, including Kyoto, the season usually peaks from late February to mid-March.
Where to see it: Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto has over 1,500 plum trees of about 50 varieties. In 2026 its plum garden opened 9:00-20:00 with a 3,000 yen ticket that included tea and a sweet. Take City Bus 50 or 101 from Kyoto Station to Kitano Tenmangu-mae.
Tip: On 25 February the shrine holds Baikasai. Geiko and maiko from Kamishichiken serve tea outdoors among the blossoms from 10:00 to 15:00, and a ticket costs 1,500 yen.

Best time

Peak late February to mid-March in Kyoto

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