Plum blossoms near
Kiyomizu-dera, Kyōto-shi in Japan | Image credit: Rena/Unsplash
Symbolising the return of the spring season, travellers often flock to Asia to catch a glimpse of the bursts of pink and white cherry blossoms. But few know about the equally heavenly sight of plum blossoms that first bloom in Japan as early as February, carpeting park landscapes in muted pastels. While the Sakura season in the ‘land of the rising sun’ is well-known, plum blossom (known as ume) viewing and festivals offer a crowd-less alternative, allowing travellers to linger a little and take in the sights and history of the flower’s significance.
One such event is the Kairakuen’s Ume The Lights (also known as Mito Plum Blossom Festival or Mito Ume Matsuri), a festival in Ibaraki Prefecture’s Mito city, where you can currently walk through gardens with around 3,000 plum trees in over 100 varieties. During the weekends and holidays from 6 pm to 8:30 pm until March 9, the trees in the Kairakuen garden are illuminated with decorative lights, and tourists will find themselves surrounded by flower-viewing parties.
Also, read our seasonal guide to the best time to visit Japan.
‘Ume The Lights’ is Japan’s most popular plum blossom festival
2/11(火・祝)から、第129回 #水戸の梅まつり が始まります🌸
夜・梅・祭、全国梅酒まつり、そして新たなライトアップイベントなど、夜までお楽しみいただけます！
梅の開花情報などもこちらのアカウントで随時お知らせしますので、どうぞお楽しみに☺
詳しくはこちら→https://t.co/mTX6kdjs1D#水戸 pic.twitter.com/uEdsRgawv1
— 水戸観光コンベンション協会【公式】 (@mitokoumon310) January 31, 2025
Other locations in the garden that light up during the time are the Tozai Bairin plum forest and the Moso Bamboo Grove, where a ‘sea of clouds effect’ will be a primary highlight using projection mapping technology. Another photo-attractive sight is the lighting of Mito’s renowned suifu lanterns, which are traditional Japanese paper lanterns made using washi paper and bamboo.
Not only the plum blossoms are a stunner for the eyes, but flavours also take centre stage in steamed buns, sweet bean pastes and even in wines. When in Kairakuen garden, trying the plum wine-tasting sets is a popular tourist experience. Entry to Ume The Lights costs JPY 500 (USD 3.33) for adults and JPY 300 (USD 2) for elementary and middle school students and is free for younger children. Beyond Kairakuen Garden, other plum blossom spots include Hanegi Park in Tokyo, Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto, and Odawara Ume Matsuri. Koishikawa Korakuen and Kyu Shiba Rikyu in Tokyo.
Tickets for the event can be booked on ‘Ume The Lights’ official website.
(Feature image credit: Rena/Unsplash)
Related: These Are The Japanese Convenience Store Snacks That Locals Love
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read Moreand identity. Her reporting has appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, and Hindustan Times, where she spent two years on staff as a correspondent covering travel and culture. She is an alumna of the University of Westminster`s Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. Currently based in Delhi, she grew up in various cities across India and has lived in Amsterdam, and London. Read Less
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