Exploring Plum and Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Gardens: Top Viewing Spots
It is the end of February and we already hit the time of plum blossoms with only one month left until famous cherry blossom season starts!
Today I want to introduce some gardens, which hosts great plum and/ or cherry trees!
The early plum blossoms in Japanese gardens are often underestimated. When the plums start to bloom it is the first sign that winter will soon be over. Only one more month to go!
Plum blossoms in Japanese gardens come in various shades, including pink, white, and even light green.
Plum blossoms have a very fragrant scent, unlike cherry. Another very special sight gives plums in snow. Yes, plums bloom so early that it often snows while they are in full bloom!
Top Japanese Gardens to View Plum and Cherry Blossoms
Kairakuen in Mito
This garden hosts one of the most famous plum blossom spots throughout Japan.
Sankeien in Yokohama
All around the pond and beneath the pagoda are plum trees.
There is a four-week long plum festival every year.
View our Sankeien video on YouTube.
Koishikawa Korakuen in Tokyo
Here we find an orchard with a great variety of plums.
eBook of Koishikawa Korakuen is available here.
Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden Guide
This eBook explores the design and history of Koishikawa Kōrakuen in Tokyo.
Perfect for garden enthusiasts, urban explorers, and cultural travelers.
Discover this peaceful Edo garden nestled beside the bustle of modern Tokyo.
Learn more before you visit—or revisit from home.
Mukojima Hyakkaen in Tokyo
Once hosted over 300 plum trees! Today there are only a few remaining, but is still a nice spot for viewing their flowers.
There is an „Ume matsuri“ festival and they have a flower calendar on their website. Find our eBook here.
Mukōjima-Hyakka-en Garden Guide
This eBook introduces Mukōjima-Hyakka-en in Tokyo, a rare flower garden from the Edo period with plants linked to Japanese poetry and art.
Perfect for literature lovers, seasonal flower fans, and anyone interested in Japan’s living cultural heritage.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Kyu-Furukawa teien in Tokyo
Only a small plum orchard here, but this garden is always worth a visit!
Our eBook is available on Payhip.
Kyū-Furukawa Teien Garden Guide
This eBook introduces Kyū-Furukawa Teien, a historic estate in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, showcasing a Western-style mansion by Josiah Conder and a traditional Japanese garden by Ogawa Jihei.
Perfect for enthusiasts of architectural fusion and serene landscapes.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
There are over 500 trees of plum on the grounds and it is far less crowded that famous plum shrines in Kyoto.
Find our video in Kyoto Gosho on YouTube.
Nijo-jo in Kyoto
On its grounds is a small plum orchard with pink and white flowering plum trees.
Tenryu-ji in Kyoto
There are only two interesting plum trees in Tenryu-ji, but you will see a lot of other flowers as well. You might be lucky to not only enjoy camellia, wintersweet and Japanese quince, but also an early flowering cherry tree!
Ryoan-ji in Kyoto
Around the pond of Ryoan-ji (this temple is not only about the rock garden!) are 80 plum trees, which give a touch of colour here and there.
eBook of Ryoan-ji is available here.
Ryōan-ji Temple Garden Guide
This eBook explores the symbolism, mystery, and design of Ryōan-ji’s iconic rock garden in Kyoto.
Perfect for garden lovers, architects, and students of Zen.
Learn more before you visit—or revisit from home.
Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu
There is a vast plum tree field on the grounds of the Ritsurin Garden where you can take nice photos with the sago palm trees. One more reason to visit this beautiful garden!
Plan your visit to these Japanese gardens during the plum and cherry blossom seasons to experience their full beauty. Feel free to share your garden pictures in the comments!
~ The pictures above do not stand in connection to the mentioned gardens. ~
Cherry Blossoms in February?
Even if you plan to avoid the masses during cherry blossom season and opt for the earlier plum blossoms, you do not need to miss out on Cherry blossoms!
There are a few early flowering varieties!
They can’t be completely compared to the Somei-Yoshino variety that’s flowering late March, but they are still beautiful!
The most famous spot for early sakura is in Atami, not far from Tokyo:
Acao Forest in Atami, Shizuoka prefecture
But you can also find trees in Yokohama
Mitsuike Park, Kanagawa
Close to Mt. Fuji
Nishihirabatake Park, Kanagawa
Or single trees in parks or along roads in Tokyo
Yoyogi Park, at Kyunaka River close to Hirai Station
Read more on plums:
Our eBooks on plants in Japan:
Auspicious Plants in the Japanese Garden
Auspicious Plants in Japanese Gardens explores the meaning and symbolism of “Engi no ii” plants—species traditionally associated with good fortune in Japan. This eBook introduces a variety of plants used in temples, tea gardens, and seasonal rituals, and offers practical advice on adding auspicious plants in Japanese gardens around the world.
Plants in the Japanese Garden Vol. 1
This book introduces essential plants found in traditional gardens and modern cityscapes across Japan. With clear examples and cultural insights, this volume explores why plants like pine, bamboo, and maple appear so often in Japanese outdoor spaces. A practical reference for gardeners and lovers of Japanese aesthetics.
Plants in the Japanese Garden Vol. 2
This book continues the exploration of Japan’s garden plants. This volume focuses on lesser-known speciesthat still play a central role in both urban landscapes and garden design. It’s a useful companion to Volume 1, perfect for anyone studying Japanese garden plant species or working on their own outdoor space.
With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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