Uploaded June 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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See more beautiful plum blossoms at our website:
discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/march/plum-blossoms

Though Japan may be famous for its cherry blossoms, those knowledgeable about their greenery are aware that there are actually many more flowering trees and plants that are popular for seasonal viewing nationwide.

The precursor to the blooming of sakura, ume (plum trees) were introduced from China hundreds of years ago and come in shades from pure white to dark pink. Plums are a popular food in Japanese cuisine, and you will find them in many forms from your tea to pickles in the center of your rice balls. In addition, plum trees were thought to ward off danger, and it was once common to plant them in the northeast corner of gardens, that direction being considered most susceptible to misfortune.

Plum blossoms may be difficult to distinguish from cherry and peach to the untrained eye, and similar to those other flowering trees they have a somewhat short lifespan. Still, plum trees bloom slightly longer and are usually visible from the colder month of February down through March. Events such as plum viewings and tea ceremonies are also held around this time. If you’re in Kyoto during this season, be sure to keep your eye out for these cheerful flowers blooming despite the chill in the air.