Plum blossoms: late February to mid-March
Ume (plum) blossoms are one of the flowers that herald the arrival of spring. Every year, people hold ume festivals throughout Japan to celebrate their blooming. Aodani-Bairin Plum Grove in Joyo City, southern Kyoto Prefecture, boasts many trees across about 20 hectares on the gentle slopes. Ume blossoms can also be found in the surrounding area, and their lovely colors, ranging from pure white to deep pink, soothe the heart with a delicate, sweet fragrance. This area’s ume blossoms appear in poetry of Emperor Godaigo’s son, which tells us that they have been beloved for a very long time.
Access:
About 20 min. on foot from Yamashiro-Aodani Station (JR Nara Line).
Aodani-Bairin Plum Grove
This ume (Japanese plum) grove, sprawling across the gentle hill along the Aodani River, has been a renowned plum blossom viewing spot since olden times. It’s even seen in poetry written by Emperor Go …
