[2024] 14 Plum Blossom Viewing Spots in Kyoto City (Part 1)

The 2024 edition of 14 plum blossom viewing spots in Kyoto City, collect now!

1. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine's Plum Garden [Kamigyo Ward]

2024 best viewing period forecast: Late February to early March

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of Tenmangu, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, who is deeply associated with plum blossoms. About 1,500 plum trees bloom, making it one of Kyoto's renowned spots. In previous years, the best viewing period for cherry blossoms is from late February to mid-March.

Regarding the opening of the 2024 plum garden "Garden":

[Period] February 1 (Thursday) to late March 2024

Light-up: February 23 (Friday) to March 17 (Sunday)

Sunset to 8 PM, only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

2. Jonangu Shrine's Plum Garden [Fushimi Ward]

2024 best viewing forecast: Late February to early March

Famous for its beautiful plum blossoms, Jonangu Shrine is a super stunning spot with 150 weeping plum trees. They usually bloom from early March to mid-March.

Jonangu Shrine Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival

[Period] February 18 (Sunday) to March 22 (Friday) 2024

3. Umenomiya Taisha's Plum Garden [Ukyo Ward]

2024 best viewing forecast: Mid-February to early March

Umenomiya Taisha is one of Kyoto's most famous plum blossom spots, along with Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Jonangu Shrine. It has about 400 plum trees, and the golden branches of the "Kinshibai" (golden branch plum) are a must-see.

They usually bloom from mid-February to mid-March. Umenomiya Taisha is known as the god of Japan's oldest sake brewing. It is also called the Cat Shrine because there are many cats on the grounds.

Blooming period: Early February to mid-March

4. Daikaku-ji [Ukyo Ward]

Best viewing forecast: Mid-February to early March

Daikaku-ji was the residence of Emperor Saga in the Heian period.

In the plum grove on the north side of Osawa Pond, about 150 white plum trees are planted. The best viewing time is generally from mid-March to late March.

Blooming period: Mid to late March

5. Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden's Plum Grove [Sakyo Ward]

2024 best viewing forecast: Mid-February to early March

The Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden covers 24 hectares and has a plum grove of about 150 trees. The best time to view them seems to be from late February to early March each year.

As one of Japan's largest greenhouse botanical gardens, it exhibits about 4,500 plant species, making it an irresistible spot for plant lovers.

Blooming period: Mid-February to late March

6. Shimogamo Shrine's Plum Blossoms [Sakyo Ward]

2024 best viewing forecast: Mid-February to late February

Shimogamo Shrine represents Kyoto. There are few plum trees, but here you can feel the romance of plums, as they are the model for the "Red and White Plum Blossom Screen (National Treasure)" painted by Ogata Korin, who was active in the Edo period.

Blooming period: Early February to early March

7. Takaragaike Park's Plum Grove Garden [Sakyo Ward]

2024 forecast: Mid-February to early March

In the plum grove garden on the south side of the pond, about 200 red and white plum trees are planted, and the symbolic view of Takaragaike Pond is very beautiful. The best viewing time seems to be from late February to mid-March each year.

The park has abundant playground equipment, so it gets very crowded with families with children on weekends.

To be continued!!!