Mimuroto-ji Temple, known as one of the most famous flower temples in Kyoto, started to open its weeping ume (Japanese apricot) garden to the public this year. On a hill overlooking the urban area of Uji, approximately 250 trees, including 5-meter-tall Fuji-button and Kureha weeping plum trees, have been planted. Visit this new ume viewing spot where you can enjoy red and white weeping ume along with the scenery of Uji.

weeping plum garden
Best time to visit: Early to mid March
Opening Period / February 18, 2023 (Saturday) - March 31, 2023 (Friday) 8:30 - 15:10
Entrance fee: Adults 1,000 yen, children 500 yen *Ume candy included
*Not wheelchair accessible due to steep slopes and stairs.

Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is a power spot with the longest history in Kyoto. At the foot of the vermilion bridge over the Mitarashi River that runs through the shrine grounds, beautiful and vivid plum blossoms called "Korin-no-Ume" (plum blossoms of Korin) bloom. It is said that the plum blossoms depicted in the National Treasure "Red and White Plum Blossoms" by Ogata Korin, a painter of the Edo period, were modeled after Korin's plum blossoms.

Best time to visit: Early February to early March
Visiting hours/6:30-17:00
Entrance fee/free in the precincts

Umemiya-taisha Shrine is famous as a god of fertility and safe childbirth, and it is said that if you step over the "Matoge-ishi" stone, you will be blessed with a child. The precincts of the shrine are planted with 400 ume trees of 35 varieties, and the "As you wish" (red and white blooming on a single tree) and the "Kinde Ume" (golden branches) are a must-see. You may also see a cute combination with the cats kept in the precincts of the shrine.

Best time to visit: Mid-February to mid-March
Hours of visitation: 6:30-18:00, Shrine Garden 9:00-17:00 (reception ends at 16:30)
Entrance fee/free in the precincts, 600 yen in the shrine garden
Scheduled Events / Ume-Ume Festival March 6 (Sun.) Rituals from 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Jonangu Shrine was built on the occasion of the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo to pray for the safety of the capital and the protection of the country, and is widely worshipped as a shrine for "Houyoyaku" (protection from the elements). Of the five gardens in the shrine garden, the 150 weeping plum trees in the "Spring Mountain" area are a sight to behold. The collaboration of 400 camellias of 150 varieties is also popular, especially when the weeping plum trees and the camellias on the green moss are framed together.

Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival
Best time to visit: Late February - early March
Event period: February 18 (Sat.) - March 22 (Wed.), 2023
Shinen garden hours: 9:00-16:30 (Last entry: 16:00)
Entrance fee for Shin-en Garden: Adults (junior high school students and above) 800 yen, Elementary school students 500 yen
* 400 yen for those who present a disability certificate and one attendant

Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine is known for its Kirishima azalea trees, which are dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane. There are approximately 300 ume trees, including those planted in the adjacent ume grove and on the grounds of the shrine. When the entrance exam season comes around, visitors are greeted by plum blossoms with plump buds. The plum blossoms are beautiful as if remembering the memory of Michizane, and the competition between the plum blossoms and the ume crest is also deeply moving.

Best time to visit: Late February to mid-March
Hours of visitation: Free in the precincts (reception hours at the shrine office: 9:00-17:00)
Entrance fee/free in the precincts
Scheduled Events / Plum Blossom Festival March 12 (Sun) Tea Ceremony (fee required) 9:00-15:00
May be cancelled to prevent the spread of coronavirus