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Plum Blossoms in January: Early-Blooming Ume Spots in Japan
You can see plum blossoms in Japan from January. Here is when ume start to bloom in each region, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the spots where the season begins in January.
Cherry blossoms come to mind first when people think of flowers in Japan, but plum blossoms (ume) open well before them, from January. In warm areas, and with early varieties, you can see flowers in the coldest part of winter.
When ume start to bloom (normal dates)
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) records the date plum trees start to bloom in cities across Japan. These are the normal dates (1991–2020 averages), worked out from JMA data.
| City | Ume start to bloom (normal) |
|---|---|
| Shizuoka | Jan 17 |
| Tokyo | Jan 22 |
| Nagoya | Jan 28 |
| Fukuoka | Jan 31 |
| Kagoshima | Feb 2 |
| Mito | Feb 3 |
| Osaka | Feb 13 |
| Kyoto | Feb 22 |
This is the day JMA's sample tree starts to bloom, not the best time to visit. It moves every year: in 2026 it was January 14 in Tokyo and January 5 in Shizuoka.
Spots where the season starts in January
| Spot | Season |
|---|---|
| Atami Baien (Shizuoka) | Early Jan – early Mar |
| Dazaifu Tenmangu (Fukuoka) | Late Jan – early Mar |
| Odawara Flower Garden (Kanagawa) | Late Jan – early Mar |
| Korinbai, Aoshima (Miyazaki) | Late Jan – late Feb |
| Sanuki Flower Garden (Kagawa) | Jan – Mar (varies by variety) |
| Kanbara Shrine (Niigata) | Late Jan – early Apr (varies by variety) |
At Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto, early plum trees bloom from just after New Year; the plum garden usually opens from early February to late March.
2027 festivals starting in January
The Atami Baien Plum Festival is planned for January 9 – March 7, 2027. For other festivals whose dates are out, see Plum Festivals.
Blooming varies every year. Check the bloom report and each spot's official information before you go.
