When it comes to flowers that signal the arrival of spring in Japan, many people might think of cherry blossoms. However, there is a plant that blooms earlier than cherry blossoms, in the chilly remaining season, with delicate flowers. That is the "ume" (plum blossom). Ume has been loved in Japan since ancient times and is deeply rooted in culture and arts such as poetry, paintings, and kimono patterns.
Osaka is known as a modern city, but there are also many places where you can experience history and nature, and spots where you can feel the four seasons amid the urban hustle and bustle. Among these, during the ume season, many people visit the plum groves in the city and its suburbs to enjoy the flowers.
This article carefully selects six notable spots in Osaka where you can enjoy ume flowers, introducing their charms, features, access methods, and best viewing periods in detail. In addition, manners and precautions when enjoying plum viewing are also explained so that you can comfortably experience Japan's early spring.
Using this guide as a reference, please enjoy the early spring atmosphere and savor the unique ume scenery that can only be experienced in Osaka.
1. Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Castle Park is a large-scale park located in the center of Osaka City, combining tourism, history, and nature. Among them, the "ume grove" where you can enjoy ume flowers is especially popular. Over 1,200 ume trees of about 100 varieties are planted, making it one of the most diverse in Kansai.
The charm of this ume grove lies in its excellent location where you can appreciate the flowers with the historical Osaka Castle as a backdrop. On clear days, the blue sky, the castle tower, and the red and white ume flowers harmonize, creating a scenery like a painting. The park’s walking paths are well maintained and easy to walk on, making it accessible for people of all ages.
The best viewing period is usually from mid-February to early March, and if you shift your visit a little, it can be relatively less crowded. Visiting in the morning allows you to enjoy the ume viewing quietly with fewer tourists. The ume grove is conveniently accessible, about a 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Loop Line "Osaka Castle Park Station".
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EYgit8gKxt1Baqjb9
2. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
Located in Suita City in northern Osaka, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is a vast park developed on the site of the Expo ’70 world fair held in 1970 in Japan. The park’s symbol, the "Tower of the Sun," has an overwhelming presence for visitors, but in early spring, the plum grove that shines with beauty not overshadowed by the tower is a highlight.
In a section of the Natural and Cultural Gardens within the park, there is a plum grove with over 600 ume trees of approximately 120 varieties blossoming beautifully. Varieties include red ume, white ume, and weeping ume, allowing for long-term flower viewing. The large lawn area is also perfect for leisurely plum viewing with a packed lunch.
Additionally, during the best viewing period, a "Ume Festival" is sometimes held, bustling with local specialty product sales and events. It is also a recommended spot for families.
Access is immediately from Osaka Monorail "Banpaku-Kinen-Koen Station." The best viewing period is from mid-February to early March.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjnCEyDzXLhXvEwF7
3. Domyoji Tenmangu Shrine
Domyoji Tenmangu Shrine in Fujiidera City, southern Osaka, is a historic shrine enshrining Sugawara Michizane, known as the god of scholarship. The association between Tenjin-sama (Michizane’s divine persona) and ume is very deep, and many ume trees are planted in Tenmangu or Tenjin shrines as the flower he loved.
The shrine precincts’ plum grove has about 800 ume trees of roughly 80 varieties blossoming, attracting many worshippers and flower viewers every year. Here, you can have a special experience of facing the flowers in the solemn atmosphere unique to shrines, not just viewing the flowers.
During the best viewing period, a "Ume Festival" is also held, enlivened by stalls selling local specialties and various events. Many spots are suitable for photography, with a beautiful collaboration of the approach to the shrine, the main hall, and the ume flowers, perfect for taking beautiful photos.
Access is a convenient 3-minute walk from Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line "Domyoji Station." The best viewing season is from early to late February.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gAqqrG86Tec8r3ak9
4. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
Located in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, affectionately called "Tenjin-san" locally, enshrines Sugawara Michizane. Like Domyoji Tenmangu Shrine, many ume trees are planted within the precincts, with red and white flowers beautifully blooming in early spring.
Though a compact ume grove, many old trees give a calm atmosphere for enjoying the ume. Especially, the ume in front of the main hall is impressive, with the traditional shrine architecture and ume flowers harmonizing remarkably well.
Also, Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is located very close to the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, so you can visit it alongside sightseeing and food strolls. It is a perfect place to stop by and relax between shopping.
Access is immediately from JR Tozai Line "Osaka Tenmangu Station." The best viewing period is from mid-February to early March.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RxRtqcNEcD9V51pm9
5. Arayama Park
Arayama Park in Minami Ward, Sakai City, is a quiet place surrounded by nature, a little away from the hustle and bustle of Osaka City. Though somewhat less known, it is a highly regarded ume viewing spot loved by locals for a long time.
The ume grove in the park boasts more than 1,400 ume trees of about 50 varieties, allowing visitors to enjoy a splendid red and white contrast. The park's terrain is hilly, so just a bit of walking provides moderate exercise.
Also, as it tends to be less crowded, it is an ideal environment for those who want to quietly enjoy the flowers or take photographs. Sometimes, a local market is held on weekends, adding the charm of a community-based experience.
The nearest station is Senboku Rapid Railway "Izumigaoka Station," from where you can access the park by bus. The best viewing period is from mid-February to early March.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/b64ud4ppxkzFnRa56
6. Nagai Botanical Garden
Nagai Botanical Garden, located in Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, is a full-fledged botanical garden operated by Osaka City where you can enjoy flowers and plants throughout the four seasons. During the ume season, about 120 ume trees bloom beautifully throughout the garden, delighting visitors.
Especially compared to other ume spots, it tends to have fewer tourists, making it perfect for those who want to quietly appreciate the flowers. The ume in the garden are carefully tended, with a strong fragrance, allowing you to thoroughly observe each flower.
Moreover, the botanical garden offers many plants besides ume, and its greenhouse allows enjoying tropical plants and rare flowers. It is a recommended spot for those wanting to spend a relaxed time.
Access is a 10-minute walk from Osaka Metro "Nagai Station." The best viewing period is from mid- to late February.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLcBu6Lpj4G16tot6
7. Precautions and Manners
・Photography Manners
Many people enjoy photography in ume groves, but blocking pathways or setting up tripods for a long time causes inconvenience to others. Especially during crowded times, be considerate and share the space while taking photos. Also, never climb trees or pull branches for photography.
・Crowded Times and Areas
Popular spots become very crowded around weekends and holidays, especially before and after noon. If possible, aiming for weekday mornings is ideal. Urban spots with easy access tend to be crowded, while suburban spots are comparatively less crowded.
・Behavior During Crowds
In crowded places, refrain from stopping for long periods for viewing or photography and be mindful of the flow of people around you. If there are benches or rest areas, calmly enjoying the flowers there is a good approach.
・Others
Since pollen tends to fly during the flower season, those with hay fever should prepare masks. The temperature can still be cold on some days, so visiting in warm clothing is recommended.
In Conclusion
Ume flowers quietly and powerfully announce the beginning of spring in Japan. Osaka has various notable ume spots, including historic shrines, vast parks, and nature-rich mountainous areas. Each has a different atmosphere, allowing for completely different experiences depending on where you visit.
Plum viewing is not just about seeing the flowers but also a special time to savor the unity with nature, including the scent of the wind, surrounding sounds, and warm sunlight. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the seasonal transitions of Japan while also touching upon the local history and culture.
Using this article as a reference, please add Osaka’s notable ume spots to your travel plans.
There, you will find the charm of Japan that is not listed in guidebooks.
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