The plum is associated with the start of spring, because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during the year. The Japanese Plum or Ume, (sometimes referred to as Japanese apricot) has played an important role in for many centuries. In the Tokyo area, they typically flower in February and March. The event is celebrated with plum festivals (ume matsuri) in public parks, shrines and temples across Japan.

Like Japanese cherry trees, plum trees come in many varieties, many of which were cultivated by humans over the centuries. Most plum blossoms have five petals and range in color from white to dark pink. Some varieties with more than five petals (yae-ume) and weeping branches (shidare-ume) have also been cultivated. Unlike Japanese Cherry Blossoms, Japanese Plum Blossoms have a strong fragrance.

The actual Ume fruit is more sour than the western plum or apricot, and is usually processed in various ways before eaten. The most popular processed form is the Umeboshi, a sour, pickled plum, which is usually enjoyed with cooked rice, although I am not a great fan of the Umeboshi. The umeboshi has one of the most typical Japanese flavors.

Umeshu, a sweet alcoholic beverage made of plums, is also very popular. Last year a friend of mine sent me some very special Ume from Osaka and I made my own Umeshu, 5 litres to be precise, it takes about 6 months to become ready to drink. This year I will need to continue my production of home made Umeshu as it is very popular among my friends.

I will post again on how to spot the difference between Japanese Plum Blossoms and Japanese Cherry Blossoms.

When to see Japanese Plum Blossoms

The best time is from late February to late March, if you can manage late March early April you will also experience the Japanese Cherry Blossoms.

Where to see Japanese Plum Blossoms

	Kairakuen (Ibaraki Prefecture) Mito Station, JR Joban Line Ranked as one of Japan’s three finest landscape gardens, Kairakuen features over 3000 plum trees of 100 varieties. A plum festival is held annually from February 20 to March 31. More details
	Koishikawa Korakuen (Tokyo) Korakuen Station, Marunouchi Subway Line A beautiful Japanese landscape garden in central Tokyo with a few dozen plum trees. A ume matsuri is held from February 9 to March 2, 2008. More details
	Kyu Shiba Rikyu (Tokyo) Hamamatsucho Station, Yamanote Line A classic Japanese landscape garden with a pond, man made hills and about a dozen plum trees. More details
	Hanegi Park (Tokyo) Umegaoka Station, Odakyu Line A small park with about 700 plum trees of many varieties. The Setagaya Ume Matsuri is celebrated here on weekends and holidays from February 2 to 24, 2008.
	Yushima Tenjin Shrine (Tokyo) Yushima Station, Chiyoda Subway Line A shrine, popular among students, who wish to pass entrance exams. A plum festival is held annualy from February 8 to March 8, with various events on weekends and holidays.

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