Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival

Spring in Japan isn’t just about the cherry blossoms and at Yushima Tenjin Shrine you can see one of the island nation’s other flower festivals, the ume matsuri, or plum festival.

Plum trees blossom earlier and for longer than cherry blossoms, so if your trip’s timing is that tiny bit off and you’re missing the pink tide, you can still get your fill of gorgeous blooms from the plum trees.

What happens?

Yushima Tenjin has been a popular spot for blossom-viewing since the Edo era and the festival includes demonstrations of shamisen-playing, plum wine tasting, traditional dance, tea, and other Japanese cultural events, including a mikoshi (portable shrine) procession. It also features nighttime illuminations from sundown to around 7:30 p.m.

Schedule

The festival features a packed schedule of live performances from early February through early March, with daily stage shows ranging from traditional arts like Edo satokagura, rakugo, kōdan and taiko drumming to international dance styles such as hula, flamenco, Balinese, Javanese and belly dance. Performances go from noon to 3:30 p.m., taking place on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Special highlights include a Showa-era nostalgia concert by the Tokyo Popular Song Orchestra, a karaoke contest, shakuhachi and koto recitals, character shows and community parades.

Just turn up to see what’s on offer or check out the schedule.