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.

Yushima Tenjin has been a popular spot for blossom-viewing since the Edo era. Usually the festival is more of an extravaganza with traditional performances and cultural events but those are cancelled for this year.