Fukuoka & Kyushu Plum Blossom Forecasts 2022
The plum blossoms begin to bloom in Fukuoka around “risshun,” which marks the arrival of spring on the calendar. The plum blossoms, red, white, and pink, are small, lovely, and fragrant and are also the prefectural flower of Fukuoka.
Japan Meteorological Corporation recently announced the first sighting of plum blossoms in four prefectures in Kyushu. First, plum blossoms began flowering on January 20 in the cities of Kagoshima (13 days earlier than the average, 7 days earlier than last year) and in Fukuoka on January 23 (8 days earlier than the average, 9 days earlier than last year.)
Fukuoka Now has selected 24 famous plum blossom viewing spots in various locations, including Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine’s flying plum blossoms and Maizuru Park’s plum blossom garden, both of which have been popular for many years. The plum blossoms are expected to reach their peak around mid-February to mid-March. Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation
• Maizuru Park
• Aburayama Citizen’s Forest
• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
• Kofuji Bairin
• Hirao Sanso (Mountain Villa)
• Chinkokuji Temple
• Ishibashi Cultural Center
• Miyanojin Shrine
• Bairinji Temple Garden
• Yabejizo Park
• Umenoki Kaido
• Garyubai at Fukoji Temple
• Mizuta Tenmangu Shrine
• Seikien
• Tsunashiki Tenmangu Shrine
• Kama City Bairin Park
• Kozoji Jinguin Temple
• Tenchizan Park
• Yakiyama Kaboku Garden
• Mitsutake Bairin Park
• Kitakyushu Sogo Noji Center
• Senbonso
• Shirakidani Bairin
• Umeyasu Tenmangu Shrine
Fukuoka City Area (6)
Maizuru Park
Easily accessible from Tenjin. Approximately 270 trees inside the Maizuru plum orchard are expected to come into bloom as we enter the spring months. On sunny days between January 27 and February 20, benches covered with red rugs will be set up so that visitors can enjoy the plum blossoms at their leisure.
• Best time to view: Late Jan. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 270 trees
• 1-4 Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/maiduru/
Aburayama Citizen’s Forest
A spacious park with various attractions for families. At this time of year about 330 plum trees bloom and cityscape view of the city below is impressive!
• Best time to view: Early Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 330 trees
• 855-4 Hibaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 1 hour on foot from Aburayama Danchi-guchi bus stop (4km)
• http://www.shimi-mori.com/
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
The shrine is a well-known spot for plum blossoms, particularly for the famous tree “Tobiume” which was believed to have ‘flown’ from Kyoto to Dazaifu. During plum blossom season there will be several teahouses serving tea and sweets. You can also buy umegaemochi to nibble on while strolling in the shrine grounds.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 6,000 trees
• 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka
• Access: 7 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Sta.
• http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/
Kofuji Bairin
This is a famous plum blossom viewing spot located at the southern foot of Mount Kaya, locally known as “Itoshima Fuji.” You can admire a total of 3,000 plum trees, 1,000 of which were planted in the Edo period to ward off famine, and 2,000 of which were planted after the war to generate income for farmers while strolling along the gentle slope. You can also enjoy the view of Funakoshi Bay (commonly known as Kafuri Bay) below.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 3,000 trees
• Shima-kofuji, Itoshima City
• Access: 13 min. by car from Maebaru Interchange
• http://www.itoshima-kanko.net/cat/kofuji_bairin/
Hirao Sanso (Mountain Villa)
This mountain villa (hut) is a designated cultural property of Fukuoka. The sight of plum blossoms against a thatched roof is lovely.
Botoni Nomura—Female Poet of the Late Edo Era
https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/botoni-nomura-female-poet-of-the-late-edo-era/
• Best time to view: Early Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 100 trees
• 5-2-28 Hirao, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 13 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Hirao Sta.
• http://bunkazai.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/cultural_properties/detail/item_id:101547
Chinkokuji Temple
• Best time to view: Early Jan. ~ mid-Feb.
• Approx. 20 trees
• 966 Yoshida, Munakata City, Fukuoka
• Access: 3 min. by car from Munakata Taisha Shrine
• http://chinkokuji.or.jp/
Chikugo Area (9)
Ishibashi Cultural Center
The Ishibashi Cultural Center boasts 140 red and white blooming plum trees, including the “spring plum tree” donated by Hefei City, China, a friendship city of Kurume City. In the spacious grounds of the cultural complex, which includes a library, art museum, and music hall, there is a plum blossom garden and rows of plum trees, and from mid-February to early March, when the plum blossoms are in full bloom, the area is filled with their sweet fragrance. During the Ume Festival, plum-themed set menus and cakes are available at the café, and umegae mochi (rice cakes) are available for take-out.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 140 trees
• Ume Festival: 2/5 (Sat.) ~ 3/6 (Sun.)
• 1015 Nonaka-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Kurume Sta.
• https://www.ishibashi-bunka.jp/hana/
Miyanojin Shrine
It is said that the name “Miyanojin” comes from the fact that a prince camped here during the Ohara Battle (Battle of Chikugo River) in 1359. The Shogun’s plum tree, which was planted by hand at the time of the battle, is a natural treasure designated by Kurume City and is one of the largest plum trees in Kurume City that still blooms.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar. (Shogun Ume: early Mar.)
• Approx. 60 trees and the shogun ume, a 600-year-old landmark plum tree
• 5-12 Miyanojin, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Miyanojin Sta.
• https://bit.ly/39M2tJt
Bairinji Temple Garden
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 500 trees
• 209 Kyo-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. on foot from JR Kurume Sta.
• https://bit.ly/3tjEbhI
Yabejizo Park
提供：（一社）うきは観光みらいづくり公社
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mar.
• Approx. 300 trees
• 583-11 Yoshii-machi Yabe, Ukiha City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. by car via Asakura Interchange
• https://ukihalove.jp/contents/yabejizoukouen/
Umenoki Kaido
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 180 trees
• Nanatsue, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
• Access: 14 min. on foot from Nogyo Soko-mae bus stop
• https://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/kanko/meisho/meguru/umenokigaido.html
Garyubai at Fukoji Temple
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 200 trees
• Entry: 10:00~15:00
• Entry fee: 2/11 ~ 3/6 ¥300 (over JHS)
• 2538 Imayama, Omuta City, Fukuoka
• Access: Ride a Nishitetsu bus heading to “Fukoji” from JR Omuta Sta. 10 min. on foot from the Fukoji bus stop
• https://www.sekoia.org/topic.php?no=998
Mizuta Tenmangu Shrine
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 100 trees
• 62-1 Mizuta, Chikugo City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. on foot or 5 min. by car from JR Hainuzuka Sta., 8 min. by car from JR Chikugo-Funagoya Sta., 10 min. by car via Yame Interchange
• https://www.mizuta-koinoki.jp/mizuta/
Seikien
Here you can see hundreds of potted bonsai, plum, and pine. Some are between one and two hundred years old. There are regular plum trees nearby too. Entrance during plum blossom season is ¥500 for adults and free for JHS and under.
• Best time to view: Mid-Jan. ~ Early Mar.
• Entry: 9:30~17:00
• Entry fee: Adult ¥500, free for JHS and under
• 1403-2 Yamakawa-machi Ono, Miyama City, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. by car via Miyama-Yanagawa Interchange
• http://seikien.com/
Chikuho Area (5)
Tsunashiki Tenmangu Shrine
A plum festival will be held on 2/10 ~ 3/10.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early-Mar.
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Shida Prum Festival: 2/10 (Thu.) ~ 3/10 (Thu.)
• 794-2 Takatsuka, Chikujo-machi, Chikujo, Fukuoka
• Access: 15 min. on foot from JR Shiida Sta.
• https://www.town.chikujo.fukuoka.jp/s036/020/030/010/090/umematsuri.html
Kama City Bairin Park
Local food such as udon, umeboshi, umemochi and more will be on sale during plum blossom season.
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Plum blossom viewing period: 2/6 (Sun.) ~ 3/6 (Sun.)
• 328-1 Shimo-Yamada, Kama City, Fukuoka
• Access: 8 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Shimo-Yamada Elementary School bus stop, 50 min. by car from Chikugo-Ogori Interchange
• https://www.city.kama.lg.jp/soshiki/20/24498.html
Kozoji Jinguin Temple
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mar.
• Approx. 800 trees
• 22 Kawara, Karawa-machi, Tagawa, Fukuoka
• Access: 25 min. on foot from Kawara Sta.
• https://bit.ly/3cDUfFa
Tenchizan Park
• Best time to view: Late Jan. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 160 trees
• 1140-1 Omura, Buzen City, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. by car via Buzen Interchange
• http://www.city.buzen.lg.jp/kanko/asobu/tenchizan/
Yakiyama Kaboku Garden
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 840 trees
• 1148-21 Yakiyama, Iizuka City, Fukuoka
• Access: 25 min. by car via prefectural road no. 201, Fukuoka Interchange
• https://bit.ly/3awyxAm
Kitakyushu Area (5)
Mitsutake Bairin Park
Photo by Kitakyushu City Tourist Site
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 350 trees
• Tsujimitsu, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: approx. 15 min. by taxi from Nishitetsu Nakatani bus stop
• http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/kensetu/file_0212.html
Kitakyushu Sogo Noji Center
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 170 trees, 16 varieties
• 1-6-1 Yokoshiro Higashi-machi, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: ride a Nishitetsu bus and get off at Nouji Center-mae bus stop
• https://k-nouji.com/see
Senbonso
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Koishi, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. on foot from “Sakota” municipal bus stop
• http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/wakamatsu/file_0020.html
Shirakidani Bairin
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 1,200 trees
• Hata, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: Ride a Nishitetsu bus to “Shinishizaka” from JR Kurosaki Sta. 40 min. on foot from the Shinishizaka bus stop
• https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/yahatanishi/file_0117.html
Umeyasu Tenmangu Shrine
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 300 trees
• 1-42 Chuo, Nakama City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. on foot from JR Nakama Sta.
• https://goraifuku.jp/spots/detail/76
—-
Originally written in February 2022.
Copyright Fukuoka Now – including all text, photos and illustrations. Permission required to re-use in any form. Meanwhile, feel free to link to to this page.
NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in January 2019.
