Fukuoka & Kyushu Plum Blossom Forecasts 2021
Japan Meteorological Corporation recently announced the first sighting of plum blossoms in four prefectures in Kyushu. First, plum blossoms began flowering on January 25 in the cities of Miyazaki (3 days later than the average, seventeen days later than last year) and in Kagoshima on January 27 (4 days earlier than the average, eleven days earlier than last year.) Observations followed those in Fukuoka City on February 1 (one day earlier than the average, twelve days later than last year) and Saga City on February 3 (5 days later than the average, thirteen days later than last year.) According to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which has been enjoying growing attention from international visitors thanks to the city’s connection to Japan’s new era name ‘Reiwa,’ the plum blossoms are expected to reach their peak around mid-February to mid-March. Source: Japan Meteorological Corporation
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Fukuoka City Area (6)
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/
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/
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/
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.
• 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
Kofuji Bairin
• 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/
Maizuru Park
Easily accessible from Tenjin. Approximately 250 trees inside the Maizuru plum orchard are expected to come into bloom as we enter the spring months.
Photo: Maizuru Park
• Best time to view: Late Jan. ~ Late Feb.
• Approx. 250 trees
• 1-4 Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/maiduru/
Chikugo Area (9)
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
Garyubai at Fukoji Temple
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 200 trees
• 10:00~16:00
• Entry fee ¥300 (2/13 ~ 3/7) *subject to change depending on flowering conditions
• 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
• http://www.sekoia.org/topic.php?no=694
Ishibashi Cultural Center
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 140 trees
• 1015 Nonaka-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from Nishitetsu Kurume Sta.
• https://www.ishibashi-bunka.jp/hana/
Miyanojin Shrine
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ 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
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: Late-Jan. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 300 potted ume bonsai plants aged 60~300 years old
• 1403-2 Yamakawa-machi Ono, Miyama City, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. by car via Miyama-Yanagawa Interchange
• http://seikien.com/
Tanigawa Bairin Plum Grove
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ Early Mar.
• Approx. 30,000 trees
• Free entry
• Tachibana-machi Tanigawa, Yame City, Fukuoka
• http://tachibana-kankou.jp/
Umenoki Kaido
• Best time to view: Late 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
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/
Chikuho Area (5)
Kama City Bairin Park
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• 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
• http://www.e-kama.net/area/梅林公園/
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/
Tsunashiki Tenmangu Shrine
A plum festival will be held on 2/10 (Wed.) ~ 3/10 (Wed.).
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb. ~ Mid-Mar.
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Shida Prum Festival: 2/10 (Wed.) ~ 3/10 (Wed.)
• 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
Yakiyama Kaboku Garden
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ late Mar.
• Approx. 840 trees
• 1310 Yakiyama, Iizuka City, Fukuoka
• Access: 25 min. by car via prefectural road no. 201, Fukuoka Interchange
• https://bit.ly/3awyxAm
Kitakyushu Area (5)
Kitakyushu Sogo Noji Center
• Best time to view: Late Feb. ~ Early 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
Mitsutake Bairin Park
Red and white ume bloom throughout the 10,000 sqm park. There will also be stalls selling handmade local foods.
• Best time to view: Late 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
Senbanso
• Best time to view: Mid-Feb.
• 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: Early 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: Late Jan. ~ Mid-Feb.
• 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 2021.
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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.
