Cherry blossom won’t bloom until the end of March. However, there is an equally rewarding treat for flower lovers who can’t wait : plum blossom!
“Ume” Plum blossom Viewing Spots in Kanasai
Shirakawa Ippon-bashi bridge/ Kyoto
Ippon-bashi or Gyoja-bashi bridge, a 66 cm wide stone bridge with weeping willow trees on the both side of Shirakawa stream is located near Chion-in Temple.
Mikane Jinja Shrine/ Kyoto
Mikane Jinja Shrine, a deity of gold in Kyoto attracts people wishing for economic fortune, located near Nijo Castle. A shining golden trii gate welcomes you.
Yoshimine-dera Temple 「善峯寺」/ Kyoto
Yoshimine-dera is a hidden mountain side temple with various flowers located in Kyoto’s western mountains. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossom, hydrangeas and autumn color.
Ishikiri-Tsurugiya Shrine/ Osaka
Ishikiri-Tsurugiya Shrine, well known as Ishikiri-san in Osaka is a very popular shrine since ancient times as the home of a deity who cures tumors and boils.
Takeda Castle Ruins/ Hyogo
Takeda Castle, a stunning set of castle ruins located in the mountains of Hyogo is often called as the Castle floating in the sky or the Machu Picchu of Japan”.
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine/ Wakayama-Kumano
Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, located in south Wakayama, is a part of a large religious complex site with Seiganto-ji Temple and Nachi-no-taki waterfalls.
Hayatama Taisha Shrine/ Wakayama
Hayatama Taisha Shrine, with a 800 year old conifer tree and a sacred rock, located in Shingu City on the southeast of Wakayama, is home of nature worships.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine/ Wakayama
Kumano Hongu Taisha, a world heritage registered shrine with the biggest torii gate is located at the center of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Wakayama.
Okazaki Shrine/ Kyoto
Okazaki Shrine, located on the east of Heian-Jingu, filled with a lot of cute rabbits as its guardian deity, is a place to pray for safe births of children.
Yasaka Koshin-do Temple/ Higashiyama, Kyoto
Yasaka Koshin-do, a small temple nearby Yasaka-no-to pagoda in the Higashiyama district welcome you with colorful monkeys and protect you from illnesses.
Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine/ Kyoto
Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine is located in the Gion geisha district between Kennin-ji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda, to end bad relationships and start good ones.