The Beauty of Ume (Plum) Blossom Season in Japan: Blooms, Umeshu, and Festivals

Ume, or Japanese plum, is known for its beautiful bloom, typically occurring in February and March. In Japanese culture, it symbolizes the beginning of spring, since it is the first tree to flower even before the famous cherry blossoms. This prompts celebrations with festivals and seasonal foods and drinks all centered around ume. And honestly for us, it an incredible time for a visit to Japan!

The Enchantment of Ume "Plum" Blossoms in Japan

Ume blossoms are somewhat smaller than cherry blossoms, yet they are distinguished by a strong, sweet fragrance that cherry blossoms lack. Usually, they have five petals, though some varieties have more.

Ume blossoms appear in different colors, with white and pink being the most prevalent. Additionally, weeping branch varieties have been developed, which are breathtaking when in full bloom.

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Plum Blossoms in Tokyo:

Just visiting Tokyo and want to see plum blossoms, here are a few places to visit.

• Hanegi Park (Not far from Shibuya)

• Yushima Tenjin Shrine (Close to Ueno Park)

• Koishikawa Korakuen (Near Tokyo Dome)

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What is Umeshu, "Plum Wine"?

Let's begin with what ume is. Ume, the fruit, originates from China. Despite often being referred to as the "Japanese Plum," it is not actually a plum! It resembles an apricot more closely and is recognized for its uniquely tart and bitter taste with a touch of sweetness.

Umeshu, often referred to as "plum wine," is actually a Japanese plum liqueur, not wine! The Japanese term umeshu literally translates to "plum alcohol." This fruity liqueur is crafted from unripe ume, which is steeped with sugar in distilled liquor, typically shochu, for a minimum of six months. This aging transforms the sour fruit into a sweet liqueur with 35% alcohol by volume, cherished by soo many.

This adaptable fruit not only creates delightful liqueur but also offers health benefits when consumed in moderation! Certain studies indicate advantages for digestion, fatigue, skin, and liver function due to its rich antioxidants, minerals, citric acid, and vitamins.

Wondering how to drink plum wine? There are multiple options. You can savor this beverage either warm or cold, both methods enhance the ume flavor. Umeshu cocktails are also excellent choices. Try it with whisky, soda water, or both for an ume highball! Many umeshu bottles contain a boozy and sweet plum at the bottom, so don't miss out on enjoying one of those as well. Founded in 1914, Choya, a renowned Japanese brand, has over a century of experience in crafting this unique beverage so its a great place to begin your umeshu journey.

Festivals Celebrating Ume Blossoms

To celebrate the arrival of spring and the ume blossoms, ume festivals offer a wonderful opportunity to admire blooming plum trees and experience Japanese culture and cuisine. These festivals take place in public parks, temples, and shrines throughout Japan during specific periods, typically from early February to early March.

One festival we had the pleasure of going to right outside of central Tokyo is the Setagaya Plum Festival in Hanegi Park. Located less than a 20-minute journey from Shibuya Station, we were able to admire the yearly blooming of its plum grove. The park is home to approximately 650 plum trees of nearly 60 different varieties.

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Extra Info:

The Setagaya Plum Festival is held annually from early February to early March. When we visited on a weekend, we were welcomed by a row of vendors extending from the station to the park's entrance. They sold hand made pottery & ceramics, trinkets, food, flowers, and more. Inside the park, there were even more vendors, and we were offered free tea. It was here that we discovered umeshu, as a street vendor was selling homemade plum wine along with the plums!

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Weekends are usually the perfect time to fully immerse yourself in the experience, and you might even catch a performance or show. It's advisable to visit the festival's website you plan to attend to ensure you're informed about what to expect. Certainly anticipate plum-themed foods and snacks, such as Umeboshi (sour pickled plum), along with traditional street foods like Yakitori (chicken skewers) and Takoyaki (octopus balls).

Conclusion

Ume blossom season is beautiful and a great alternative to cherry blossoms. Especially if you aimed to steer clear of the busy season by arriving in early February and felt like you were missing out on the blooms. We are thrilled to have discovered ume and umeshu in Japan and hope you can experience them as well!