Ume@ Enjoin, Hanegi Park: March18, 2012

Ume (Japanese plum) blossom usually finishes in early March in Tokyo. The situation is quite different this year. We had a peak of blossom today in many places.


I had a walk along Kitazawa-gawa walking path in Setagaya ward, western Tokyo. There were several places -- including Enjoin Temple and Hanegi Park – where I could enjoy the flower.

Enjoin is a small Shingon school (Buddhism) temple. There are several ume trees in the garden and the trees are well cared.

It was my forth time to visit Hanegi Park for ume blossom this year. Hundreds of trees opened their flowers today. I enjoyed both vise and flavor of ume.

Some cherry trees start to open their flowers in mid-March in Tokyo when the winter is warm. This year is different. We need to wait another two or three weeks for cherry season.