Japan Australia Pages

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Plum Blossoms at Bairin Koen

Bairin Koen in Gifu City is a famous spot for plum blossoms in Japan. The name Bairin Koen (梅林公園) means “plum grove park” and it certainly lives up to its name with 50 different types of ume or plum blossoms and around 1300 plum trees. About 700 of the trees have white blossoms with the other 600 with red/pink blossoms.

The park was originally a private estate until it passed into the hands of Gifu City, where it was expanded and made into a public park.

The earliest plum blossoms begin blooming in mid-January, with the majority usually reaching their full blossom in late February or early March. The Gifu Ume Matsuri is held around that time in the park on the first Saturday and Sunday of March. It features music, dancing and lots of street vendors selling all kinds of fabulous Japanese festival food.

Close up of the Pink Plum Blossoms
Pink Plum Blossoms

More Pink Plum Blossoms

Close up of the White Plum Blossoms

White Plum Blossoms

Plum Blossom Grove

A point of interest is the park is home to a D51 steam locomotive, which is popular with kids both big and small.

D51 Steam Locomotive

Information



12 comments:

  1. Wow! They are so beautiful, especially with the blue sky in the background! ^__^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks ZJ, It was a beautiful sunny day, but a little chilly with a cold wind blowing.

      John

      Delete
  2. Funny how something so simple as a blossom can brighten a day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks AS, They are a great start to spring and a prelude to the cherry blossoms soon to come :)

      John

      Delete
  3. I know they can't compete with their flamboyant sakura cousins, but ... oh, they're beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ru, In many ways I prefer the ume blossoms, especially so when there are so many varieties and trees all gathered together like this :)

      John

      Delete
  4. I would love to go to Japan in blossom season - but probably so does the rest of the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa, It is a beautiful time of the year but most places are really crowded with people enjoying the blossoms :)

      John

      Delete
  5. Those plum blossoms are beautiful!

    Plus you have a steam locomotive to see too!

    I'm envious. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lina, How cool is the steam locomotive? It was a pleasant surprise and you are allowed to climb all over it as well :)

      John

      Delete
  6. Well that's it! Now that I've found this post, I'm stuck. can't seem to get anything else done tonight. Thanks *laugh*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks AS, They are a beautiful thing and the smell is amazing :)

      John

      Delete