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.
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| Close up of the Pink Plum Blossoms |
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| Pink Plum Blossoms |
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| More Pink Plum Blossoms |
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| Close up of the White Plum Blossoms |
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| White Plum Blossoms |
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| 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.
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| D51 Steam Locomotive |
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Wow! They are so beautiful, especially with the blue sky in the background! ^__^
ReplyDeleteThanks ZJ, It was a beautiful sunny day, but a little chilly with a cold wind blowing.
DeleteJohn
Funny how something so simple as a blossom can brighten a day!
ReplyDeleteThanks AS, They are a great start to spring and a prelude to the cherry blossoms soon to come :)
DeleteJohn
I know they can't compete with their flamboyant sakura cousins, but ... oh, they're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ru, In many ways I prefer the ume blossoms, especially so when there are so many varieties and trees all gathered together like this :)
DeleteJohn
I would love to go to Japan in blossom season - but probably so does the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, It is a beautiful time of the year but most places are really crowded with people enjoying the blossoms :)
DeleteJohn
Those plum blossoms are beautiful!
ReplyDeletePlus you have a steam locomotive to see too!
I'm envious. :)
Thanks Lina, How cool is the steam locomotive? It was a pleasant surprise and you are allowed to climb all over it as well :)
DeleteJohn
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*
ReplyDeleteThanks AS, They are a beautiful thing and the smell is amazing :)
DeleteJohn