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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