Tokyo plum blossoms 2027: when to go, seven spots compared, and how to plan around the festivals
Planning a Tokyo trip for February or early March 2027? Plum blossoms come first, they are quieter than cherry season, and most spots are free. Here is when they bloom and where to go.
Tokyo’s plum blossoms usually bloom from early February to early March, with mid to late February the safest window. Best spots: Hanegi Park (free, ~650 trees), Yushima Tenjin (free, festival), and Koishikawa Korakuen (¥300). The 2027 festival dates are not announced yet; last year’s ran about February 8 to early March, so check again in January.
Why plum, and why now
Plum (ume) blossoms open in Tokyo while it is still cold, usually from early February, and they give you something to see in the gap between winter lights and cherry season. Crowds are small compared with sakura, many spots are free, and the festivals are low-key and local. If your trip is February or early March, this is the cheapest way to see Japanese blossoms. If you are coming in late March, see our cherry blossom 2027 guide instead.
Seven Tokyo plum spots, compared
The dates below are from the 2025 season (the latest full set we could find) and are only a guide, because organisers usually publish new dates in January. Peak bloom depends on the winter weather, but mid to late February is the safe window.
| Spot | Last known season | Entry | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanegi Park (Setagaya) | Festival Feb 8 – Mar 2 (2025) | Free | About 650 trees, plum food stalls and performances on festival weekends; 2 min from Umegaoka Station (Odakyu) |
| Yushima Tenjin (Bunkyo) | Festival Feb 8 – Mar 8 (2025) | Free | Month-long festival, food stalls and a plum-lined staircase; close to Ueno |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | Feb 1 – Mar 2 (2025) | ¥300 | Fewer trees but a beautiful historic garden, next to Tokyo Dome |
| Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine | Feb 1 – 25 (2025) | Free | Red and pink weeping plums; commemorative goshuin stamps |
| Kameido Tenjin (Koto) | Early Feb – early Mar | Free | 300+ trees and an arched bridge |
| Ikegami Plum Garden (Ota) | Early Feb – early Mar | ¥100 | 370+ trees in about 30 varieties |
| Jindai Botanical Garden | Festival Feb 11 – Mar 2 (2025) | ¥500 | 100+ plum trees plus a concert and guided tour during the festival |
Shiba Park (about 70 trees, free) and Koganei Park (about 90 trees, free, good for a picnic) are also on local lists. We did not check 2027 dates for any of these, so verify on each venue's page in January.
If you only have one afternoon, pair Yushima Tenjin with Ueno: the shrine is a short walk from the park and the museums, so you can add a rainy-day backup. Plum petals are small and the colours are quieter than cherry, so go on a clear day for photos. Bring a warm layer, because February afternoons can be cold, and carry some cash for food stalls.
How to fit it into a February trip
Plum viewing pairs well with the end of the winter illumination season (some lights run to late February) and with New Year temple visits earlier in the winter. See the winter illuminations guide and the hatsumode guide for those. Many festival events are held on weekends only, so aim for a weekend if you want performances and a weekday if you want quiet.
Common questions
When is plum blossom season in Tokyo?
Usually early February to early March, with mid to late February the safest window. Exact dates depend on the winter, and festival organisers typically publish new dates in January.
What are the best places to see plum blossoms in Tokyo?
Hanegi Park (about 650 trees, free), Yushima Tenjin (month-long festival, free), Koishikawa Korakuen (¥300), Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine (weeping plums, free), Kameido Tenjin, Ikegami Plum Garden and Jindai Botanical Garden.
When is the Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival 2027?
The 2027 dates are not announced. Past editions have run from about the first week of February to the first week of March at Hanegi Park, about 2 minutes on foot from Umegaoka Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line.
Are plum festivals free?
Many are. Hanegi Park, Yushima Tenjin, Ushi-Tenjin and Kameido Tenjin are free; Koishikawa Korakuen (¥300), Ikegami Plum Garden (¥100) and Jindai Botanical Garden (¥500) charge a small fee, based on 2025 listings.
Plum or cherry blossoms: which should I choose?
Choose plum if you are in Tokyo in February or early March and want fewer crowds. Choose cherry blossoms for late March to early April. They do not overlap in Tokyo.
Do I need to book anything?
No bookings are needed for the shrine and park viewing. Check each garden's official page for opening hours before you go.