5 Spots for Spring Blooms in Yamanashi Kim Bergström Spring in Japan comes with a bounty of blooms to enjoy, and Yamanashi Prefecture is home to a number of ultra-scenic destinations to appreciate their beauty
9 Activities Beginnings of Spring at Naritasan Andrea Kahlow Naritasan has over 400 plum trees, which start blooming in late February and signal the beginning of spring.
Food Super Ume - Old Poems and New Health Alena Eckelmann Ume, the Japanese plum, is in full bloom in February. Ume appreciation reached poetic heights in the Manyoshu poem collection from the 8th century.
14 Yokosuka's Taura Park Steve Morton Famous for its colorful February plum blossoms, Taura Park`s colorful flowers provide a great prelude to Japan`s colorful cherry blossom season
Culture Zuishin-in Daihonzan Temple Bonson Lam The blossom of young love, and then death, is in many ways, a parallel to the life of the plum blossom branches that the girls were on their kimonos, blossoms
16 Culture Early Spring in Japan Elena Lisina In early spring, festivals of snow, plum blossom and the Hina-matsuri girls holiday are held in Japan.
Activities Japan's Winter Blooms and Where to Find Them Kim Bergström There are a number of blooms which are at their best during different points in the colder months.
11 Culture Egaraten Shrine in Kamakura Lily Famous for its plum blossoms, the shrine is home to many plum blossom symbols.