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Plum blossoms Ume Japan 2024 at Kitano Tenmangu shrine Baien garden: Miosame on 3/24

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Overview

  • Sping in Japan always reminds us of cherry blossom Sakura but we enjoy plum blossom/Ume before it blooms.
  • Kitano Tenmangu shrine is one of the most famous place to admire Ume in Kyoto.
  • Kitano Tenmangu and its Baien garden have 50 kinds, 1500 plum trees.
  • Baien garden is open to public in February and March. We cannot tell exact date because the shrine opens the garden depending on bloom of Ume. In 2019, it opens on Jan. 31.
  • Night illumination in Baien garden is held on week-ends (FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, and SUNDAYS) from February 28 to March 22.
  • Night illumination is canceled due to widespread coronavirus.
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Forecast 2023 梅苑の公開並びにライトアップの日程

Baien garden schedule 2023  梅苑公開スケジュール

  • Baien garden: 2/1/2024~Late March3/17/2024 9:00~16:00(Entrance closed at 15:40)
  • Night Ilumination: 2/23/2023~3/10/2024 Twilight~20:00(Entrance closed at19:40)Only Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Entrance fee: Adult(Over 13 years old)1,200 yen  children 600 yen
たけちよ
たけちよ

Night illumination is available only Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Migoro

Migoro, the best time to enjoy Sakura and Autumn leaves 見頃につき英語で説明
In this post, I'll tell you the meaning of Migoro, the best time to enjoy/admire smth, of Ume/plum blossoms, Sakura/cherry blossoms, Aomomijis, and autumn leaves. 合掌

About Kitano Tenmangu shrine

The faith of Goryo 御霊信仰につき英語で説明
Mitama is a sprit of the deceased. Ancient people thought it caused natural disasters and epidemics. In this post, I'll show you how people managed them in order to accomplish to the peace. 合掌

Chogoro Mochi Tea House 長五郎餅 北野天満宮境内茶店

長五郎餅北野天満宮店2023

  • Dates:Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays to 3/2517
  • Open hours:9:00~about 17:00
  • 2 pieces of Chogoro Mochi with Sencha: 500 yen
  • 2 pieces of Chogoro Mochi with Macha: 700 yen

長五郎餅

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

YUMMY. GUARANTEED.

長五郎餅の火鉢

シカさん
シカさん

Enjoy the Subitsu (炭櫃) . It’s an old-fashioned heater. The charcoal gives out warmth.

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Breaking 2024 見頃予想、並びに開花状況

3/24

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

Baien garden was closed last weekend and there are some late bloomers left.

The revision of this post is also closed today. I gained many readers this year. I thank you all the readers. The revision of 2025 will started in early January. 合掌

3/16

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Late bloom ones started to fall. The Baien garden are in about 20% bloom and the garden closes tomorrow.

3/10

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

Late bloom Ume are in Migoro but the whole garden is in 70% bloom.

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Tobiume is in full bloom. Migoro.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

And Rohbai, too. They give out the sweet fragrance.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

After Romon gate, you’ll find Ushisan statue. Behind it, there are Ume on the tree.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

Passing through Ushisan, head for the main hall. There are Ume tree in line. You’ll find them one of them.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Some Ume in Kitano Tenmangu are on decline but we still have a chance to enjoy Ume in bloom. This year, Ume Matsuri takes place in Haradanien. Check out the link below.

Haradanien garden 2024 : Cherry blossom supreme in Kyoto 原谷苑の桜英語で説明
Haradanien is a private garden only open to public in spring and autumn. It is little-known place but is the most popular destination among Kyoto-enthusiasts. Sakura matsuri 2023: 25/3/2022~23/4/2023

3/3

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Baigen garden is still in Migoro. Some have just start blooming and early bloomers are gone away.

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Tobiume are in 90% bloom.

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Roubai are in full bloom with sweet frafrance.

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Genpei Sakiwake are in slight progress.

2/24

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

こんな塩梅よ

Baien garden is in Migoro though some early bloomers fell off. Of course some has just started bloom and some are still buds.

京都たこパン

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Superしっぽり

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Ume are illuminated with candles but some are LED candles. The night is in the typical “spring blue” in Kyoto. This blue lasts by Sakimatsuri Yoiyama of Gion Matsuri.

シカさん
シカさん

After Sakimatsuri, we can’t find this blue and find the summer is ending.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Gion Matsuri used to be held on the lunar calendar. Mikoshi always came back to Gion sha (former name of Yasaka shrine) in the dim light of full moon. Now it it is the unusual. Long lost tradition. The last time we experienced was couples of years ago.

北野天満宮梅開花状況ライトアップ2024

Today, we also can enjoy the full moon.

京都たこパン

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Superしっぽりillumination!

北野天満宮梅苑茶店メニュー北野天満宮梅苑茶店メニュー

At the tea house, we can enjoy tea and Senbei. Show the ticket and have them at the booth near it (Free). You can have other things (not free).

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Amazake (500 jpy) is recommended.  It is not alcohol though it sounds Zake (sake).

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

After the main gate, you’ll find Ushi-san.

京都混雑状況2024年2月

Turn left. There is the entrance of Baien garden.

2024年京都河津桜開花状況

The Kawazu Zakura at Ichojo Modoribashi bridge is in about 10% bloom. If you want to admire the Sakura, go to Toji or Sanjo Ohashi bridge. They are in 50% bloom.

Breaking report on Kawazu Zakura, the earliest bloom Sakura in Kyoto 3/30/2024: Miosame 河津桜開花状況英語で説明
The report of 2024 on Kawazu Zakura, the earliest bloom Sakura in Kyoto. We can find some of them in Ichijo Modori bashi bridge, Toji, Unryuin, and Philosopher's path.They go into full bloom around mid-March.

2/18

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

About 90%. Baien garden is in Absolute Migoro.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Night illumination starts from 2/23. Illuminated by candles. Candle night illumination are available in Baien garden and ME.

2/11

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

The ones in Baien garden are in 60% bloom.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Next weekend, they will be in Migoro.

北野天満宮梅御朱印

This year, special Goshuin stamps are available.

シカさん
シカさん

Baien Goshjin (left 梅苑御朱印) 500 JPY, Luminus Baika Shosei Gosyuin (right 梅花照星御朱印) 1,200 JPY.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

People waited in line at the entrance of Baien. ↓indicates the end of the line.

たけちよ
たけちよ

Don’t worry. You don’t wait to enter so long.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

The ones over Ushi-san are in Migoro.

Others: Robai is in 30% bloom. Genpei Sakiwake (white ones) started to bloom, Omoi no Mama is not yet. Unryubai is in Migoro.

Today, Japan marked 2684th anniversary. Check out the link below.

Kigen Sai 2024: Kashihara Jingu celebrates the birth of Japan 橿原神宮の紀元祭英語で説明
Kigensai festival (紀元祭) is a ritual to celebrate the birth of Japan. According to Nihon Shoki,『日本書記』Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇) became the 1st emperor of Japan in 660 B.C. at a place known as Kashihara Jingu shrine today. In this article, you can learn about how Japan started and Kigensai.

2/3

北野天満宮節分

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Today is Setsubun and lots of people there.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2024

Baien gareden is available now. (2/1~) The Ume near the entrance is almost in full bloom but the garden is in about 20% bloom.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2024

Near Ushi-san, Chira Hora (just started blooming).

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2024

Roubai is also in Chira Hora with sweet fragrance.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2024

Unryubai is in full bloom.

Genpei Sakiwake started blooming and Omoinamama is not yet.

1/28

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

We can find some over the Ushisan.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

The tree near Torii has many flowers.

北野天満宮梅開花状況2024

Tobiume has still stiff buds.

Baien garden is still in about 1% bloom.

1/21

北野天満宮梅苑開花状況2024北野天満宮梅苑開花状況2024

Near the main hall, some flower bloom and the ones in Baien garden is in about 1% bloom.

At Temizu sha, the flowers including plum blossoms are in bloom.

 

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Blooms in 2023

3/3 ヤギ撮影隊ライトアップ緊急入魂乱入済

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Now the sky is in the spring blue. It last until Sakimatsuri of Gion Matsuri.

シカさん
シカさん

Be there around 18:30.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023

The garden is illuminated with candles and in About 70% bloom. Some are not in bloom. I believe we could enjoy Migoro in next week.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023

Enjyo the crackers and the tea.

2/25

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023

About 70% bloom. Now Kitano Tenmangu shrine is in Migoro. Gempei Sakiwakes started to bloom. Tobiumes and Omoinomamas are buds.

2月19日

About 40% bloom. The early bloomers and Robais are still in Migoro. The shine would be in Migoro in next week.

2/14

たけちよ
たけちよ

At Sanjo Ohashi bridge, Kawazu Zakuras started to bloom. We can enjoy Ume and Sakura at the same time.

2/11

About 40% bloom. The early bloomers and Robais are in Migoro.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Baien garden is illuminated with candles!

2/4

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023

About 1 % of the trees in Baien garden have blossoms. At the entrance, the tree is in Migoro.

北野天満宮梅苑開花情報2023

At Oimatsu sha, we can find blossoms are in bloom.

1/31

北野天満宮梅2023

On pruning

北野天満宮梅開花情報2023

The plums in Baien garden have just started to bloom.

北野天満宮梅開花情報2023

Some Robai blossoms give out the sweet fragrance.

北野天満宮梅開花情報2023

Unryubais are not in bloom.

北野天満宮梅開花情報2023

At Oimatsu sha, located near Sankomon gate, the plums are in bloom.

北野天満宮梅開花情報2023

Omoino mama branchs are still available.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

Enjoy Hana Temizu/ Chozu with Ushi-san.

1/22

北野天満宮梅2023

Over Usshi-san (うしさん), few white ones Bloom.

北野天満宮蝋梅2023

Robai plums give out the sweet fragrance.

北野天満宮梅2023

And other plums bloom as expected.

北野天満宮梅2023

Chozu is decorated with Roabai and other flowers as usual.

1/4

北野天満宮初梅2023京都混雑状況2023年1月

Near Sanko Mon gate, we can find some flowers.

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2020

Overview

Usually, some early-blooming plum blossoms in bloom around the last week of Feb. or the first week of Mar.

 

北野天満宮梅苑北野天満宮梅苑

The week end of the first week of MARCH is the best time in every year.

いちきしま ひめ
いちきしま ひめ

This article is for your reference. We cannot foresee the best time to admire plum blossoms exactly. We are not responsible any disadvantage you have.

七里ヶ浜親方
七里ヶ浜親方

On Feb 9, Early-blooming ones are in full bloom. This year, the entrcance fee is 1,000 JPY.

22/2/2020

2020年北野天満宮の梅苑見頃2020年北野天満宮の梅苑見頃

Most of all the plum blossoms in Baien garden are in 80 percent bloom. We have the first illumination on Feb 28 and it think it is the best time to visit.

2020年北野天満宮の飛梅

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Plum blossom and Japan

北野天満宮の梅苑北野天満宮の梅

As you Know, Sakura is the most famous flower in spring time in Japan. On the other hand, we admire Ume/plum blossom before Sakura/cherry blossom. Ume is not indigenous to Japan. It was brought to our country from China in Nara period (710 – 794). In Manyoshu, the oldest Waka compilation, has many poem on Ume. In that period, the word “flower” was equivalent to “Ume.”

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Kitano Tenmangu shrine and plum blossom

北野天満宮の梅

Kitano Tenmangu enshrines Sugawara no Michizane. He was a court noble in Heian period. He was so prosperous that his political rival Fujiwara no Tokihira ousted him to Dazaifu (Fukuoka prefecture) by false accusation.

Michizane had cherry blossom, pine, and plum trees in the garden of his residence. On the day he left Kyoto to Dazaifu, he missed these trees. He loved the blossoms of the tree especially and he composed a poem: “東風吹かば にほひをこせよ 梅花 主なしとて 春を忘るな” It means ” O plum blossoms! I’m leaving you but spring shall be with you! To me, bring the fragrance of you on the wind to the west (Dazaifu is located west to Kyoto)!

北野天満宮の梅 

After he had gone, the cherry tree withered. The pine tree tried to follow him but failed. Only the blossoms of the plum tree flew away to Dazaihu to see him. We can find the blossm tree in front of the main hall of Kitano tenmangu shrine today. The blossoms flew to Dazaifu gave birth to Goshinboku tree in Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine.

北野天満宮の吊り灯籠【2017】京都の雪景色 北野天満宮shinto priest in snow北野天満宮の吊り灯籠

Due to this story, there are about 1500 plum trees in Kitano Tenmangu shrine and we can see Baimon (crest of Ume) crest of the shrine anywhere in the shrine.

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The plum blossoms in Kitano Tenmangu shrine

Beni Wakon Bai 紅和魂梅

北野天満宮の紅和魂梅北野天満宮の梅 

The Goshinboku tree of Kitano Tenmangu shrine. Goshinboku is a tree Shinto Deity descends to. It is believed that the blossoms of it flew away to Michizane.

As you like おもいのまま

北野天満宮の梅 思いのまま北野天満宮の梅 おもいのまま

In one branch, there are pink and white flowers bloom at the same time.

北野天満宮おもいのまま

Some flowers have both colors on one flower.

Unryubai 雲龍梅

北野天満宮初梅2018北野天満宮の雲龍梅

Behind the main hall, there is a sub-shrine called Oimatsu sha. In front of it, there is a Unryu bai trees. Its zigzag branches reminds us of dragon. Dragon is a Deity of water in Japan. Unryu means “Dragon in crowd” and bai means “plum blossom.”

Kankobai 寒紅梅

【2017】京都の雪景色 北野天満宮【2017】北野天満宮の初梅

 

【2017】京都の雪景色 北野天満宮【2017】京都の雪景色 北野天満宮

In front of the ox, you’ll find them.

Tsukino katsura 月の桂

北野天満宮 月の桂北野天満宮 白梅

The most popular Ume in Kitano Tenmangu shrine. The first photo is Tsukuno Katsura and the other is Hakubai (white Ume). See the difference.

Kokubai 黒梅

北野天満宮 黒梅

It blooms in bright red.

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Places to enjoy plum blossoms

Around the main hall

北野天満宮の雲龍梅

Unryubai buds. Plum blossom has tiny buds usually.

北野天満宮の寒紅梅北野天満宮の寒紅梅

Kankobai in snow.  Plum blossoms in snow are so amazing. Especially red ones. I suppose we don’t expect snow in this winter.

北野天満宮の梅北野天満宮の梅北野天満宮の梅

Ume may look like all the same but they are different in color and the ways they bloom.

Baien garden

北野天満宮の梅苑北野天満宮の梅苑

北野天満宮の梅苑北野天満宮の梅

Kitano Tenmangu has a huge Baien garden. It is not open to public. We can pay a visit there only in February and March. In 2019, it will open in Feb. 8th. Every year, around the 2nd week of March is the best time to visit.

 

北野天満宮の梅苑北野天満宮梅苑の御茶菓子

Entrance fee is 700 yen.  In the tea house in the garden, Ume tea and Senbei are served. The entrance fee includes the bill of them.

北野天満宮梅苑お茶席メニュー

If you’d like, you can enjoy other foods and drinks.

北野天満宮の梅苑

There are benches to admire the blossoms in the garden.

 

北野天満宮の椿

You also enjoy Tsubaki, the Japanese camellia.

 

北野天満宮御土居の梅北野天満宮御土居の梅

In the area of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, there is debris of Odoi. Odoi was a kind of wall resembled river bank. It surrounded ancient Kyoto city.  There is a stream and many plum trees are planted along it.

The pink line indicates Baien.

Date Feb 8th~late March

Open hours:10 a.m.~16 p.m.

It is different from the open hour of Kitano Tenmangu shrine

Entrance fee  Adult(Over 13 years old: 700 yen Child: 350 yen

Website: Kitano Tenmangu official (English)

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Night illuminatiohn of Baien 梅苑ライトアップ

In 2018

北野天満宮梅苑ライトアップ北野天満宮梅苑ライトアップ

北野天満宮梅苑ライトアップ北野天満宮梅苑ライトアップ

Kitano Tenmangu has night illumination of plum blossoms. Kitano Tenmangu is the only place to admire the illumination of candles.

ヒヒヒ
ヒヒヒ

We cannot expect night illumination with candles any other places!

たけちよ
たけちよ

Be there virtually!

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Wadaiko performance

Today (March 2nd), Kitano Tenjin Taikokai dedicated their Japanese traditional drum performance to the Deity of Kitano Tenmangu shrine. Enjoy it!

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Chogoro mochi 長五郎餅

長五郎餅長五郎餅の火鉢

Near the East gate of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, there is a small tea house of Chogoro mochi. By March 25th, it opens on every weekend. Moch is rice cake. This Chogoro mochi was served at Kitano Daisanoe in 1587. It is a legendary tea party held by Toyotomi Hedeyoshi at Kitano Tenmangu shrine. With Macha, 580 yen. The tea house is so warm thanks to Hibachi (the second photo). The charcoal gives out heat.

長五郎餅本舗|京の都を楽しまれる皆様へくつろぎのひと時を
長五郎餅は太閤秀吉が開いた北野大茶会の際用いられたという由緒正しきお餅です。薄い餅皮に餡を包んだ上品な餅菓子です。店内でお茶と一緒にお召し上がり頂けます。また、発送可能な商品のご紹介もございます。是非、お試しくださいませ。
やぎももさん
やぎももさん

Sorry, Japanese language only!

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2019 Japanese Plums in Kitano tenmangu shrine

February 9th

雲龍梅照水梅

Unryubai in front of Oimatsu sha and Shosui bai over the ox (ウッシーくん) bloom well.

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How to get to Kitano Tenmangu shrine?


Kyoto city bus: Kitano Tenmangu mae bus stop.

Randen: Kitano Hakubaicho station

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About Kitano Tenmangu shrine

  • Phone 
  • Website Kitano Tenmangu official (English)
  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Open hours: 5:00-18:00
  • Baien opens: From February 8th
  • Night illumination: On week-ends (FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, and SUNDAYS) from February 22nd to March 17th.
  • Night illumination hours: Twilight~20:00