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ميه· Plum Grove Park
Plum Grove Parks (Bairin-koen) is the collective name for Mie Prefecture's plum-blossom destinations, most notably Yuki Shrine in Tsu City (about 300 trees including weeping plums over 300 years old) and Inabe City Agricultural Park's plum grove (about 4,500 trees, the largest in the Tokai region). From mid-February through early March, red, white, and weeping plums bloom in succession, heralding spring earlier than cherry blossoms. Yuki Shrine, an old shrine venerating the Nanboku-cho-era loyalist Munehiro Yuki, has been celebrated in poetry as a plum-viewing site, while Inabe's grove unfolds a patchwork carpet of white and pink across its hillsides.
Highlights
- Yuki Shrine Plum Grove (Tsu) — about 300 trees, including weeping plums over 300 years old, paired with shrine architecture
- Inabe Agricultural Park Plum Grove — the largest in the Tokai region with about 4,500 trees forming a patchwork of white and pink across the hills
- Weeping Plums — among plum varieties, the most painterly; flower clusters dropping nearly to the ground photograph spectacularly
- Suzuka no Mori Garden — over 200 weeping plums, with magical illumination in March
- Yukiwa and Yae-zaki Varieties — many cultivars mingle, offering gradients of red, white, and pale pink
Quick Answers
What are Plum Grove Parks?
A collective term for Mie Prefecture's plum destinations — including Yuki Shrine in Tsu (300+ trees with weeping plums over 300 years old), Inabe Agricultural Park (Tokai's largest at 4,500 trees), and Suzuka no Mori Garden. From mid-February to early March, plums bloom before cherry blossoms, marking the earliest spring.
When is peak bloom?
Mid-February to early March. Early- and late-blooming cultivars overlap, so late February offers the widest variety. Cold spells can delay bloom — check the official forecasts for each park before visiting.
Access?
Yuki Shrine: 20 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Tsu Station. Inabe Plum Grove Park: 15 minutes by car from Kintetsu Agaki Station (with shuttle buses during the festival). A rental car is recommended for visiting both in a day.
Festival fees and perks?
Yuki Shrine Plum Festival (early Feb–mid Mar): adults ¥500, elementary school ¥300. Tea service and matcha in plum-themed bowls (¥500 extra). Inabe Plum Grove Festival (late Feb–mid Mar): adults ¥500, students ¥200; night illumination days have separate pricing. Photography is allowed; commercial use requires pre-approval.
Recommended shooting techniques?
①Macro (90mm) for blossom detail ②Telephoto 70–200mm to compress overlapping branches ③Wide 16–35mm for the whole grove with sky ④Borrowed scenery using shrine buildings or mountains. Overcast saturates color; sunny days highlight branch silhouettes. Post-rain water-drop shots and dawn pairings with Japanese white-eye and brown-eared bulbul birds are ideal.
What's special about Suzuka no Mori Garden?
A private garden specializing in over 200 weeping plums, open just 20 days each March (period varies yearly), admission ¥1,500. Multiple century-old «finest weeping plums in Japan» trees; night illumination (additional fee) shows blossoms floating in darkness. Photography etiquette is strict (early-bird priority entry available for photographers).
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