The Bunkyo Plum Festival, one of Bunkyo’s Five Major Flower Festivals, will be held starting Sunday, February 8th, at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, which is bustling with visitors praying for academic success and exam passing.
Photo: Bunkyo Plum Festival
Yushima Tenmangu enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning who deeply loved plum blossoms. Known as a plum blossom spot since the Edo period, the shrine has held its plum festival since 1958 (Showa 33). Its popularity has grown with each passing year.
The grounds feature approximately 300 plum trees, primarily white varieties. Various events will be held, including outdoor tea ceremonies (nodate), product exhibitions, and the Shiraume Taiko drum performance. After sunset, the grounds are illuminated, offering a different charm from the daytime experience to enjoy the nighttime plum blossoms.
The 69th Bunkyo Plum Festival
📍 Yushima Tenmangu Shrine (3-30-1 Yushima, Bunkyo Ward)
👉Official Website
🚇Approx. 2 min walk from Yushima Station Exit 3, approx. 5 min walk from Ueno-Hirokoji Station Exit A4, approx. 10 min walk from Hongo-Sanchome Station