Plum blossoms bloom in February and March when the weather is still cold, heralding the arrival of spring.
Here are some of the best plum blossom viewing spots in the KOBE, Nishinomiya and Takarazuka area.
Okamoto Plum Blossom Park, overlooking the city of Kobe
There are about 130 plum trees of 21 species planted on a hill in Okamoto, with a great view. You can enjoy the plum blossoms while overlooking the city.
This plum grove park is famous for its beautiful plum blossoms, so much so that it was once called “Okamoto for plum blossoms and Yoshino for cherry blossoms”.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
6-6-8, Okamoto, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Access
8-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe Line Okamoto Station
Hokura Plum Grove, Recommended for hiking
This plum grove was planted on Mt. Hokura in 1975 by the residents of the ward in the hope of reviving the plum grove in Okamoto.
It is located about 30 minutes further uphill on foot from Okamoto Park, and is also popular as a hiking course. Enjoy the spectacular view of plum blossoms and Osaka Bay below.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
Motoyama-cho Tanabe, Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Access
30-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe Line Okamoto Station
Kitano Tenma Shrine, a shrine in the sky
Kitano Tenma Shrine is located up the hill from the beautiful Kitano Ijinkan Street lined with foreign residences.
The plum blossom garden on the hill behind the shrine is known as one of the best plum blossom spots in Kobe, and is decorated with many plum blossoms, especially white plum blossoms. From the observatory in the plum grove, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Kobe and the Port of Kobe.
*100 yen entrance fee required.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
3-12-1, Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Access
20-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe Line Kobe-sannomiya Station
20-minute walk from Hanshin Main Line Kobe-Sannomiya Station
Kobe Suma Rikyu Park, many varieties of plum trees
From the early-blooming varieties of Yaekankou and Gyokubotan to the late-blooming varieties of Bungo, 160 plum trees of about 25 varieties bloom one after another in a relay-like pattern for about a month.
At the same time, daffodils and rape blossoms blooming at our feet add color to the scene.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
1-1, Higashisuma, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Access
From Kobe kosoku Line Shinkaichi Station,
transfer over to the Sanyo Electric Railway and go to Tsukimiyama Station.
It's a 10-minute walk from there.
Koto Plum Grove, a plum variety unique to Kobe
The plum orchard is a remnant of a place where orchards used to be spread out.
There are 200 plum trees of 39 different varieties, including red and white plum trees, some of which are more than 100 years old, and they begin to bloom at the end of January every year and reach their best in early February.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
2-11-66, Kamikotoen, Nishinomiya, Hyogo
Access
11-minute walk from Hankyu Imazu Line Kotoen Station
Nakayamadera Temple, guarded by the Goddess of Mercy
In the precincts of Nakayamadera Temple, which is famous for praying for safe delivery and childbirth, there is a garden where you can admire the carefully tended plum blossoms.
The plum grove in the garden, which is located on a hillside, is filled with colorful plum blossoms and attracts many visitors every year.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
2-11-1, Nakayamadera, Takarazuka, Hyogo
Access
Right by Hankyu Takarazuka Line Nakayama-kannon Station
