![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/umenomiya1-600x311-1.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAbout 450 plum trees bloom in the shrine garden and grounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
However, even the written history about the shrine\u2019s founding does not mention plum trees, so the reason for its link to plum blossoms is unclear. Plum trees are planted all around the grounds, such as in the shrine garden and in front of the main gate . Among temples and shrines in Kyoto, it has the second-largest number of plum trees after Kitano Tenmangu\u2014about 450 in total\u2014so it\u2019s highly recommended for enjoying plum blossoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, the grounds reach their best time in late February, and red and white plum blossoms bloom until mid-March. Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know there is a quiet plum grove at the foot of the hills in Oharano, Nishikyo Ward? In the far distance, you can see a wide view of southern Kyoto City, including Fushimi-Momoyama Castle and Kyoto Tower. Some early trees usually start blooming from January, but the whole area reaches its best time after March begins. Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Kyoto, when people talk about a Tenmangu shrine with name recognition second only to Kitano Tenmangu, Nagaoka Tenmangu often comes to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not as large as Kitano Tenmangu, but it is still one of Kyoto\u2019s well-known plum blossom spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next to Nagaoka Tenmangu, Nagaoka Park has a plum garden with about 140 trees of 20 varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only in the plum garden of Nagaoka Park, but also around the grounds of Nagaoka Tenmangu, plum trees are planted in many places. Visitor Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the year, plum blossoms are the next most popular after cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. However, compared with cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, there is not much information about plum blossoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But MK Taxi sightseeing drivers have a lot of knowledge about plum blossoms, too. For sightseeing in Kyoto, leave it to MK\u2019s chartered sightseeing taxi.<\/strong>
Still, since it is called \u201cUmemiya\u201d Taisha, the shrine\u2019s sacred flower is the plum blossom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/umenomiya2-600x400-1.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/umenomiya3-600x311-1.webp\")
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From mid-March, the later-blooming weeping plum trees start to open, so even after the red and white plums fall, the best season continues until late March.
There are also about 50 kinds of camellias on the grounds, and you can enjoy them in the same season as the plum blossoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Shobo-ji Temple (Nishikyo Ward) | Early to mid-March<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/syoubouji1-450x600-1.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA plum grove spreads out on a spot that looks down over the Kyoto Basin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shobo-ji Temple has about 100 plum trees, with wide views over the Kyoto Basin behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a view that feels different from other plum groves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/syoubouji3-600x338-1.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Red and white plum blossoms bloom beautifully in full glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine (Nagaokakyo City) | Early to mid-March<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The plum garden in Nagaoka Park has about 140 plum trees of 20 varieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/nagaoka2-600x450-1.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/nagaoka6-600x400-1.webp\")
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Especially, the plum trees in front of the main hall are called \u201cSakon no Koubai (red plum)\u201d and \u201cUkon no Hakubai (white plum).\u201d
In the past, in front of the Shishinden Hall at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the trees planted were \u201cSakon no Ume (plum)\u201d and \u201cUkon no Tachibana (mandarin orange).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We introduced four places this time, but each driver also has their own personal recommendations.
They can guide you not only in Kyoto, but across the Kansai region as well. With an MK sightseeing charter taxi, you can enjoy Kyoto\u2019s plum blossoms to the fullest.
Why not try a different kind of Kyoto trip with a professional guide and driver?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your private driver is a Kyoto expert who handles both transport and guiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mktaxi-japan.com\/kyoto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/\u30d0\u30ca\u30fc\u8cb8\u5207\u89b3\u5149E-1.png\")
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