Bunkyo Ume Matsuri (Plum Festival) 文京梅まつり

The Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival takes place at Yushima Tenmangu (also known as Yushima Tenjin), a shrine that's been known as a spot for plum blossom-viewing for hundreds of years. The shrine has approximately 300 plum trees that are spectacular in bloom, many of them with the white blossom of the Shirokaga variety.

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine is also a popular spot for students wishing to pass exams, because Sugawara no Michizane—an ancient scholar who became revered as the Shinto deity of learning—is enshrined here. Sugawara, upon his exile to the remote region of Kyushu, wrote a famous poem about his beloved plum blossoms at home. "When the east wind blows, flourish in full bloom, you plum blossoms! Even though you lose your master, don't be oblivious to spring."

The plum blossoms are typically at their peak in the second half of February. Check the blossom forecast on the official website before your visit.