Spectacular Suzuka Forest Garden

When spring comes, it is usually associated with sakura or cherry blossoms. However, do you know that there is also a beautiful and often under appreciated blooms during this season? These are ume or plums. They usually bloom in February and last until late March. These trees have been associated with the arrival of spring and good fortune. (And I can personally attest to this! Not only did I get a favorable news while sauntering around this garden but also got an absolute one of a kind experience seeing these ethereal weeping plum trees. It was no doubt a breathtaking view!) 

Suzuka Forest Garden is home to 200 weeping plum trees which is one of the largest plum gardens in Japan. It is in Suzuka City in Mie Prefecture. The entrance fee changes depending on the date and flowering conditions. (When we went there on the third week of March, the entrance fee was raised to 1,700 yen for adults.) 

The Ten no Ryu and Chi no Ryu kureha-shidare trees, picture above, are both 100 years old, and said to be the oldest kureha-shidare (weeping plum) tree in Japan. Actually, this garden was created for the purpose of preserving Japanese traditional techniques for growing plums. They are managed by skilled gardeners. 

Plum trees bloom in cold weather and lose their flowers when the weather starts to warm. Plum trees' flowers have round-tipped petals, which typically come in five or multi-petal varieties, whereas the petals of cherry blossoms are oval and have a small notch on the top of each one. The ume flowers grow directly from the branch, not on stems like sakura, which is why the plum trees are more subdued.  

From vivid pink to white, these plum blossoms in pale pastel color are soothing to see. They flourish beautifully and those hanging branches are a sight to behold! It's magical! 

The Suzuka Forest Garden Plum Festival is held annually. The best time to view these magical garden is on the third week of March. If you come on the last week, most probably the petals are covering the ground like pink carpets already. There also a number of food stalls in the garden that sell soba noodles to miso dango. My son enjoyed it!  

And don't forget to view the light up! I have no picture to show but I assure you it is worth it! 

At exactly, 6pm, when the lights went up, everyone literally hold their breath upon seeing the garden.  

All photos are mine. 

Address: Mie Pref. Suzukashi Yamamotochou 151-2