Mt. Iwara Plum Blossoms

Ume highlight a late winter nature hike

Tristan Scholze Feb 07, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Ume precede the more famous sakura, or cherry blossoms, by a month</p>

<p>Hear the clacking of a bamboo grove in the spring breeze near the trailhead</p>

<p>The trail winds through small, terraced rice fields on mountainsides</p>

<p>In another month, the fields will be flooded and planted with seedlings</p>

<p>An ume, or plum (apricot) blossom, reaches for the light</p>

<p>Plenty of beautiful flowers to appreciate</p>

<p>In Kyushu, spring can be seen when it feels like winter</p>

<p>Look closely around the path and you'll find beauty in small things</p>

<p>Budding green ready for a new growing season</p>

<p>Male pine cones, nearly ready to cast pollen</p>

<p>An unusual-looking female pine cone</p>

<p>This is a black-tipped leafhopper (Bothrogonia ferruginea), or tsumaguro-oo-yokobai in Japanese</p>

Even in late winter, beauty at the micro level can be found throughout Fukuoka’s countryside. February marks the coming of ume, or plum (apricot) blossoms here, bringing forth bursts of white, yellow, and pink. I took a drive toward the mountains southwest of Fukuoka City, wandering along the foothills until the road came to an end near Zuibai-ji, a small temple. There are several trails here, including ones to the peak, though I opted for the short nature walk on this day. Also in the vicinity are Zuibaiji Dam and a campground with cabins for rent, Zuibaiji Yama no Ie.

井原山自然歩道—Iwarayama Shizen Hodou—Mt. Iwara Nature Path
瑞梅寺—Zuibaiji—Zuibai Temple

Tristan Scholze @tristan.scholze

I'm also known as Faer Out. I love learning about people and nature. I've traveled around the world and throughout Japan, and I hope to continue seeing and experiencing the wonder of this planet as long as I live.Based in Japan for nearly two decades, I'm a Japan Travel expert for Fukuoka and Sag...