<p>One of the trees was in full bloom already</p>

One of the trees was in full bloom already (Photo: Mandy Bartok)

Early Plum Blossoms in Ikegami

A plum garden near Tokyo's Ikegami Temple

Mandy Bartok Jan 31, 2016 - 1 min read

<p>One of the trees was in full bloom already</p>

<p>White blossoms make an excellent contrast against a blue sky</p>

<p>Sunlight filters through the few early blooming plum trees</p>

<p>A rest house at the top of the garden</p>

<p>The garden looks a bit bare now but will be in full bloom around the end of February</p>

<p>Beyond the plum grove lies a small traditional garden with several tea houses</p>

<p>Over 370 trees cover the hillside</p>

The plum garden on the outskirts of Ikegami Honmonji Temple is one of Tokyo's top spots for early spring blossoms and this year, the unusually warm weather has seen a number of trees already in bloom by the end of January. The garden (also labeled as Ikegami Baien) boasts 370 plum trees of thirty varieties, causing the grounds to burst forth in hues of white, pink and deep red.

Admission is ¥100 and the garden is most easily reached in a short walk from Nishi-Magome Station on the Toei Asakusa Line.

Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok

Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.