Best Kyoto Spots for Ume Flower Viewing: Kitano Tenmangū, Jōnangū, and Umenomiya Taisha

A banner hanging from the left of the torii announces that ume are in bloom at Kitano Tenmangū.

A flowering ume spreads its blooms over a stone statue of a reclining ox, near the shrine’s Treasure House.

Ume make a beautiful contrast against the Treasure House.

White umeu bloom in front of the Sankōmon, an Important Cultural Property.

The beniwakonbai in bloom in front of the Main Hall, a building designated a National Treasure.

The sweet scent of ume means that spring is near.

Jōnangū, protector shrine of Kyoto’s southern approaches.

The artistically laid-out Haru no Yama garden, with a stream, garden stones, and weeping trees in bloom.

The overlapping branches of weeping ume create a curtain of different shades of pink.

Moss carpeted with fallen ume petals attracts many who come especially for this sight when the flowers are past their peak.

A mossy carpet, with camellias and ume adding color.

Delicate white ume bloom in front of Serikawa Tenmangū.

Votive tablets with a play on the word ume to pray for children and safe childbirth.

Red and white plum blossoms in front of the Rōmon.

Umenomiya Taisha is the protector of sake brewers; large sake barrels are visible atop the Rōmon.

Ume in full bloom next to the shrine’s Worship Hall.

Benches await visitors near the hyakudo ishi.

The entrance to the shrine gardens. Admission is ¥550 for adults and ¥350 for children.

There are 450 Japanese apricot trees belonging to 35 species in the shrine precincts, including in the gardens.