🗺️ Atami Plum Garden

This urban park was originally the Ume Garden established by Yokohama entrepreneur Mogi Sōbei in the 19th year of the Meiji era (1886). The park spans approximately 44,000 square meters along the Hatsukawa River and is home to 60 varieties and 469 ume trees, including ancient trees over a hundred years old. The first ume blossoms bloom from late November to early December each year, renowned as "the earliest ume blossoms in Japan." From January to March, early-blooming, mid-blooming, and late-blooming ume flowers bloom in succession, coinciding with the ume blossom season, during which the "Atami Ume Garden Ume Blossom Festival" is held from early January to early March. The year 2024 marks the 80th edition of this traditional event, which celebrates the arrival of early spring in Atami and is widely loved by the public. In addition to ume blossoms, the park also features cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in early summer, fireflies, and autumn foliage, allowing visitors to enjoy the enchanting scenery of Japan's four seasons throughout the year. Among these, the autumn leaves are particularly famous for being "the latest red leaves in Japan." The "Atami Ume Garden Autumn Foliage Festival," held from mid-November to early December, features nighttime illuminations that attract a large number of visitors.

Plum blossoms bloom in the order of early, mid, and late, extending the viewing period. One can enjoy the distinct natural scenery of the four seasons, including plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and autumn leaves. The beauty of the illuminated autumn leaves during the Momiji Matsuri (紅葉祭) is definitely worth seeing.