🗺️ Takaō Ume-gō (Takaō Plum Village)高尾梅郷

Takao Plum Village consists of eight major plum groves, starting from the Kamikuzutani Bridge that crosses the old Koshu Highway: the Plum Grove at the Checkpoint, the Tenjin Plum Grove, the Arai Plum Grove, the Yunohana Plum Grove, the Zoshiji Plum Grove, the Kinoshita Plum Grove, and the Kobutsu Plum Grove. Walking the entire route takes about one and a half hours. Approximately 10,000 plum trees bloom from mid-February to mid-March each year, with red and white plums blossoming together, creating a captivating sight. During the peak blooming period, the entire area is filled with the rich fragrance of plum blossoms, attracting many visitors who come to enjoy the scenery. The most popular plum grove is the "Kinoshita Plum Grove," characterized by plum trees scattered across the hillside, allowing visitors to enjoy both the beauty of the blossoms and the pleasure of hiking. This plum grove is specially opened during the plum blossom season in March. The "Takao Plum Village Plum Festival" is held during the flowering season, featuring various activities across multiple plum groves, drawing large crowds and creating a lively atmosphere. The dates for the 2025 festival are set for March 8 and 9, during which various activities will take place, including an outdoor tea ceremony with matcha and guqin performances, allowing everyone to fully experience the early spring ambiance.

Along the old Koshu Highway, there are several plum groves distributed within a range of about 4.5 kilometers, collectively known as "Takaosan Plum Village." Approximately 10,000 plum trees bloom from mid-February to mid-March, showcasing their best viewing scenery. Since there are no parking lots near the plum groves, it is recommended to use public transportation to get there. The roads around the plum groves are mainly residential, so please be sure to walk in a single file to avoid disturbing the daily lives of local residents.