News On Japan

Odawara Ume Festival: Early Blooms Mark the Arrival of Spring

Kanagawa, Feb 03 (News On Japan) - The annual Odawara Plum Festival is a sign that spring has arrived early this year in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, with white plum blossoms already at their peak as of Risshun (the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar) on February 4th.

Soga Bairin, Odawara’s plum grove, has kicked off its traditional Plum Festival. The Soga area, known for its plum production since the Warring States period, has opened its groves to share the delicate beauty of white plum blossoms with visitors.

With approximately 35,000 trees, this year's bloom has started early due to the warm winter weather.

The Plum Festival will continue until February 29th, offering visitors a chance to indulge in the early arrival of spring amidst the historic and picturesque plum groves of Odawara.

Source: ANN

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