If you are looking for a huge plum grove in a rural area, consider visiting Aodani Bairin (青谷梅林). With 10,000 plums planted in the 20-hectare land, it is the most enormous plum grove in Kyoto Prefecture. Around 20,000 people would visit the plum grove every year. The plum varieties at Aodani Bairin are mostly white plums. So, during the plum blossom season, the forest would almost look like a big white cloth covering it. Walking in and around the plum grove means the sweet scent of flowers will surround you.
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If you read Japanese, refer to the Official Pamphlet for more information about Aodani Bairin and the plums produced here.
About Aodani Bairin
Jōyō City has long been known as a plum spot since the Kamakura period. It is so famous that Prince Munenaga (宗良親王), who was a renowned poet and the son of Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇), wrote a waka poem for the plums here. In fact, there has been a catchphrase: Spring starts from Jōyō (春は城陽から) in the region!
In the Edo period, ebony plums were produced at Aodani Bairin for dye. As natural dyes were replaced by artificial counterparts in the late 19th century, plums from Aodani Bairin were used to make pickled plums and plum wine. In 1898, The Aodani Bairin Preservation Association (青谷梅林保勝会) was established to attract tourists across the country. So, many waka poets and those in the literary world visited the plum grove until the WWII stroke.
Unlike most other plum spots in Kyoto, the plums here are planted for the purpose of producing plums. So, these trees are looked after by around 50 plum farmers. Jōyō City produces over 160 tons of plums each year. Because the plums produce the most fruit when they are between 10 and 25 years old, old trees can hardly be found at Aodani Bairin.
Jōshūhaku (城州白) is the main variety of plum at Aodani Bairin. The large fruit with thick flesh and a rich peach-like aroma characterizes it.
Aodani Bairin During the Plum Blossom Season
Because the plums are private properties, Aodani Bairin isn’t open to the public except for the plum blossom season from late February to mid-March. In addition, only a part of the forest can be accessible. That said, taking photos with the plums by the fence is possible.
The Aodani Bairin is roughly divided into two parts: the plum grove in the Naka area (中) in the north and the forest in the Ichibe area (市辺) in the south, west of Ichibe Tenman Shrine (市辺天満神社). As most people would gather in the north, checking out the plums in the south is also a good idea.
Moreover, various plum specialties, such as plum wine and plum-flavored light meals, are on sale at the temporary stalls in the plum blossom festival venue in Naka Tenman Shrine (中天満神社).
Furthermore, don’t stop your visit to the shrine. Climb up the low mountain to the summit from Naka Tenmangū. The observation deck is a recommended spot for a panoramic view of the plain in southern Kyoto. In the early morning, you can expect to see a spectacular view of the pale mist rising from the Kizugawa River (木津川).
- In 2024, Aodani Bairin Plum Blossom Festival was held from the 23rd of February to the 10th of March from 10 am to 3 pm.
- Refer to HERE for the 2024 Aodani Bairin Plum Blossom Festival Flyer.
- Concerts and other events are held on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival period.
- During the plum blossom festival, a temporary car park with a capacity of 140 cars is available.
How to Get to Aodani Bairin
- Aodani Bairin is around a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from JR Yamashiro-Aodani Station (山城青谷駅).
- During the plum blossom festival, a temporary car park of capacity of 140 cars is available.
Discover Other Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Regardless the overtourism problem, Kyoto is undoubtably Japan’s most popular tourist destination. If you plan to visit Kyoto in early spring, there are several spots for you to add to your itinerary to enjoy the seasonal flower, plum blossoms! While the view created by the plum flowers may be less awe-inspiring than the cherry blossoms due to the volumes, the elegant fragrance will make your visit more pleasant.
For more information, refer to our article on The Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto!
