Most international tourists would visit Hyōgo Prefecture for Kobe. While the port city can be easily accessed from Osaka or Kyoto, the tourist attractions are usually packed, especially during the flowering seasons. So, exploring other parts of the prefecture would be a great idea if you don’t want to be pushed around. While some of them can be harder to get to, your effort will be worth it!
The Plum Blossom Spots in Hyōgo Prefecture
- Nakayama-dera (中山寺)
- The Plum Blossom Spots in Amagasaki City
- The Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe
- The Top Plum Blossom Spots on Awaji Island
- The Plum Blossom Spots in Akashi City
- Ōnaka-iseki Park (大中遺跡)
- Sone Tenmangū Shrine (曽根天満宮)
- Sanda Tenman Shrine (三田天満神社)
- Mitoro Fruits Park (加古川市見土呂フルーツパーク)
- The Plum Blossom Spots in Tatsuno City
- Zuiganji Temple (増位山随願寺)
Nakayama-dera (中山寺)
Close to Kobe in Takarazuka City, Nakayama-dera is another well-known plum blossom spot in the region. The temple has long been known for granting child-related prayers, including safe delivery. Escalators and elevators are in the temple, making it easy for expected mothers and wheelchair users.
The plum blossom season at Nakayama Kannon Park (中山観音公園) usually peaks between late February and mid-March. On the first Sunday in March, a Plum Festival (梅まつり) is held.
Refer to our Nakayama-dera article for more information about the temple and blooming flowers from spring to summer!
The Plum Blossom Spots in Amagasaki City
Amagasaki is an industrial city in western Hyōgo Prefecture. While its tourist attractions aren’t mainstream, it is the closest city to Osaka. Especially if you plan to stay around Osaka/Umeda Station in February, we highly recommend visiting the plum blossom spots in Amagasaki.
For more information, refer to our article on the Top Plum Blossom Spots in Amagasaki City!
Kōtō Plum Grove (甲東梅林)
Next to Kōtō Community Center (甲東公民館) in Nishinomiya City, there is a plum grove filled with 200 plums of 39 varieties. As many of them are over 100 years old, the flowers on these large trees are dense. So, if you visit Kōtō Plum Grove during the plum blossoms season, you won’t be disappointed!
After Shibakawa Mataemon (芝川又右衛門), who ran a trading business in Osaka, bought a mast piece of land in 1884 and turned the spot into an orchard. Cherry and plum blossoms and maple trees were also planted. In 1947, the plum trees were relocated to the current location due to the construction of a local high school. In 1997, the orchard was developed into a plum grove. The flowers bloom from late January to early March.
- The plum blossom season at Kōtō Plum Grove usually peaks between late February and early March.
- The plum grove is accessible from 9 am to sunset.
- In 2024, the Kōtō Plum Grove and Kōtō Cultural Festival was held from February 16 to March 4.
- On weekends, amazake (a traditional sweet, low-alcohol, or non-alcoholic Japanese drink made from fermented rice) and other snacks are available for purchase.
Tip: Refer to the Plum Flowering Condition on the official website to plan your visit.
How to Get to Kōtō Plum Grove
Kōtō Plum Grove is a 10-minute walk from Hankyu’s Kōtō-en Station (甲東園駅).
The Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe
Kobe City has a couple of places where you can see plum blossoms. Most of them are close to a train station, so you can easily stop by one as you explore other parts of Kobe. If you like hot springs, the renowned hot spring town in Kobe, Arima Onsen, also has two places where you can appreciate the flowers.
So, refer to our article on the Guide to the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe and start planning!
The Top Plum Blossom Spots on Awaji Island
While not as famous as Kobe, Awaji Island, across the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, is one of the top tourist destinations in Hyōgo Prefecture. Many visit the island for the stunning scenery. In addition, the island has a few plum blossoms.
So, refer to our Top Plum Blossom Spots on Awaji Island for more information!
The Plum Blossom Spots in Akashi City
Akashi City, west of Kobe, is best known for the magnificent Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island. But what many aren’t aware of is that the city also has a few plum blossom spots worth a visit from late February to mid-March.
So, how about stopping by these spots on your way to other tourist attractions in Hyōgo Prefecture? For more information, refer to our article on the Plum Blossom Spots in Akashi City!
Ōnaka-iseki Park (大中遺跡)
If you like visiting museums and historical sites, Ōnaka-iseki Park is the perfect spot to appreciate the plum blossoms and the historical site from approximately 1900 years ago.
The 30 plum blossoms at Ōnaka-iseki Park and the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology usually bloom between late February and mid-March. The locals picnic in the plum grove when the flowers are in full bloom!
Refer to our article on Ōnaka-iseki Park for more information!
Sone Tenmangū Shrine (曽根天満宮)
Sone Tenmangū, enshrining Sugawara no Michizane, is the spot that proves Michizane was wrongly demoted for a crime he didn’t commit. In addition to the pine that is the shrine’s symbol, around 200 plums of 40 varieties bloom between late February and mid-March.
Refer to our Sone Tenmangū for more information!
Sanda Tenman Shrine (三田天満神社)
Like other Tenman shrines in Japan, the Sanda Tenman Shrine has Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真) as the main god. His favorite flower, plum blossom, is thus planted in the precinct. In fact, the 200-year-old plum isn’t just another plum on the street. The plum is called Tobi-Ume (飛び梅), the same plum as the one in Fukuoka‘s Dazaifu Tenman-gū. 100 white and red plums and cherry blossoms can also be found at Tenjin Park next to Sanda Tenman Shrine. The plums usually bloom between mid-February and early March. In addition, the shrine holds a baby sumo competition each year!
Refer to our Sanda Tenman Shrine article for more information!
Mitoro Fruits Park (加古川市見土呂フルーツパーク)
If you want to spend a couple of hours at a rural site admiring the plum blossoms between mid-February and mid-March, Mitoro Fruits Park in Kakogawa City is the perfect spot. Rape blossoms are also planted in the 12,000 square meter plum grove, making the scenery more stunning!
In addition, a farmer’s market is held on the fourth Sunday of the month. You can also enjoy fruit picking and camping here.
Refer to our Mitoro Fruits Park article for more information!
Zuiganji Temple (増位山随願寺)
If you plan to visit Himeji in early spring, stop by Zuiganji. The oldest Tendai sect temple in the southern Hyōgo Prefecture has a plum grove. Besides the cultural properties, you see the elegant Himeji Castle from the plum grove. Using a professional camera, a picture of the castle with plum blossoms as the frame is also possible!
The plum blossom season at Zuiganji is usually from mid-February to early March and peaks between late February and early March.
Refer to our Zuiganji Temple article for more information!
The Plum Blossom Spots in Tatsuno City
Tatsuno City, located in the southwestern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, is home to two of Kansai region‘s best plum blossom spots. While getting there is more than just a train ride from the region’s main cities, the two spots below are the best places to visit for a glimpse of spring in advance.
Apart from the plum blossoms, there are also rapes blossoms at the foot of the mountain!
For more information, refer to our Guide to Tatsuno City’s Plum Blossom Spots article!
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Osaka
We are sure Hyōgo Prefecture is one of many destinations you will visit in the Kansai region. Osaka Prefecture, for example, has many plum groves awaiting you to discover, too. If you fly into Osaka, there are a few plum blossom spots close to the Kansai Airport!
So, refer to our article on the Plum Blossom Posts in Osaka to plan your trip!
