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 taking a short trip to visit the plum blossom spots in Amagasaki.
Amagasaki’s Top Plum Blossom Spots
- Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park (尼崎城址公園)
- Naniwa Kumano Shrine (なにわ熊野神社)
- Yomogawa Ryokuchi Green Space (蓬川緑地)
- Amagasaki City Agricultural Park (尼崎市農業公園)
Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park (尼崎城址公園)
Just a 5-minute walk from Hanshin’s Amagasaki Station (阪神尼崎駅), Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park is the most easily accessible spot in the city for plum blossom. While there is only 22 plums planted, it is the perfect spot where you can take photos of the gorgeous flowers with the castle between mid-February and early/mid-March. In addition, you can transform yourself into the lord of the castle or a princess at the castle park! Ninja customs are available, too!
The 12 red plums and 10 white plums can be found at the northern part of Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park. The plum grove is close to the playground equipment.
For more information, refer to our Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park article!
Naniwa Kumano Shrine (なにわ熊野神社)
Unlike the Tenmangū shrines in Japan, the gods enshrined at Naniwa Kumano Shrine have nothing to do with plum blossoms. But, the shrine has a plum-related legend. Nowadays, there are around 70 plums of 24 varieties in the precinct. The plum blossom season is usually from late February to early March, and a plum blossom festival is held here.
Refer to our Naniwa Kumano Shrine article for more information!
Yomogawa Ryokuchi Green Space (蓬川緑地)
With over 1,000 cherry trees planted, Yomogawa Ryokuchi is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Hyōgo Prefecture. In early spring, cherry blossom tunnels are formed at both banks of the Yomo River (蓬川) and attract many visitors to appreciate the stunning scene each year. But what many people aren’t aware of is that there is also a plum grove and a rose garden along the river.
If you are a railfan, stop by the Yomogawa Park for the old Hanshin tram (路面電車71形74号) that used to serve the area.
Among the cherry blossoms, the 30 plums usually bloom between mid to late February.
The rose garden is at the south end of Yomogawa Ryokuchi. The best time to enjoy the 800 roses of 30 varieties is from the end of April to mid-May and from the end of October to early November.
Miyauchi Park (宮内公園)
There is a plum grove in Miyauchi Park, a residential area against Yomogawa Ryokuchi. The small house was originally a private residence. It was renovated into a tea house, and the rest of the residence was turned into a Japanese garden-style park. Don’t underestimate the tea house. It was constructed by professionals from Kyoto.
Around 15 plums are planted in the garden area and usually reach full bloom between mid to late February. During the plum blossom season, the Amagasaki Kanbai Tea Ceremony (尼崎観梅茶会) is often held at the tea house by the local high school’s tea ceremony club.
In 2024, a plum event (季節の花散策 梅花) was held at Miyauchi Park between 10 am and 11:30 am on February 18th. The park’s plums were introduced to the visitors, and plum juice was served.
How to Get to Yomogawa Ryokuchi
- Miyauchi Park is a 5-minute walk from (出屋敷駅).
- You can also take a Hanshin Bus route 50 bound for Hanshin Deyashiki (阪神出屋敷) from JR Tachibana Station (立花駅) and get off at Yomogawa Kōen (蓬川公園).
Amagasaki City Agricultural Park (尼崎市農業公園)
The spot in Amagasaki City that is most suitable for families to adore flowers is Amagasaki City Agricultural Park. Different kinds of flowers are planted in the 3.7-hectare park, making it the perfect place for picnics on a sunny day.
Besides plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, peonies, irises, cosmos, roses, sunflowers, and more bloom one after another on the garden beds.
In addition, from early April to early June, farmers markets are usually held (not every day) for visitors to purchase fresh vegetables, Japanese mixed rice, oden, flowers, and more.
Amagasaki City Agricultural Park’s Flowering Calendar
- The 120 plum trees in Amagasaki City Agricultural Park bloom from early February to mid-March, and the season usually peaks between late February and early March.
- In 2024, the Amagasaki City Agricultural Park Plum Blossom Festival (梅まつり) was held on March 2nd from 10 am to 2 pm. Besides the food stalls, several activities were also available for visitors to join.
- Cherry blossoms: late March to mid-April
- Rape blossoms: late March to late April
- Peonies and Wisteria: late April to early May
- The 2,000 roses of 100 varieties bloom between early May to mid-June and mid-October to late November.
- The 20,000 of 30 varieties of irises bloom from early to late June.
- Sunflowers: mid-July to early August
- Cosmos: late October to mid-November
How to Get to Amagasaki City Agricultural Park
- Amagasaki City Agricultural Park is a 20-minute walk from JR Inadera Station (猪名寺駅).
- You can also take Hanshin Bus route 20 bounds for Higashi Sonoda (東園田) from the station’s east exit and get off at Tanou-nishi (田能西), and walk for 5 minutes.
- You can also take the same bus but bound for JR Inadera Station from Hankyu’s Sonoda Station (園田駅) north exit.
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe
Kobe City also has a couple of places where you can see the plum blossoms. As most of them are close to a train station, you can easily stop by one of them as you explore other parts of Kobe. If you like hot spring, the renowned hot spring town in Kobe, Arima Onsen, also has two places for you to appreciate the flowers.
So, refer to our article on the Guide to the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe and start planning!
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!
