Plum blossoms are in full bloom earlier than usual in various parts of Kyoto and Shiga. At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, the grounds are decorated with bright red, white, and pink flowers, captivating visitors.
The plum garden ''Flower Garden'' has about 1,500 plum trees of about 50 different varieties. This year, perhaps due to the warm winter, the flowers bloomed about 10 days earlier than in previous years. According to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, the buds of the late-blooming varieties are already swollen and evenly colored.
A 54-year-old woman who was enjoying the view from the observation deck said, ''It's beautiful, with all the colors mixed together and like a sea of plum blossoms.''
It will be open to the public until late March. It will be illuminated after sunset on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from February 23rd to March 17th. Admission fee required.
