Five Flowery Spring Blossoms in Mie

The arrival of spring paints Mie Prefecture in a tapestry of colors. As the season awakens, it is not merely cherry blossoms that steal the spotlight. A symphony of vibrant blossoms grace the landscape and Mie blooms to reveal nature’s finest artistry, with plum blossoms and striking canola flowers also joining the seasonal celebration. To guide you through this floral spectacle, here are five of the best places to witness the magic of spring in Mie.

Written by Jason Daniels

１．Inabe Plum Grove: Plum Blossoms

Nestled in Inabe City Agricultural Park, this 38-hectare plum grove boasts plum trees and a garden filled with flowering plum blossoms. Relish the spectacle of white, cherry-red, pink, and red hues from the viewing platform. Not only are plum blossoms aesthetically pleasing, but their sweet fragrance also announces the arrival of spring. A lively plum festival typically adds to the charm of the park from late February.

２．Suzuka Forest Garden: Plum Blossoms

In 2014, Suzuka Forest Garden blossomed as Japan’s top weeping plum garden. Crafting the beauty of weeping plum trees is a vital element of Japan’s traditional art of gardening and this haven aims to preserve, cultivate, and nurture around 200 plum trees. Among them, Kureha Shidare stands out as Japan’s oldest weeping plum tree. Come March, the garden transforms into a dreamscape. Envision weeping plum trees glowing as pink snow-dusted Christmas trees. When night falls, the illuminated trees turn the space into an otherworldly vision, a floral symphony that is both calming and breathtaking.

３．Miyagawa Tsutsumi: Cherry Blossoms

Stroll along the Miyagawa River, flowing northwest of the outer shrine of Ise Jingu, and you’re hit with a kilometer-long cherry tree bonanza called Miyagawa Tsutsumi every late March. With famous cherry blossoms like Someiyoshino and Yamazakura, this spot is celebrated as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association with about 700 trees in full bloom. Stroll along the tree-lined promenade or have a hanami (flower viewing) picnic at Miyagawa Tsutsumi Park for an up-close encounter with beauty.

４．Ueno Park: Cherry Blossoms

The chalk-white castle keep of Iga Ueno Castle, a landmark of Iga City in Iga Ueno Park, rises dramatically above one of the tallest castle walls in Japan, creating a majestic backdrop for the soft cherry blossoms that bloom below. The contrast of pristine white stone and pale-pink petals makes for a popular hanami spot. Other popular attractions in the park include the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, the Basho Memorial Museum, and the Haiseiden, built in honor of Matsuo Basho, the haiku master from Iga.

５．Saiku: Canola Flowers

Saiku is a national historic site in Meiwa-cho, Taki County, that greets spring with brilliant fields of bright yellow canola flowers from late February every year. There are many opportunities for photography with contrasting colors, and the sight of the Ise-Shima Liner gliding past the golden waves is a perfect chance to capture an epic photo. If you visit in the fall, the area transforms into a pink field of cosmos flowers, making this destination spectacular regardless of the season.

Wrap-up
In Mie Prefecture, a vibrant floral spring canvas unfolds through an array of blossoms that extend beyond the famed cherry blossoms. These five spots: The Inabe Plum Grove, Suzuka Forest Garden, Miyagawa Tsutsumi, Ueno Park, and Saiku offer a diverse and enchanting spectacle of nature’s beauty. Spring bursts into radiant brilliance across Mie, and these five spots are the ultimate destinations to witness it. Don’t miss the blooming season – hit up these excellent places and soak in all the floral magic that Mie has to offer!