The first sign of spring in Osaka is the arrival of plum blossoms, and for Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita, this is cause for celebration. From February 7 to March 8, the park is hosting a month-long festival to accompany the blooms. The park is home to several plum groves, which showcase around 150 varieties and more than 600 trees in total, so there will be no shortage of the fragrant white, pink and red blossoms that make this time of year so picturesque.
You can expect similar abundance when it comes to plum-themed festivities. From opening day and running every weekend and public holiday, the tea ceremonies at the Japanese Garden’s Senrian teahouse will pair matcha with seasonal wagashi to enjoy while overlooking the plum-framed garden. Discounted combo tickets for this with park admission are available at entrance gates on tea ceremony days.
The plum product festivities then begin mid-month with the plum-wine brand Choya’s takeover. Between February 21 to 23 and 28 to March 1, they’re set up at the Natural Culture Park Waterwheel Chaya serving tasting sets of five premium plum wines as well as selling their dangerously delicious drinks. February 21–23 will also see Choya teaming up with the Osaka Agricultural Horticulture and Food Technology College to sell collaborative plum sweets from a special tent in the plum grove.
In addition, between February 28 and March 1, JA Wakayama will be bringing Wakayama’s famous pickled plums for a tasting comparison and sale.
March brings the final flourish of events. The Umeboshi Seed Spitting Championship returns March 1 at the Peace Rose Garden, testing distance in two divisions: elementary school and younger, then junior high and up.
The festival winds down with a cultural double-header on March 7. Traditional rakugo comedian Shofukutei Shori performs ‘Early Spring Rakugo’ at the Japanese Garden’s Central Rest Area with two free shows at 1-1.30pm and 2.30-3pm. Meanwhile, Ito En will host a casual matcha experience at the Waterwheel Chaya with free tastings and product sales.
The festival runs daily, but it’s the weekends that are the most packed with special events, which blend hanami culture and hands-on activities to make this more than just a flower viewing festival.
For the full event calendar and plum bloom updates, check the website.
