‘Kobai’ Red Plum Blossom Festival in Bunkyo, Tokyo

📍 Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine, 1 Chome−5−2, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0003

Yesterday, sunday 19th of february 2023, I had the pleasure of experiencing the beautiful and discret annual ‘Kobai’ Red Plum Blossom Festival in Tokyo.

The festival celebrates the blooming of the red plum blossoms and it was truly a sight to behold. The trees were getting in full bloom, creating a sea of red (from the ‘ume’ plum blossoms) and pink (from the ‘kawazu-sakura’ early cherry blossoms) that was absolutely breathtaking.

The festival was held at the Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine, a really small Shinto shrine located in Bunkyo ward, in the north of downtown Tokyo. This hidden gem is an amazing find for those exploring the capital, often overlooked by travelers due to its inconvenient location.

As I strolled through the garden, I was struck by the peaceful atmosphere and the natural beauty of the surroundings. The scent of the plum blossoms filled the air and the soft rustling of the leaves added to the tranquil atmosphere.

While the shrine ceremony wasn't open to the general public, I was meanwhile waiting delighted to savor some 'amazake' (a non-alcoholic fermented rice drink).

Overall, the ‘Kobai’ Red Plum Blossom Festival was a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring and to experience Japanese culture firsthand. I feel grateful to have been able to attend and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tokyo during the beginning of springtime.