Tsukigase Plum Grove, Plum grove in Nara, Japan.
Tsukigase Plum Grove is a natural area dotted with thousands of red and white plum trees clustered on a mountainside near Tsukigase Dam. The trees grow closely together along the slopes, painting the hillside with different colors as they flower during the late winter and early spring months.
The grove began as part of a temple garden during the Kamakura period, roughly 750 years ago. Over the centuries, it developed into the expansive flowering site that people visit today to mark the changing seasons.
The grove holds deep meaning in Japanese tradition as a place where people celebrate the arrival of spring through the viewing of blooming flowers, a custom passed down through generations. Walking among the flowering trees connects visitors to a way of appreciating nature that has shaped local life and artistic expression for centuries.
The site is best visited in February and March when the flowers are in full bloom and pathways through the grove are clear for walking. It helps to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is hilly and uneven in places.
Alongside the plum trees, the site holds around 3,000 cherry trees that flower at a different time, creating two separate blooming periods in the same location. This arrangement allows visitors to experience Japan's entire spring flowering season in one place.
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