VOL.211 JANUARY 2026
JAPAN AND UME Enjoying the Unique Charm of Japanese Apricot Blossoms

Amid the cold of winter, Japanese apricot blossoms are the first to announce the arrival of spring. Japan is home to about 400 varieties of Japanese apricot trees, and their blossoms can be enjoyed nationwide from December to March. We interviewed an expert about the ways to appreciate Japanese apricot blossoms.

Japanese apricots have been deeply rooted in Japan’s culture and way of life since the Nara period (around the 8th century). OTSUBO Takayuki, Doctor of Agricultural Studies and Chairman of the Japanese Apricot Society, describes their rich and complex charm.  “If cherry blossoms symbolize the vibrant beauty of spring, Japanese apricot blossoms embody the noble spirit of blooming gracefully despite the cold. There are numerous varieties of Japanese apricot blossoms, and the ways to appreciate them are just as diverse.”

Japan is said to have around 400 varieties of hana-ume, or flowering Japanese apricots, cultivated specifically for their blossoms. Few flowering trees in the world have as many varieties as the hana-ume. This diversity stems from a long history of hybridization with apricots, through which the trees have undergone complex evolution.

According to OTSUBO, flowering Japanese apricots can be classified into three large categories.

“There are three major lineages: the Yabai group, known for its fragrance and closeness to the wild species; the Bungo group, which shows strong apricot characteristics, with large blossoms that bloom later; and the Hibai group, distinguished by its reddish branch cross-sections. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, pink and red, and the blooms themselves are truly diverse, ranging from single-petaled to double-petaled varieties.

For example, Yaekanko, a well-known early-blooming variety, begins flowering in December, so sometimes it is used in New Year’s decorations. Another variety, Michishirube, features beautifully-shaped, single-petaled pink blossoms, which make it very popular.

Another appeal of Japanese apricot blossoms is that different varieties bloom at different times, extending the period during which they can be appreciated. The blossoms open in succession, like a relay of early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties. In a grove with multiple varieties, visitors can enjoy the blossoms for two to nearly three months. The unique appeal of Japanese apricot blossoms is how they let us feel spring slowly approaching during the long winter.

According to OTSUBO, who also works as a Japanese apricot blossom viewing guide, “The ways to appreciate cherry blossoms and Japanese apricot blossoms are quite different.”

Cherry blossoms are usually appreciated in festive gatherings under trees in full bloom or amidst a flurry of falling petals. The appreciation of Japanese apricots, on the other hand, can take the form of seeking out early-blooming Japanese apricots (tanbai), admiring blossoms in full, vibrant bloom (shobai), or cherishing petals as they gently fall (sobai), all while quietly savoring their fragrance and the grace of their branches.

“Many people seek trees in full bloom, but Japanese apricot blossoms are considered to be most beautiful in the early stages, when only one-fifth to one-third of buds come into flower. That is because the earliest blossoms receive abundant nutrients from the branches, giving them vigor and beautifully shaped petals. By the time full bloom arrives, however, the first and most exquisite blossoms have often already begun to fade.”

OTSUBO also shared tips on how to capture beautiful photos of Japanese apricot blossoms.

“Rather than photographing an entire tree in full bloom, try capturing a close-up of a single beautiful blossom bursting with vibrant energy. The freshest and most attractive blossoms have fully opened stamens with bright yellow tips at their center. When taking a photo, try capturing a single open blossom from the front, and include a nearby swelling bud and a youthful branch in the frame. This will help your photos highlight both the characteristics of the variety and the beauty of the blossoms.”

Throughout Japan, there are famous spots where visitors can enjoy the beauty of Japanese apricot blossoms.

For those wishing to savor a sense of historical charm, we recommend shrines and temples such as Dazaifu Tenmangu in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture (See “The Reiwa Dazaifu Ume Project: Ancient Traditions Move into the Future in Dazaifu, the City of the Japanese Apricot,” in HIGHLIGHTING Japan January 2026 issue), and Yushima Tenmangu in Bunkyo City, Tokyo, both dedicated to Sugawara  Michizane, the god of learning. There, visitors can enjoy Japanese apricot blossoms in a serene and solemn atmosphere.

Those wishing to admire Japanese apricot blossoms amid beautiful garden landscapes can visit Kairakuen in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, which is one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens (See “The Famous Plum Trees of Kairakuen Garden,” in HIGHLIGHTING Japan May 2021 issue) and Atami Baien in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, renowned for its early-blooming Japanese apricots.

Botanical gardens are a recommended destination for comparing a diverse range of Japanese apricot varieties. Jindai Botanical Garden in Chofu City, Tokyo, and Odawara Flower Garden in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, both have rich collections of Japanese apricot cultivars, allowing visitors to take their time observing delicate differences in blossom color and shape.

Across Japan, there are also remarkable old Japanese apricot trees that have survived for generations and have an imposing presence, such as Garyubai (literally “reclining dragon Japanese apricot”) trees, whose trunks sprawl along the ground like crawling dragons. These are sights not to be missed.

“I encourage you to visit Japanese apricot gardens across the country to enjoy their uniquely expressive blossoms and feel the early arrival of spring.”

By MURAKAMI Kayo
Photo: PIXTA