Ome City: 2025 Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival Complete Guide: Best Viewing Times, Access, and Event Information

Why not experience the arrival of spring at Ome City’s Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival? 🌸

Held every year from mid-February to late March, the Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival showcases the breathtaking sight of over 1,000 plum trees in full bloom. The festival takes place from February 15th (Sat) to March 20th (Thu) in 2025.

With Ume-no-Park as the main venue, various events are held, attracting large crowds. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the highlights and ways to enjoy the festival to access information and event details!

Access to Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival

The Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival is easily accessible by train and bus.

• Train: Get off at JR Ome Line “Hinatawada Station”, about a 15-minute walk.
• Bus: Take the Toei Bus from JR Ome Station bound for “Yoshino” for about 12 minutes, and get off at the “Yoshino Bairin” bus stop.

Parking

Temporary parking lots are available around Ume-no-Park during the plum festival. However, as parking is limited, using public transportation is recommended.

Highlights of the Plum Festival

Ume-no-Park

Ume-no-Park, the main venue of the Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival, boasts over a thousand plum trees.
The sight of various plum blossoms, including red plums, white plums, and weeping plums, is truly spectacular.
The park also features a lawn area, an observation deck, and other facilities, making it perfect for families.

Various Events

Plenty of fun events are scheduled during the plum festival! 😆 Here are the events held in 2024:

• Ome Gourmet Marche: A gathering of Ome’s best gourmet food.
• Yoshino Baigo Umeshu Festival: An event where plum wines (umeshu) from all over Japan gather.
• Baigo Sweets Festa: A festival of sweets from Ome City.

2025 Event Information

• Ome Gourmet Marche: February 22nd (Sat) – 24th (Mon, National Holiday)
• Tokyo Local Sake Festival: March 7th (Fri) – 9th (Sun)
• Yoshino Baigo Umeshu Festival: February 28th (Fri) – March 2nd (Sun)
• Baigo Sweets Festa: March 16th (Sun)

Kanbai Shimin Matsuri (Citizen’s Plum Viewing Festival) (Held on March 2nd, 2025)

The Kanbai Shimin Matsuri is a major event held during the plum festival. In 2025, the Kanbai Shimin Matsuri will be held on March 2nd.

This festival not only takes place in Ume-no-Park but also along the Jindai-bashi Street connecting Hinatawada Station to Ume-no-Park, where many stalls line up. It’s a lively festival where even “danjiri” (traditional festival floats) from the Yoshino Baigo area gather.

When to See the Plums

The best time to see the plums is from mid-February to late March when the plum festival is held. As there are early-blooming, mid-blooming, and late-blooming varieties of plums, you can enjoy them for about a month.

Recommended Ways to Enjoy the Festival

• Photography 📷: Take commemorative photos with the beautiful plum blossoms in the background.
• Strolling 🚶‍♀️: Enjoy a leisurely stroll while enveloped in the fragrance of plum blossoms.
• Plum Gourmet Delights 😋: Savor plum-flavored treats such as plum soft serve ice cream 🍦 and plum wine 🍶.
• Souvenir Shopping 🎁: Look for souvenirs such as pickled plums (umeboshi) and plum wine.

Enjoy Gourmet Events!

During events like the “Ome Gourmet Marche”, various food stalls line up. There is also an eating space provided at the entrance of Ume-no-Park.

The plum festival events are a great opportunity to enjoy the unique flavors of Ome City. Be sure to check the event information and come visit!

2025 Event Information

• Ome Gourmet Marche: February 22nd (Sat) – 24th (Mon, National Holiday)
• Tokyo Local Sake Festival: March 7th (Fri) – 9th (Sun)
• Yoshino Baigo Umeshu Festival: February 28th (Fri) – March 2nd (Sun)
• Baigo Sweets Festa: March 16th (Sun)

Souvenir Hunting! Check Out the Shops Around Ume-no-Park!

The souvenir shops near Ume-no-Park offer plum-related foods, a specialty of Yoshino Baigo, as well as other local products from Okutama.

• Ito En: Sells pickled plums and other plum-centered souvenirs.
• Kobai En: Offers not only “manju” (sweet buns) but also plum jelly and plum wine.
• FLOUR: A local bakery, perfect for picking up treats for your outing.
• Heso Manju: Steamed “manju” are a must-try!
• Haman no Seika: Along with standard “manju”, they also offer modern sweets depending on the season.
• Shishiguchiya Baigo Branch: Sells famous Okutama products.
• JA Nishi Tokyo Green Center: Sells not only vegetables but also Ome specialties.

Information on the Area Around the Plum Festival

Gourmet Information

There are various restaurants around Ume-no-Park where the plum festival is held. Check out the links to the restaurants introduced on baigo.fun!

Restaurants near Ume-no-Park

• Maihana: Opens only during the plum festival season. Offers many takeout dishes that can be enjoyed in the park.
• Shun no Mise Ai Ball: Enjoy a seasonal omakase lunch.
• Miraiya: Offers meals made with Ome ingredients.

Restaurants near Jindai-bashi Street

There are many restaurants on and around Jindai-bashi Street, which connects JR Hinatawada Station to Ume-no-Park.

• GOOD SHED: Offers not only freshly fried donuts but also lunch menus.
• Kobai En: Has a cafe space. You can also enjoy a “kuri-okowa zen” (chestnut rice set meal).
• T-ROCK VILLAGE: Barbecue space (reservations recommended).
• HIBACHIYA: Enjoy Italian cuisine such as pizza and pasta.
• Ramen Feel: Popular ramen restaurant (reservations recommended).
• Rose Town Tea Garden: Enjoy an elegant tea time with a view of the Tama River (reservations recommended).

Restaurants near Inari Shrine

If you exit Ume-no-Park and head towards Ome along Yoshino Kaido, you will see Inari Shrine. There are also delicious restaurants near Inari Shrine, so be sure to check them out!

• I’m Home: A cute cafe. Their hearty lunch is also popular.
• Inariya: Offers udon, soba, and even pork bowls.
• Unako: Offers delicious “unaju” (grilled eel on rice) (reservations recommended).
• Nakagawa ☆ Sue Shokudo: Enjoy Kumamoto cuisine in a retro atmosphere with records playing.
• Cafe & Laundry Sunrise: A laundromat and cafe. Products from nearby shops are also available.

Accommodation Information

Enjoy a Day Trip Onsen at Okutamaji!

• Okutamaji: The closest inn to Ume-no-Park. You can also enjoy a day trip onsen (hot spring).

Okutamaji, the closest inn to Ume-no-Park, offers day trip onsen. ♨️ It’s a great way to relax after a day of enjoying the plum festival! 😊

Bathing Fee and Hours for Okutamaji Day Trip Onsen

• Bathing Fee: 1,000 yen (tax included)
• Bathing Hours: 11:00 – 15:00 (last entry 14:30)
• Please check the Okutamaji website for details.

Tourist Spots

• Ome Kimono Museum: You can see exhibits of kimonos and life in the past.
• Eiji Yoshikawa Memorial Hall: The former residence of Eiji Yoshikawa, who wrote many historical novels such as “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Musashi”.
• Mount Mitake: A nature-rich mountain where you can enjoy mountain climbing and hiking. ⛰️
• Mitake Gorge: A gorge located upstream of the Tama River, also known for its autumn foliage. 🍁

Summary

The Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival is an event full of beautiful plum blossoms 🌸 and enjoyable events. Be sure to visit and experience the arrival of spring! 😊

References

• Yoshino Baigo (Yoshino Baigo) Plum Festival | Ome Tourist Guide: https://tokyocheapo.com/events/yoshino-baigo-plum-blossom-festival/