In the picturesque setting of Suma Rikyu Park, an annual event celebrating the arrival of early spring through the viewing of blooming plum blossoms, known as “Hanami,” is set to take place. This traditional Japanese custom brings people together to appreciate the beauty of nature and the ephemeral beauty of the plum blossoms.
The plum blossom viewing event, or “Ume Mikai,” will be held from January 25th to March 9th, 2025, at the Kobe Municipal Suma Rikyu Park located in Suma Ward, Kobe City. The park boasts an impressive collection of approximately 150 plum trees of 25 different varieties, creating a spectacle of colors and fragrances as they bloom from late January to early March.
Visitors can expect to witness a stunning display of early-blooming varieties such as Yae Kanko and Gyokubotan, followed by the late-blooming Bunngo and Kurehashidare, extending the viewing pleasure for about a month and a half. To complement the beauty of the blossoms, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, known as “Ume Mikai Chakai,” will be held in a tatami room within the park.
The Ume Mikai Chakai event is scheduled for February 23rd, 2025, from 11:00 am until all seats are filled. The tea ceremony will take place in the Botanical Garden area in a Japanese-style room, with a capacity of 150 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The participation fee is set at 500 yen per person, and the event is organized by the Urasenke So-ka-kai tea ceremony school.
In addition to the Plum Blossom Viewing and Tea Ceremony, visitors can enjoy the park’s other attractions and facilities. Suma Rikyu Park opens daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entry permitted 30 minutes before closing. The park is closed on Thursdays, with the following day observed as a substitute holiday in case Thursday falls on a public holiday.
Admission fees to the park are 400 yen for visitors aged 15 and above, and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Parking fees vary, with buses charged at 2,000 yen per entry, cars at 500 yen, and motorcycles at 100 yen.
As the cold days linger, the fragrance of plum blossoms offers a subtle hint of spring’s impending arrival, providing a moment of tranquility and anticipation for the changing seasons. The Ume Mikai event serves as a bridge between nature and human appreciation, inviting visitors to savor the beauty and significance of the plum blossoms in the historic surroundings of Suma Rikyu Park.
Special opinion from Ramesh Khatri: “The Ume Mikai event is a wonderful opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and Japanese culture. It’s a reminder of the fleeting yet profound moments that nature offers us, and I encourage everyone to take part in this enriching experience.”
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: January 28, 2025 10:38 pm