About Taniozaki Plum Grove Park

Hello, travelers!
This is Asukarando, a writer for SaruKuma.

Today I’d like to introduce you to
“Taniozaki Plum Grove Park”,
located in Taniozaki, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Plum blossom season has arrived! (^-^)v
This time, I’ll introduce you to Taniozaki Plum Grove Park — the perfect spot for this beautiful season ＼(^o^)／

Here’s the parking area! (^-^)

Restrooms are conveniently located right next to the parking lot (^-^)

There’s also a covered rest area to escape the sun or rain (^-^)/

With plenty of tables, chairs, and benches scattered throughout the park,
you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the plum blossoms at your own pace (^-^)/

A handwashing station can be found at the back of the park.

Every year during peak plum blossom season, a stand selling “Umegae-mochi” (a traditional grilled rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste) opens up,
but on this day, the buds were still closed, so the stand wasn’t open yet.

Trust me — freshly grilled Umegae-mochi enjoyed beneath blooming plum trees is an experience you won’t forget! (^з^)-☆

Highlights of Taniozaki Plum Grove Park

The park is home to a wide variety of plum tree species (^-^)/

As of February 4th, the trees looked like this — peak bloom is just around the corner! (^-^)

By the way, this is a photo from last year —
you can capture beautiful shots of plum blossoms together with bush warblers and Japanese white-eyes. It’s a paradise for nature photographers! (^-^)v

Some of the buds were already plump and ready to pop — so adorable! (^-^)

And I even spotted a few plum blossoms already in full bloom! (^-^)/

But that’s not all the park has to offer!

There’s also the legendary “Zazen Rock” associated with Miyamoto Musashi — Japan’s most famous swordsman!!!

Here’s a child sitting on it — that gives you a sense of how big it is!

Of course, you have to take a zazen meditation photo here! (Though I couldn’t quite manage the proper zazen pose — just sitting cross-legged…)

A “Plum Blossom Festival” is normally held here every year,
but this year it has been canceled due to COVID-19 prevention measures.
Still, the plum blossoms will bloom as beautifully as ever — so I highly recommend bringing along a hanami (flower-viewing) bento and enjoying lunch beneath the blossoms ＼(^o^)／

Park Information

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please check before visiting.