Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival 2017: A Photographic Archive
In 2017, Yushima Tenjin was draped in clouds of plum blossoms. The beautiful flowers brought a unique blend of serenity and tradition. Photographers came to capture them. Students came in large numbers. The day had perfect skies, a large crowd, and nostalgia for the gear I used long ago.
The cultural significance of Yushima Tenjin (and the ema plaques)
Why do students come to this shrine? Well, people visit it to pray to its two gods. One is Ameno-Tajikaraono-Mikoto, whose heavenly portfolio is sport and power. Tenjin is the other. He is responsible for learning and studying.
Tenjin is more popular. Getting into a good university is important in Japan, so students ask him for help when taking exams. They do this by writing their requests on “ema.” Ema are little wooden plaques. Tie them to a symbolic tree, a rack. Hopefully, the gods will see them.
The shrine overflows with them at exam times. They will all have the kanji 合格 (gōkaku). Gōkaku means to succeed or pass exams. Whether Tenjin reads them is another thing!
I wasn’t there for prayers. My goal was to photograph. I got help. The weather was fantastic for my 2017 visit. Cloudless and deep skies blessed the day. With that, crowds came. The flowers looked superb.
Photography tips for plum blossoms at Yushima Tenjin
- Tripods aren’t allowed so leave them at home.
- The festival is popular, so it will be crowded, especially on weekends. Be patient when waiting for your shot.
- The shrine also has tea ceremonies and monkey shows during the festival which might interest you.
- Check out my full article about Yushima Tenjin for more history and information.
- If you like Japanese festival food, there are plenty of stalls to keep you interested.
- For the most up-to-date information, consult the official Yushima Tenjin website.
Top Tokyo photo spots for plum blossoms
For other plum blossom spots in Tokyo, check out Koishikawa Korakuen or Ushi-Tejin Kitano Shrine. Setagaya ward’s Hanegi Park is also good. The city has many good places.
Shooting the festival: Pentax K-3 vs. Canon EOS R5
In late 2024, I purchased a Canon EOS R5. But when I took these photos, I used a Pentax K-3. One is pro-grade, the other is not.
The K-3 was a capable camera, but I never explored its capabilities fully. Well, I was a beginner then. I wonder what I missed. Upgrading to Fujifilm and Canon made me happy, but occasionally nostalgia pulls at my heart!
Photography is a great occupation or hobby. The gear we use has a large role in its attraction. While upgrading is exciting, leaving behind a loved piece of equipment can be sad. Tell us about your experiences.
Is the Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival worth it?
How many shrines have 300 plum blossoms on the ground in central Tokyo? Not many. And the event has been going since the Edo period. That makes it exciting but there is more. You can photograph festival food, a monkey show, tea ceremony, and prayer tablets to photograph. That sounds like a good deal to me.
Did you visit the 2017 Yushima Tenjin plum blossoms festival? If you did, leave a comment below. But regardless of the season, the shrine is a great Tokyo photo spot.
