Hanegi Park Plum Blossoms: Setagaya Ume Matsuri Guide 2027

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White plum blossoms on a branch against a clear blue sky at the Setagaya Ume Matsuri. — *2026*

Hanegi Park’s plum blossoms rank right up there with the best in Tokyo. There are 650 of the trees. But not only are flowers great, the location and the vibe are amazing. This free winter event is for families, flower lovers and anyone looking for budget events. It’s been a favorite of mine for many years, and I’m sure my fellow flower photographers will love it, too.

Snow-capped Mount Fuji rises behind a city skyline, framed by blurred Hanegi Park plum blossoms. — *Mount Fuji seen from Hanegi Park* in 2017.

Setagaya Ume Matsuri details

Official event name: Setagaya Ume Matsuri (or Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival)
Dates: Early February to early March 2027 (I’ll publish the exact date when it is made public).
Cost: Free.
Location: Hanegi Park, Setagaya City
Address: 4-38-52 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo
For the most up-to-date information, consult the official Setagaya Ume Matsuri website.
Here is the park on Google Maps:

The best time to visit

Full bloom (in Japanese, “mankai”) is the best time to see the flowers. That time is typically mid-to-late February. I’ll be making several visits to Hanegi Park in 2027 to track the progress of the flowers, so I’ll let you know right here when they are ready. The good news is that plum blossoms last longer than cherry blossoms, so we get about 2–3 weeks of good viewing.

A woman photographs Hanegi Park plum blossoms, featuring a light pink weeping tree and bright red blossoms. — *2018*

How to get to Hanegi Park

Nearest stations: Use the North Exit from Umegaoka Station (Odakyu Line) or East Exit-1 from Higashi-Matsubara Station (Keio Inokashira Line).
Walking directions: It’s a 5-minute walk from either station.

Delicate white plum blossoms bloom on a gnarled branch against a dark, moody background. — *2023*

Things to do at the festival

Food stalls: You can enjoy lots of plum-flavored treats such as ume-daifuku, manju, and mochi. If that isn’t your thing, there are also many traditional Japanese festival foods such as okonomiyaki, yakisoba, sausages, and more.
Fun events: On weekends and holidays there is mochi pounding, tea ceremonies and traditional music performances, such as the koto. I’ll link to the schedule when it is known.
The teahouse (日月庵): Tea ceremonies are primarily held on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the festival (February to early March). They offer Matcha (powdered green tea) served with a seasonal Japanese sweet (wagashi). During the festival, the sweets are plum-themed, often shaped like a blossom or flavored with ume. It is budget-friendly, usually costing around ¥500 to ¥600.
Nodate (outdoor tea): On peak weekend days when the weather is nice, they sometimes perform Nodate, which is an outdoor tea ceremony under the plum trees.
On Saturdays and Sundays: Stage events, plant and gardening markets are sprinkled throughout the grounds.
Photography: The park is hilly, providing great “layered” shots of pink, white, and red blossoms. Each area is a little different. Tripods aren’t allowed, but flashes are.

White-cheeked starling perched among white plum blossoms, holding a flower in its beak. — *White-cheeked starling enjoys its plum blossoms in 2026.*

I’ve been visiting Hanegi Park for years to document the changing seasons. Each year offers a different perspective on the blooms. Let’s look at them:

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Hanegi Park through the years

Close-up of white Hanegi Park plum blossoms on a branch, glowing in warm sunset light against a soft-focus background. — *2026*

Photography tips for the plum blossoms

Tripods aren’t allowed during the festival
Flash photography is allowed.
As the park is outside, it’s a great place to enjoy photography in golden hour.
If you take a long lens, you can also enjoy bird spotting.

White Hanegi Park plum blossoms on gnarled trees under a clear blue sky in the golden hour light. — *2026*

Detailed close-up of white plum blossoms in bloom with pink buds on a branch against a soft-focus background. — *2026*

Single white plum blossom with yellow stamens and red buds on a branch against a soft-focus blue sky. — *2022*

Pink Hanegi Park plum blossoms in the foreground with visitors walking in the soft-focus background. — *2018*

White plum blossoms on gnarled branches against a clear blue sky. — *2026*

Hanegi Park Plum Blossoms FAQ

About 650 of 60 varieties.

It’s a local favorite, busy on weekends but quiet on weekday mornings.

Yes, public restrooms are available.

Yes, many people sit on the benches within the park. There is also a space outside the main area available for picnics if you take a rug.

You could up until several years ago. Now an apartment building blocks the view.

Tokyo’s top 3 plum blossom spots

Feature	Hanegi Park (Setagaya)	Yushima Tenjin (Ueno)	Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Number of trees	650+	300	90
Atmosphere	Suburban, hillside, local	Historic shrine, crowded	Traditional garden, formal
Entrance free	Free	Free	¥300
Crowd level	Moderate (mostly locals)	High (very popular)	Moderate (tranquil)
Unique Feature	Ume-matsuri food stalls, possible to enjoy golden hour for photography	Academic success charms & statues	The plum blossoms are confined to one corner, but the park as a whole is stunning.
Best for …	Families and photographers	Culture & tradition seekers	Quiet contemplation