Koshigaya planned to have their plum blossom festival in 2023, for the first time in four years. But they have since decided to cancel it (mid February 2023), for the fourth year in a row! It is expected that it will be held the first weekend of March, but they won’t confirm the date until closer to the time. They have said though, that it will be early March. They did actually schedule it for 2022 too, for March 6th and 7th 2022, but ultimately cancelled it, just like this year. However, the plum grove is currently open.
Koshigaya Plum Blossom Season
When I think of plum blossoms in Saitama Ogose, Shinrin Park and Omiya Dai Ni Park used to be the first to come to mind. Particularly, Ogose Plum Forest holding the honour of one of Kanto’s “three great plum blossom groves”. But in recent years, Koshigaya Plum Blossom Grove has made its way onto the list of notable plum groves in Saitama Prefecture.
The grove in Koshigaya has always been enjoyed by locals. But before the pandemic began it had also become one of the larger and better known plum blossom festivals. Nowadays, it attracts hundreds of visitors, not just locals, during the festival period. Perhaps due to its proximity to Tokyo.
There are approximately 300 plum blossom trees, of 40 varieties, in the park. They typically bloom from around mid February to mid March. The festival is normally on the first weekend of March. During the period of the festival locals organize events and set up festival stalls. The park, its “ume” and the festival receive rave reviews online. There is usually music and dance performances scheduled on both days and the plum blossom mascot will be there for the occasion. In addition, you can “hanami” picnic under the plum blossoms.
Information
Event: Koshigaya Plum Grove Plum blossom Festival 越谷梅林公園梅まつり
Dates: Cancelled (but the park is open)
Time: NA
Cost: free
Venue: Koshigaya Plum Grove Park 越谷梅林公園, 203-1 Obayashi, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-0021. View on Google Maps.
Access
The plum blossom festival is held in Koshigaya’s Plum Forest park. It is about a 20 minute walk from Tobu Skytree Line Kita Koshigaya Station’s west exit. For the two days of the festival there is a free shuttle bus from that station and from Aeon Sengendai Branch too. It is not unusual to have to queue for the free bus. It runs between 9 am and 3 pm. As there is no festival, there will be no shuttle bus.
There is a car park at the park, for about 20 cars. However, it is not available to the public during the festival period.
Editor’s note: the post was temporarily removed from the website during the pandemic. It was republished on February 11th 2023. Previous update 20190227.