Available in bars, izakayas and wherever alcohol is sold, umeshu is a liqueur with a unique taste of Japan.

If you are looking for a quiet place to view the ume, or plum blossoms, and you are visiting Yamanashi prefecture, Furouen in Sakaori would be a fine choice.

A visit to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shinto shrine from early February to mid-March is breathtakingly beautiful. Planted throughout the shrine grounds are over 6,000 flowering plum trees! Red, pink and white sweetly-scented blossoms permeate the grounds with amazing color and intoxicating scents celebrating the coming of spring!

Although it is still pretty cold these days, the first signs of spring are to be seen in many parts of Japan. Apart from the famous cherry blossoms (aka sakura) plum blossoms are a real treat to the eye as well.