February 17 (Sat.) – 18 (Sun.), 2024
What is the Sugita Plum Festival?
During the Tensho period (1573-92), Lord Nobushige Mamiya, then governor of the territory planted many plums trees in the deserted area of Sugita village where people find no use for farming,
Since then, this place, Sugita became known as popular sightseeing spot for it’s beautiful plum blossoms and was visited by many tourists from all over the country and finally drew the attention of famous Ukiyoe painter, Utagawa Hiroshige and was added to his collection as “Plum Grove in Bushu Sugita”.
However, a few hundreds years from EDO period, the majority of the plum grove got aged and deteriorated by salt or other environmental factors and eventually by the end of the Meiji period, the majority of the original beauty was almost lost.
Bushu-Sugita Plum Grove
Sugita’s plum grove no longer retained its original beauty, however at its peak time in EDO Genroku period (1688-1704), 36,000 plum trees were in full bloom in the best season. In the late Edo period (1603-1868), the beauty of Sugita plum grove was often mentioned in books and travel guides which generated more visitors of sightseers, writers and painters. This specific painting displays the scenery of beautiful ladies strolling in the village of Sugita to appreciate plum blossoms in full bloom. In the background, the tip of Honmoku, Kanazawa are partially visible, and the Boso Peninsula is drawn in very far distance.
This year is the third attempt of the Sugita Plum Festival under the support of the tourism agency in search of the renaissance of original beauty of Sugita plum grove. Please come and enjoy the grand view of over 100 plum trees, including the historic beauty of weeping Plum Trees named Sho Sui Bai which was highly appreciated by Empress Shoken and her mother Empress Eisho, who were immediate families of the Meiji Emperor.
Displays of Sugita Plum Grove
Sugita Plum Festival Highlights
（video of February 2023 event）
Introduction of performers
Revival of the lively Sugita Plum Grove! Songs and Dances of Yokohama Geisha
Yokohama Geigi Association
Mini live
by ALLaNHiLLZ
Performance
by the Kodo Fife Club Umebayashi Elementary School
MDS Brass Band Performance
Sugita Elementary School
Children gather around! Let’s dance to see if the plum blossoms have bloomed!
Yokohama Geigi Association
Collaboration of Yokohama Geisha and Satokagura
The Society for the Study of Sato-Kagura and Kamishiro-Kagura
Saxophone performance
Junichi Watanabe
Mini live performance
Hiromi Satsuki, Kazuko Sakuraba, Hajime Masaki
Performance of “Plum Wine Drinking Doji” Theatre Company
“Yokozuna Chu Chu”
Tsugaru Shamisen
Esashi Ieaki
Jazz performance
by The night cruisers
Taiko Live
Mirai Taiko Dojo
Event schedule
General map of the venue
Location
Myohoji Temple
This temple has a long history in Sugita. In the Edo period, Sugita Plum Grove was widely known as a famous plum grove. Myoho-ji Temple, the center of the plum grove, was crowded with plum-viewers, and is also the family temple of Mamiya Nobushige, the creator of the plum grove. In early spring, more than 100 plum trees, including the famous Shidare-bai (weeping plum tree), bloom, delighting visitors to this day.
How to get to the venue
3-15, Sugita 5-chome, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 235-0033, Japan
Google Map
10 minutes walk from Keihin Kyuko Sugita Station and JR Shin-Sugita Station.
Please come by public transportation such as train bus.
(No public parking available)
Sugita, a town of plums MAP
Sponsor
Sugita Plum Grove, a phantom Sugita Plum Grove, “Ume no Machi Sugita” Executive Committee for the restoration of the liveliness of the Sugita Plum Grove.
Chairman
Shoren Ueda
(Chairman, Plum Road Sugita Shopping Arcade)
Vice President
Jie Matsumoto
(Resident, Myohoji Temple, Mt. Gyuto)
Vice President
Yukiko Ichihara
(Representative of Yokohama Shun-Na-Ka, LLC)
Executive Director
Hidehiko Ichihara
(Vice President of Yokohama Shun-Na-Ka, LLC)
- Plum Road Sugita Shopping Street
- Prala Sugita Specialty Shops Association
- Prala Urban Development Co.
- Rabisuta Shinsugita Tenants Association
- Sugita Ekimae Shopping Association
- Sugita Toka-kai Shopping Street
- Seitenbashi Center
- Sugita Area United Neighborhood Association
- Sugita North & South Neighborhood Association
- Sugita Ume Revival Promotion Committee
- Sugita Ume Lover’s Club
Special Cooperation
Cooperation
Sponsorship
Donations
Delis Architectural Institute Co.
Measures to Prevent New Coronavirus Infection
The event will be held to prevent infectious diseases. Please come wearing a mask. Please note that the event may be canceled or its content may be changed depending on the future situation. Please understand this in advance.
FAQ
What are the hours of the Sugita Plum Festival?
Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, 2024, 10:15-16:30.
Is admission to the Sugita Plum Festival free?
Yes, admission is free.
Are the stage events free of charge?
All stage events held on the Myohoji Temple grounds are free of charge.
Is there a parking lot?
No general parking is available. Please use public transportation such as trains and buses.
Will the event be held in case of rain?
Yes, in case of light rain, the event will be held (see website for details).
Is it safe to take measures against corona infections?
The event will be held as a countermeasure against infectious diseases. Please wear a mask. Please note that the event may be canceled or the content may be changed depending on the infection situation. Please understand this in advance.
Is there a heating system?
No, Please dress warmly.
Is there an official Instagram?
Yes, please follow us here.
https://www.instagram.com/sugita.plum.groves/
Inquiries and commissioning entity
Sugita Plum Grove, a phantom Sugita Plum Grove, “Plum Town Sugita” Executive Committee for Revitalization and Restoration of Plum Town Sugita
090-8052-3478
sugita.umematsuri@gmail.com
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