Feb 7, 2014 - 1 min read

Mt. Iwara Plum Blossoms

Ume highlight a late winter nature hike

By Tristan Scholze

Community writer

Ume precede the more famous sakura, or cherry blossoms, by a month

Hear the clacking of a bamboo grove in the spring breeze near the trailhead

The trail winds through small, terraced rice fields on mountainsides

In another month, the fields will be flooded and planted with seedlings

An ume, or plum (apricot) blossom, reaches for the light

Plenty of beautiful flowers to appreciate

In Kyushu, spring can be seen when it feels like winter

Look closely around the path and you'll find beauty in small things

Budding green ready for a new growing season

Male pine cones, nearly ready to cast pollen

An unusual-looking female pine cone

This is a black-tipped leafhopper (Bothrogonia ferruginea), or tsumaguro-oo-yokobai in Japanese

Even in late winter, beauty at the micro level can be found throughout Fukuoka’s countryside. February marks the coming of ume, or plum (apricot) blossoms here, bringing forth bursts of white, yellow, and pink. I took a drive toward the mountains southwest of Fukuoka City, wandering along the foothills until the road came to an end near Zuibai-ji, a small temple. There are several trails here, including ones to the peak, though I opted for the short nature walk on this day. Also in the vicinity are Zuibaiji Dam and a campground with cabins for rent, Zuibaiji Yama no Ie.

井原山自然歩道—Iwarayama Shizen Hodou—Mt. Iwara Nature Path
瑞梅寺—Zuibaiji—Zuibai Temple

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Tristan Scholze

By Tristan Scholze

Community writer

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Preethu 7 years ago

Nice Pictures!

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Tristan Scholze

Tristan Scholze Photographer 7 years ago

Thank you! February is great for plum blossoms.

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