At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, the Plum Blossom Festival is held every year on February 25th, the anniversary of Sugawara Michizane's death. Approximately 1,500 plum trees of 50 different varieties within the temple grounds reached their peak bloom earlier than usual.
Visitors were able to enjoy tea prepared by geisha and maiko, and the plum blossoms on the grounds can be enjoyed until mid-March. The festival is held in memory of the god of learning, who is said to have loved plum blossows.