On the 14th, a goodwill ambassador to deliver potted plums from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, which is known as a famous spot for plum blossoms, to Tokyo, departed from Fukuoka Airport on the 14th.
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine's Ume Goodwill Ambassador was the 41st time this year, and in the departure lobby of Fukuoka Airport, a departure ceremony was held with the priests of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Miko, and 10 airline officials.
At the departure ceremony, after a Shinto ritual was held to pray for the safety of air travel, the priests and Miko handed over potted plums grown on the grounds to the flight attendants.
According to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the potted plants will be delivered to Kameido Tenjin Shrine and Yushima Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo on the 14th, and two oversized red and white potted plants will be presented to the prime minister's official residence.
Ayaka Tomita, one of the ambassadors of goodwill, said, "It's still cold days, so I'd like you to feel a little warmer by looking at the plum blossoms."
In addition, Naoko Fujinaga, an airline company who received plums, said, "There are many dark news, but I want to deliver plums as soon as possible and deliver spring."
About 6,000 plum trees of 200 types are planted in the precincts of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, and the best time to see them is from the end of this month to the beginning of next month.