The 39th Misato Ume Festival
Misato Bairin sits in Takasaki, eastern Japan’s leading ume-producing area. About 100,000 plum trees are planted on a hill that looks out over the Kanto Plain.
At festival time, plum blossoms fill the whole scene. The pure-white flowers are like a sea of clouds. You can enjoy the view and the scent of the ume. Together with neighboring Haruna Bairin and Akima Bairin in Annaka, the groves are called Gunma’s Three Great Plum Groves.
- Period: Sunday 1 March through late March 2026
- Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March: Takasaki ume dishes sold from kitchen cars
- From early March: limited-time ume menus at dining spots in Takasaki, matching the festival. Shops and dishes are on this Takasaki City PDF
- Saturday 14 February through Sunday 22 March: the mystery treasure-hunt game “Nazotoki Quest in Gunma’s Three Great Plum Groves” is under way
- Cospla Misato Bairin: Sunday 15 March and Friday 20 March (a national holiday)
Misato Bairin is about 30 minutes by car from the inn — an easy stop to or from Ikaho Onsen. A later Misato note is the Misato Shibazakura Festival. Plum around Ikaho itself is on Today is Keichitsu.