Tokyo Oasis

The sweet scent of plum blossoms in early spring
Ikegami Baien and Ikegami Honmonji Temple

As if to oust the winter cold, the plum trees have begun to flower again this year in Ikegami Baien (Plum Garden).

From the bottom of the sloped garden, visitors can take in an expansive view of the plum tree grove adorned with red and white blossoms. Though the park is not very large, it boasts 370 plum trees. Approximately 30 species are represented including Beni-chidori, Hakujiji, and Tsuki-no-Katsura.

Proceed along the park’s trail while enjoying the plum tree grove on your left and a Japanese-style garden replete with a pond and tea house comes into view. Now is the perfect season for a pleasant stroll enveloped in the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms.

After taking in your fill of the blossoms, walk over to Ikegami Honmonji Temple, the main temple of the Nichiren Buddism sect, which towers behind the park. The temple’s front gate, depicted in the woodblock print of renowned artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), the 96 stone steps of Shikyonanjizaka, said to have been donated by warlord Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), and the five-storied pagoda, designated as a national important cultural property,   are but some of the interesting things to see on the temple grounds. On your way home, stop by a shop offering the area’s famous treat called kuzumochi and let the day’s fatigue gently slip away.