A spring mountain scene of Tsukuba stone and red and white plum blossoms
Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival
The 2026 edition of Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/07 〜 2026/03/15Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from mid-February to the end of March / Every year
- Location
- Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove
- Area
- Ibaraki Prefecture・Tsukuba City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 10 min–1 h 30 min · limited express)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A spring festival in a plum grove on the mid-slopes of Mt. Tsukuba, where visitors can enjoy red and white plum blossoms, Tsukuba stone, and views of the foothills.
About Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 不明Unknown author File:筑波山梅まつり.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 つくば市 https://www.city.tsukuba.lg.jp/shisei/joho/1008071.htmlDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival is a spring event where visitors can enjoy red and white plum blossoms at the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove on the mountain’s mid-slopes.
About 1,000 plum trees are planted in the approximately 4.5-hectare grove, which spreads across a slope at an elevation of about 250 meters.
The grove is also one of the highlights of the Mt. Tsukuba Area Geopark, and its scenery is distinguished by giant Tsukuba stones alongside plum blossoms.
Enjoy the natural surroundings of Mt. Tsukuba as you explore the grove’s viewpoints and buildings.
Source: 梅まつり概要 - 筑波山梅まつり
Festival highlights
The highlight is the view of the plum grove and the foothills of Mt. Tsukuba from the observation gazebo at the grove’s highest point.
When weather permits, you may be able to see rural landscapes, the streets of the Science City, Tokyo’s cluster of skyscrapers, and Mt. Fuji.
The contrast between about 30 varieties of red and white plum blossoms and the giant gabbro boulders known as Tsukuba stone is also a distinctive feature of the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove.
Walking events and special food offerings are also held during the festival.
Source: 第53回筑波山梅まつり | 観光いばらき公式ホームページ
A spring mountain scene of Tsukuba stone and red and white plum blossoms
What to expect
Visitors walk through the plum grove and explore its scattered highlights, including the observation gazebo, Ogi Bridge, Mikaeri Bench, Kaneore Bridge, Seseragi Bridge, and Hishirodai.
The main activity is strolling to enjoy the blossoms and scenery, and the viewpoints offer views across the entire grove.
In 2026, a walking event, geopark-related activities, and food and drink offerings featuring plums were also announced.
Demonstrations of the “selling toad oil” patter and volunteer tour guides are also offered.
Source: 筑波山梅まつり【2026】 | 観光いばらき公式ホームページ
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove (1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
- Train and bus
From Akihabara Station, take the Tsukuba Express to Tsukuba Station, then take the Mt. Tsukuba Shuttle Bus for about 36 minutes and get off at “Tsukubasan- Iriguchi.”
From Tokyo Station, you can also take an express bus to Tsukuba Center and transfer to the Mt. Tsukuba Shuttle Bus.
- By car
Head toward Mt. Tsukuba from Tsuchiura-kita IC on the Joban Expressway, Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, or Joso IC or Tsukuba-Chuo IC on the Ken-O Expressway.
- Parking
Municipal Parking Lots 1–4 are listed.
Roads are extremely congested during the festival, and parking reservations are not accepted.
Source: アクセス - 筑波山梅まつり
Address 1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 festival was announced as scheduled to run from February 7 (Saturday) to March 15 (Sunday).
The grove is said to have about 1,000 plum trees in bloom from February through March.
A walking event and limited-time food offerings are planned during the festival.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Ibaraki Prefecture / Tsukuba City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The plum grove is spread across a slope, so comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for exploring the grounds.
Roads are reported to be extremely congested during the festival, so consider traveling by train and shuttle bus.
If you visit by car, check where the municipal parking lots are, and note that parking reservations are not available.
Plum blossom conditions depend on the weather, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.
Nearby attractions
The venue, Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove, is located on Mt. Tsukuba, so you can enjoy the mountain scenery along with the plum blossom festival.
Mt. Tsukuba Shrine is described as an ancient shrine that reveres the entire mountain as its sacred body, with its grounds extending from the mid-slopes to the summit.
Cable cars, a ropeway, and hot spring facilities with views over the Kanto Plain are also available on Mt. Tsukuba, making them good places to visit alongside a stroll through the plum grove.
地図と測量の科学館
茨城県つくば市にある科学館
地質標本館
茨城県つくば市にある博物館
松見公園
つくば市の公園
研究学園駅前公園
茨城県つくば市にある地区公園
筑波実験植物園
茨城県つくば市にある植物の研究機関
筑波山神社
茨城県つくば市にある神社
Origins and History of Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival
The first Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival was held in 1974 (Showa 49), and the 50th edition took place in 2023.
The event has long been held at the city-run plum grove on the mid-slopes of Mt. Tsukuba, continuing as a celebration of the plum blossoms and the mountain’s natural beauty.
In 2011, events during the festival were canceled after March 11 due to the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The festival has also been affected by social conditions and weather: in 2021, its run was shortened, and in 2022, it was canceled.
Source: 筑波山梅まつり - Wikipedia
Official information
The official website provides information about the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove, the 2026 festival dates, highlights within the grounds, access, parking, and traffic restrictions.
Plans during the festival and blossom conditions may change, so check the latest information on the official website before setting out.
Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival at a Glance
The Mt. Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival is an event at the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove in Tsukuba City, where visitors can enjoy about 1,000 red and white plum trees, mountain scenery, and highlights within the grounds.
The festival was held from February 7 to March 15 in 2026, and the observation gazebo offers views of the plum grove and the foothills of Mt. Tsukuba.
You can take the Mt. Tsukuba Shuttle Bus from Tsukuba Station to the venue; municipal parking is available for those arriving by car.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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