A Two-Day Trip to Enjoy Plum Blossoms and Gourmet Food

Travel Purpose
Admire the weeping plum blossoms at Suzuka Forest Garden's light-up event! Enjoy delicious Hitsumabushi at Atsuta Houraiken!

Day 1
Take the Shinkansen to Nagoya Station. From Nagoya Station, rent a car and head to Red Hill Hisaya Forest in Takanoo, Tsu City. This expansive 130,000㎡ area features a "Flower Area" with attractions like a rose garden and water lily pond, as well as a "Forest Area" with natural landscapes. The Plum Garden boasts 45 plum trees, including weeping and upright varieties. Some trees exceed 3 meters in height, with the most impressive weeping plum trees reaching over 5 meters, such as the "Shoryu" tree, known for its thick trunk and cascading blossoms. The Sakura Plaza also had early-blooming cherry blossoms, allowing visitors to enjoy both plum and cherry blossoms.

Next, drive to Suzuka Forest Garden, home to approximately 200 weeping plum trees, which are considered masterpieces of Japanese horticulture. Unlike Red Hill Hisaya Forest, this garden focuses solely on plum trees and serves as a research and cultivation farm to preserve and promote weeping plum tree training techniques. The garden is open to the public during the blooming season, with admission fees varying based on the bloom's condition. I visited during the peak season, which was also the most beautiful and expensive time. The garden is located far from train stations, about 21 km (a 40-minute taxi ride) from Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station (Kintetsu Nagoya Line). While temporary buses operate from Yokkaichi Station (JR/Kintetsu) during the season, they may not run on weekdays, especially for evening light-up events, so careful planning is required. I visited by rental car, and the parking lot was quite spacious.

The nighttime light-up was breathtakingly beautiful and magical. After returning the rental car at Nagoya Station, I enjoyed Miso Nikomi Udon at Yamamotoya Honten JR Nagoya Station branch. I stayed overnight at Chisun Inn Nagoya, a hotel located just a 4-minute walk from JR Nagoya Station's Taiko-dori Exit (Shinkansen Exit).

Day 2
Started the day with breakfast at Komeda Coffee at Nagoya Station, then visited Nagoya Castle. The Honmaru Palace features opulent wall paintings by Kano school artists, with stunning gold-leaf folding screens. The castle grounds are spacious, and a thorough visit can take about two hours.

For lunch, I had a reservation at Atsuta Houraiken Jingu branch for Hitsumabushi. Priced at 4,950 yen, it’s not cheap but comes with a generous portion of eel. The dish can be enjoyed in three ways: as-is, with condiments, and as ochazuke (with tea or broth). If you can't finish, the staff can pack it for takeaway, so no need to worry. Afterward, I leisurely visited Atsuta Shrine, which is historically significant as the resting place of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures. Note that photography near the main shrine is prohibited, though distant shots are allowed. Security staff will remind visitors to follow the rules. The shrine also has a museum (admission required) where you can learn about its history. There’s a café called Atsuta Shrine Hall Lounge on the premises, where you can enjoy treats like cream soda.

Returned to Nagoya Station, which is large and has many souvenir shops. After buying souvenirs and Tenmusu (rice balls with tempura), I took the Shinkansen back home.

Accommodation
Chisun Inn Nagoya, located at 1-12-8 Noritake, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. This uniquely designed hotel with a yellow cylindrical structure and spiral staircase is just a 4-minute walk from JR Nagoya Station's Taiko-dori Exit. Its proximity to the station makes it convenient for storing luggage until the last minute before boarding the Shinkansen. Despite its prime location, the hotel is very affordable, costing around 10,000 yen for two people. While the facilities are a bit dated, the front desk offers rental items like smartphone charging cables, and there are amenities like tea dispensers. It’s ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly place to sleep near the station rather than a luxurious stay.

Recommended Restaurant
Atsuta Houraiken Jingu Branch, located at 2-10-26 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. Credit card payments are accepted, and takeout is available. Known for its specialty Hitsumabushi, this restaurant is highly recommended. There are several branches in Nagoya City, but it’s very popular and often crowded.

Photo Spots
- Red Hill Hisaya Forest: Enjoy the natural beauty, flowers, and greenery.
- Suzuka Forest Garden: The nighttime plum blossom light-up is spectacular.

Tips
Timing the plum blossom season can be challenging. While the tree shapes are beautiful, weeping plums lack volume without blossoms, making them less impressive. Rainy weather can make the plum gardens muddy and difficult to navigate.