Atami Plum Garden is famous for having some of Japan’s earliest-blooming plum blossoms, but autumn brings another reason to visit this picturesque garden.
During the annual Maple Festival, around 380 maple trees put on a colorful display, with the warm climate of Atami helping the foliage remain vibrant from late November into December. This has earned the garden a reputation for having some of Japan’s latest autumn foliage.
There is also an unusual seasonal bonus: the garden’s early-blooming plum trees can begin flowering around mid-November. Depending on the timing of your visit, you may be able to see delicate plum blossoms alongside the red and golden autumn leaves, creating a distinctly Japanese seasonal scene.
Visitors to the Maple Festival can also warm up in the garden’s footbath, while seasonal events include the Atami Plum Garden Maple Festival Photo Contest and the Maple Leaf Illumination, which gives the foliage a different atmosphere after dark.
