GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!WithGoGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

7 Easy Ways To Differentiate Cherry Blossoms and Plum Blossoms

M

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Michael S.

Last updated : Nov 28, 20226 min read

General

Once again it's spring time in Japan! Considered as the most colorful period of the year, spring offers a tantalizing view of Japan particularly to its foreign visitors. You look around at a nearby park and you can see how this Asian country treasures the beauty of nature, through its well cultivated and meticulously designed public gardens and natural sceneries.  

Image by: http://planetyze.com  

 

For the Japanese people, the blossoming of various species of flowers during this time of the year is an event that they shouldn't miss just like their foreign counterparts visiting the country. Although various types of flowers blooms during this season, the most anticipated blooming event has always been between the cherry blossom and plum blossom.  

 

The sakura (cherry blossoms) and ume (plum/Japanese apricot) blooms the brightest in Japan during this time. The beauty of both flowers are truly mesmerizing that tourists are usually having a hard time from identifying which is which as both has almost identical features.  

 

So which is which? Let's find out!  

 

1. Blooming time.

Image by: https://gowithguide.com  

Plum blossoms always go ahead of time as its flowers can be seen sprouting from as early as mid-February up to March. The cherry blossoms on the other hand always occupies the last week of March to early April as its blooming season.  

 

2. Petal appearance.  

Image by: http://www.theflowerexpert.com  

 

Take note of this. The cherry blossom has a spiky feature at the end of each petal whereas the plum blossoms don’t. As for their buds, the plum blossom has more rounded one while the cherry blossom has an oval-shaped feature. Observing these two differences is the easiest way to identify which is which among the two!  

 

3. Check the bark.  

Image by: http://www.vcbf.ca  

 

Another simple way to differentiate one from the other is by looking at their barks. Cherry blossom trees has a lighter shade of gray with very obvious horizontal lines around it while the bark of a plum blossom tree are known as darker and has no lines.  

 

4. Smell it.  

Image by: https://wallpaperscraft.com  

 

Surprisingly, the ume won on this category as cherry blossoms doesn't offer the same beauty when smelled as compared with the plum blossoms that has a more sweet, flowery fragrance. So don't be fooled! When it smells better then you are most likely infatuated with an ume tree.  

 

5. The color.  

Image by: http://4hdwallpapers.com  

 

Cherry blossoms can be found in a variety of colors but the most commonly ones are white, light or dark pink. Plum blossoms do have a red version that differentiates it from the sakuras as well as white and pink ones.  

 

6. Look for the stems and leaves.  

Image by: http://mlkshk.com/r/10K7  

 

Another distinct point to differentiate the two is to base how their leaves look like. Cherry blossoms has longer stem and unfolded green leaves. The plum leaves crosses between red and purple and usually has very short stems or almost none as they sprout right to the main branches.  

 

7. The tree appearance.  

 

Image by: http://planetyze.com  

 

Usually, a plum blossom has an overall rounded appearance while a cherry blossom tree resembles a large umbrella-shape.   Although sakura has become a more popular natural symbol of Japan, the beauty of ume remains significantly interesting to the people. The blossoming time of these flowers has been equated with the meaning of life, which is beautiful and short with the annual hanami viewing that already became a significant national sightseeing event in Japan. Anyway, regardless if it’s a cherry or a plum blossom, hanami viewing is a must-see for anyone who wishes to experience the most colorful and lively time of the year.  

 

Now can you guess which is which in those photos above?!

 

Want to experience Japan's beauty to its fullest?

Perhaps you don't know the language and want to know more about Japan than just simply just sightseeing. A local guide can give you a unique experience while traveling and unlike other tour services, where you go is only limited by you. At GoWithGuide we offer the best customizable tours and Local Guides to help you on your journey across Japan.

 

The best part is?

You have the freedom to personally create your own tour and decide where you want to go. Simply send a message to our local guides to find a suitable itinerary and quotation for a memorable experience.

Or maybe you want someone to create a tour for you? Then why not Request a Tour. Simply type what you would like to see and our guides will send you quotes and recommendations depending on what you're interested in as well as budget.

Here at GoWithGuide, we offer the best professional Local Guides across Japan that will help you plan your trip. You can also check our Private tours to Tokyo.

Aside from our top rated tours in Japan, we are now also expanding to more countries all over the globe!

Saitama Tour Guide - Tetsuro K.

Tetsuro K.

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Japan

I’m an instructor of sushi making for foreign travelers and got the national license as a tour guide last year. Therefore I can provide a guiding for Tsukiji/Omiya fish market and a private lesson for the traditional sushi making for both. If you are interested in bonsai too, travering omiya is a perfect idea since I can provide for all these. I hope I have a chance to help you for unforgetable Japan travel experience.                                                                                                                                  

Yokohama Tour Guide - Haruo T.

Haruo T.

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!5.00 / 5
(2 reviews)
Japan

I live in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. I have a license to teach in high schools and was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language in the University of Birmingham. Until 2015 I had been teaching English at public high schools in Kanagawa for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience of guiding students from overseas through sister-school relationship around Tokyo and Kanagawa. Therefore, I had good command of English with the TOEIC score of 935. As for a tour guide experience I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English and since then I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only Japanese historical and cultural backgrounds but also giving tourists some tips to travel Japan only by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, buy survenier, and speak basic Japanese. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, ninja performance, visiting anime's location sites based on tourists' request. Besides, by means of my hobbies of writing English Haiku and Waka (traditional Japanese poems) and performing Rakugo (traditional Japanese funny story telling) in English, I can surely entertain tourists during the tour. My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interestiog guiding.                                                                                                                                 

Okinawa Main Island Tour Guide - Tateo U.

Tateo U.

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!4.98 / 5
(46 reviews)
Japan

My name is Tateo. I am officially registerd English tour guide and introducing about Okinawa's history,culture, and nature.I am elderly person but have gone through lots of expericences that happened during US occupation after WW2. For the example, change of monetary system(US dollar to Yen),Change of traffic regulation(driving vehicle from right to left).The reversion of Okinawa to main land Japan was biggest historical event.The US administered Okinawa for 27 years. As a result, thing were Americanized in many aspects. Historically, Okinawa was once independent nation until 1872.During Kingdum era, Okinawa actively traded with China, South Asia Countries, Korea, and Japan. In the end, our culture is quite differ much from main land Japan. For instance, architectural technique, daily customs, and culture are also unique. Okinawa is the only prefecture belong to subtropical climate zone. Even winter time, it's neither hot nor cold. People can enjoy marine sport all through the year.Canoeing, Kayaking, Diving, and Snorkeling are popular. Besides, beatiful white sand beaches and attractive coastline are abundant. Green sea water and blue sky have been lured people from all over the world. Traditional music and dance are worth seeing. Please visit Okinawa and enjoy extraordinary trip. I will be looking forward to seeing you soon.                                                                                                                                  

Gifu Tour Guide - Akiko W.

Akiko W.

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!5.00 / 5
(6 reviews)
Japan

Hello! My name is Akiko from Gifu prefecture. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I like going out with my family, talking with my friends over coffee at a cozy cafe, reading books, baking bread and cake when I have time. I passed the national tour guide test in 2017 and have worked as a guide since then. I have guided in Gifu city, Seki city, Takayama city, Shirakawago , Mino city and Nagoya city. I have lived in Gifu for more than forty years. Gifu prefecture is rich in nature so you can enjoy the rural atmosphere. Gifu city has a beautiful river 'Nagara river' and Mt.Kinka which has Gifu castle on the top. You can go up the mountain on foot or use a ropeway. The view from Gifu castle is so fantastic. At the foot of the mountain , there are many places to visit such as parks, a temple having a big image of Buddha, and a street preserving the historic atmosphere. At Nagara River, you can enjoy seeing a traditional way of fishing ‘cormorant fishing’ which is thought to have started 1300 years ago. Many cafes have unique service called 'morning service' in Gifu along with Aichi In the morning (until about ten thirty or eleven) when you order a cup of tea or coffee, they serve toast and salad ! Near Gifu park , you can find a nice Japanese style cafe where you enjoy good coffee and seeing a Japanese style garden. Seki city is a small city but so famous for its cutlery. At Japanese sword museum in Seki, you can see authentic Japanese swords! Mino city next to Seki city is well known for its hand made Japanese paper 'Hon minoshi' designated as intangible cultural asset by UNESCO . Until recently it was not easy to guide guests because of COVID-19 pandemic; however the situation is getting better. Some strict rules about COVID-19 have been lifted. Please visit Gifu. I am looking forward to seeing you. Please feel free to ask me when you need information about Gifu. Thank you for reading my introduction.                                                                                                                                 

Plan your trip to Japan

Chat with a local tour guide who can help organize your trip.

Get Started