In Japan, the annual Setsubun tradition on Feb. 3 where children throw beans to ward off evil, marks the start of the transition to spring.

Despite the chilly temperatures, especially in the northern part of the country, you’ll be surprised to find some early spring flowers are starting to bloom.

If you’ve been in Japan a while, you may have heard of “hanami” blossom viewing. This springtime pastime is usually associated with Sakura (cherry blossom) season around late March and early April in the mainland of Honshu.

However, there are plenty of early blooms heralding the arrival of spring, like suisen (narcissus), nanohama (canola), ume (plum) and kawazusakura (early variety of cherry blossoms). These equally-stunning flowers begin to appear from late January through early February.

If you are in the Miura Peninsula, home to Yokosuka Naval Base and Yokohama North Dock, you’re in luck as the region’s mild climate allows for pleasant spring bloom viewing. Get out and explore!

Taura Bairin plum grove is the only one of its kind in Miura and is home to a whopping 2,700 plum trees. The 6,000 square-meter grove stretches over a hilly area and visitors flock to it every year for a view of the pale white and pink blooms every spring. The grove also has an incredible view of Yokosuka Bay.

Currently, the Bairin Matsuri plum festival is being held until March 1. The event includes kite flying competitions, live performances, flower arrangement demonstrations and free tea service.

Taura Plum Glove Festival

https://www.cocoyoko.net/event/bairin-fes.html

Further south in the peninsula, you can see about 1,000 kawazusakura trees lining the Keikyu rail line near Keikyu Miura Kaigan Station. Thousands of visitors come here to enjoy the view and stroll around the nearby Komatsugaike Pond, which also has trees in bloom.

Kawazusakura is a variety of Sakura blossoms that bloom in early February. Compared to someiyoshino, the most popular variety of cherry blossoms which bloom between late March and early April, Kawazusakura has larger, more reddish blossoms. Like plum blossoms, this type can last up to a month, outlasting the more delicate late-blooming someiyoshino kind.

Until March 3, you can celebrate early spring at the Miura Sakura Matsuri festival. The festival stretches from the station and on the street with dozens of booths selling local foods and drinks.

Miura Sakura Matsuri

https://miurakawazuzakura.wixsite.com/index/en

At Soleil Hill on the Peninsula’s western coast, 100,000 canola flowers bloom every early February.

You can enjoy vast flower fields of these delicate yellow blooms while strolling the beautiful European-style park that spans 28 hectares. The Park has a Ferris wheel, a restaurant, a large athletic field, various glamping cottages and bungalows and a spa with a nice view.

Come for the flowers but stay for all the activities you and your family will enjoy.

Soleil Hill park

https://soleil-park.jp/blooming-info

Off the Peninsula’s south end, Jogashima is a tiny island with over 300,000 lovable white narcissus blossoms blooming now through the end of February.

The aromatic blooms aren’t the only reason to visit this spot also known as “Lovers’ Island.” Here two photogenic lighthouses referred to as the “lighthouses in love” draw visitors looking for a unique view. At an observation tower near Awasaki Lighthouse on the east end of the island, visitors are treated to a 360-degree view of the park, cliffs and shining blue sea. On a clear day, you can also spot the Hakone Mountains and Mt. Fuji from here.

Jogashima Island

https://jogashima-park.jp/

Yokosuka Naval Base

related stories

• VIDEO: 100,000 canola flowers meet their full bloom early February near Yokosuka NB
• VIDEO: Narcissus flowers blooming, heralding early signs of spring near Yokosuka NB
• VIDEO: Jogashima Island in Miura, Kanagawa