This weekend, holidaymakers in Japan are enjoying plum blossom viewing in Ogose Town, northwest of Tokyo, where about 1,000 plum trees are in full bloom.

The two-hector plum grove in Ogose is one of the largest in the region, and is home to 40 varieties of plum trees, which are called ume in Japanese.

A local tourism association says the trees began to bloom in early February, about one week earlier than usual. Late-blooming varieties are now coming into full bloom.

Visitors enjoyed viewing red and white plum flowers above yellow Adonis blossoms, which are still blooming, unlike in usual years.

Tourism association official Osawa Masafumi said the history of Ogose plum grove is unique as 90 of the trees are more than 250 years old.

He said that he wants many people to enjoy viewing white flowers of the Shirakaga variety, which is expected to come into full bloom soon.

Visitors can enjoy viewing the plum blossoms for another week.

In Mito City, north of Tokyo, people enjoyed tasting more than 150 kinds of plum wine, called umeshu, from across the country.

The event was held on Saturday at a shrine beside Kairakuen park, a popular viewing spot for plum blossoms.

Visitors pay about 9 dollars for 30 minutes of tasting a variety of plum wine.

The umeshu wine is made from green plums and sugar that is fermented in a base of shochu liqueur, sake, or brandy as each produces different flavors and tastes.

Visitors were seen purchasing umeshu bottles after enjoying their tasting sessions.

The event runs through Sunday.