Prior to the public opening on January 20 of the New Year highlight in the Lake Biwa area, "Nagahama Bonbaiten," or a plum tree bonsai exhibition in Nagahama, a private viewing was held on January 14 at "Keiunkan," an exhibition venue in Minato-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Visitors were greeted with the sweet smell of early-flowering pink and white plum blossoms.

This exhibition, being held for the 60th time, began in 1952 when residents donated several dozen Bonbai pots to the city. Another plum tress bonsai exhibition, "Azai Bonbaiten," which is held annually at the same time, was postponed because the historical exhibition "Go / Azai Sanshimai Hakurankai," featuring Go-Hime, one of the three Azai sisters, is using the exhibition's annual venue.

Approximately 90 bonsai are displayed in the exhibition room, including "Furo," or a 400 year-old double-flowered red plum tree, and three red plum trees named after the three Azai sisters, "Chacha," "Hatsu" and "Go," in conjunction with the historical exhibition. At present, a portion of the white and red plum blossoms are at eighty percent of full-bloom, and buds on the old red plum tree have begun to show color. Participants in the private viewing eagerly snapped photos.

According to the Nagahama City Tourism Section, their peak will be around the end of this month. The Bonbai will be rotated during the exhibition which continues until March 10. The admission fee is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students.