On January 20, which is "Daikan," or the coldest day of winter according to the Japanese traditional calendar, the Lake Biwa area winter highlight "Nagahama Bonbaiten," or the Nagahama plum tree bonsai exhibition, opened at "Keiunkan," an exhibition venue in Minato-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. In contrast to the lingering snow outside, pink and white plum blossoms have begun blooming in the exhibition room, which are an early sign of spring's arrival.

This exhibition, being held for the 60th time, is one of the largest plum tree bonsai exhibitions in Japan. The theme of this year's exhibition is "Ko-haku 'Ume' Kassen," or a blooming battle between pink and white blossoms, focusing on the Warring States Period, which is the setting for the current historical exhibition, "Go/Azai Sanshimai Hakurankai."

Around 90 plum tree bonsai will be displayed, including ones estimated to be 400 years old and 350 years old, and three named after the three Azai sisters, "Chacha," "Hatsu" and "Go." The plum tree bonsai will be rotated based on their blooms during the exhibition which continues until March 10.

The opening ceremony was held this day, and Yuji Fujii, mayor of Nagahama, cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. Many enthusiasts who have been anticipating the event visited the exhibition one after another to enjoy plum-blossom viewing amid the wafting floral scent, and some could be seen taking memorial photos.

The exhibition is open daily. The plum blossom bonsai will also be illuminated in the evening from February 10. The admission fee is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students.