Minabe Town is a beautiful rural community in the southern part of Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture. Facing the Kii Channel, the town is surrounded by a diverse natural landscape of beautiful coastlines, gentle hills, clear rivers, and forest-covered mountains.
Minabe is best known throughout Japan as the “town of ume,” or Japanese plums. It is particularly famous as the birthplace of Nanko Ume, one of Japan’s most highly regarded varieties of ume.
The town is Japan’s leading producer of both ume and umeboshi, the traditional Japanese pickled plums. The cultivation and processing of ume have shaped the history, economy, landscape, and food culture of Minabe for centuries.
However, ume is only one part of the town’s appeal. Minabe is also an important production area for Kishu Binchotan charcoal, a traditional high-quality white charcoal made from ubame oak. In addition, visitors can discover sections of the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, hot springs, fresh seafood, traditional festivals, scenic coastlines, and numerous local food experiences.
From plum blossoms in spring to beaches and fireworks in summer, traditional festivals in autumn, and hot springs and seasonal foods in winter, Minabe offers something to discover throughout the year.
It is impossible to talk about Minabe without mentioning Nanko Ume.
These large Japanese plums are known for their abundant flesh, soft texture, and juicy quality. They are particularly prized for making umeboshi and are considered among the finest ume varieties in Japan.
The history of Nanko Ume dates back to the middle of the 20th century. In 1950, researchers began evaluating approximately 114 varieties of ume cultivated in the local area in order to identify the best variety.
After years of careful selection, a variety known as Takada Ume was recognized as particularly outstanding. It was eventually named Nanko Ume, honoring the research and efforts of the horticulture department of the former Nanbu High School.
Today, approximately 80 percent of the ume grown in Minabe is Nanko Ume. The name has become well known not only throughout Japan but also among consumers overseas.
The ume-growing areas of Minabe and neighboring Tanabe have also attracted international attention for their unique agricultural traditions.
In 2015, the Minabe-Tanabe Ume System was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The system represents a sustainable form of agriculture that makes productive use of relatively poor soils while working in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.
Ume orchards, charcoal production, beekeeping, and the surrounding ecosystem form an interconnected agricultural cycle. This system represents generations of local knowledge and the ingenuity of farmers who learned how to make productive use of the region’s natural resources.
One of Minabe’s most famous attractions is Minabe Plum Grove, known in Japanese as Nanbu Bairin.
Described by the poetic expression “a million blossoms at a glance, their fragrance carried for ten miles,” it is one of Japan’s largest plum blossom viewing areas.
The plum blossom season generally runs from late January through early March. During this period, hillsides are covered with thousands of white plum blossoms, creating a spectacular landscape.
A gentle fragrance fills the air as visitors walk through the orchards, offering a distinctly Japanese way to experience the arrival of spring.
Minabe is home to several other beautiful plum-growing areas, including Iwashiro Great Plum Grove and Senri Plum Grove.
Each has its own character. Some offer expansive views across the hills, while others combine plum blossoms with views of the ocean.
For photographers and travelers interested in seasonal landscapes, visiting several of these areas provides different perspectives on Minabe’s famous plum country.
Ume cultivation in Minabe is believed to have expanded significantly during the early Edo period.
The Kishu-Tanabe domain encouraged farmers to plant ume trees by designating otherwise unproductive land as tax-exempt land. This policy helped farmers make effective use of the region’s relatively poor soil while developing a valuable agricultural product.
Over time, Kishu umeboshi became famous in Edo, present-day Tokyo. Barrels of umeboshi stamped with the mark indicating their origin in Kishu-Tanabe became popular as a premium product.
During the Meiji period, a local entrepreneur named Uchinaka Genzo established a processing facility and successfully developed an integrated system covering both production and processing.
This helped Minabe grow into one of Japan’s leading ume-producing regions and strengthened the connection between ume cultivation and the local economy.
Visitors to Minabe will find an impressive variety of products made from ume.
Traditional shiroboshi, or salt-pickled ume dried in the sun, and shiso-flavored umeboshi are still widely enjoyed. At the same time, modern products include honey-sweetened umeboshi, reduced-salt varieties, ume juice, ume syrup, ume jam, sweets, and other ume-based foods.
Ume is also widely appreciated in Japan as a traditional food associated with appetite and everyday well-being, making it an easy ingredient to incorporate into meals and snacks.
Minabe has even created a unique local initiative known as the “Umeboshi Onigiri Ordinance.”
Established in 2014, the ordinance encourages people to enjoy rice balls, or onigiri, filled with Minabe’s Nanko Ume. Its purpose is to promote ume products and strengthen the local economy and food culture.
The initiative was partly inspired by concerns about declining ume consumption, particularly among younger generations. The ordinance represents a community-wide effort involving local government, farmers, businesses, and residents to preserve and pass on Minabe’s ume culture.
Every year on June 6, Ume Day, children at local schools may take part in activities in which they make and eat their own umeboshi onigiri.
Minabe is also famous as a production area for Kishu Binchotan, a traditional Japanese white charcoal.
Binchotan is made by heating ubame oak at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and then rapidly cooling the charcoal. The result is a dense charcoal that burns with strong, stable heat for a long time.
It has traditionally been prized by high-end Japanese restaurants and restaurants specializing in grilled eel, where its clean and powerful heat is highly valued.
Kishu Binchotan has also gained international recognition as one of Japan’s representative traditional charcoal products.
The history of charcoal production in the Kishu region is said to extend back as far as the Heian period.
During the Edo period, the Kishu domain encouraged charcoal distribution, and charcoal production became an important part of the local economy.
The name Binchotan is traditionally said to have become established through a charcoal wholesaler named Bichuya Chozaemon.
At the Kishu Binchotan Promotion Center, visitors can learn about the history, production methods, and cultural significance of this traditional charcoal.
Exhibits include charcoal crafts and musical instruments made from Binchotan. Hands-on activities, such as making wind chimes and bracelets, are also popular.
The center provides an interesting opportunity to discover a traditional Japanese industry that is closely connected with the forests and rural landscape of Minabe.
Senri Beach is one of Minabe’s most scenic coastal areas. The beach stretches for approximately 1.3 kilometers and features a beautiful landscape of white sand and pine trees.
It is also part of the historic Kii Route of the Kumano Kodo, meaning that pilgrims traveling toward the sacred sites of Kumano once walked along this coastline.
Standing beside the broad expanse of the ocean, visitors can imagine the travelers of centuries past continuing their long pilgrimage while feeling the sea breeze.
Senri Beach is also known as one of the important nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles in Japan.
The beach is particularly beautiful around sunset and has been selected as one of the “100 Best Sunrises and Sunsets in Wakayama.”
Kashima is an uninhabited island located offshore in Minabe Bay.
The island has long been regarded as sacred, and local tradition tells a dramatic story about its role in protecting the community.
According to legend, during the 1707 Hoei Earthquake, the resulting tsunami was divided by Kashima Island, protecting the villages of Minabe from the full force of the waves.
In gratitude for this protection, the local community began the Kashima Shrine Fireworks Festival, a tradition that continues today.
In summer, visitors can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and fireworks illuminating the night sky over the bay.
Several important sacred sites associated with the Kumano Kodo can be found in Minabe.
These include Senri-oji, Iwashiro-oji, and Minabe-oji, which were among the many Oji shrines located along the pilgrimage routes.
Oji were subsidiary sacred sites where pilgrims could stop, rest, and worship during their journey toward the Kumano Sanzan, the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano.
Over the centuries, emperors, retired emperors, aristocrats, and ordinary pilgrims traveled the Kumano Kodo. Walking through Minabe provides an opportunity to experience this remarkable combination of nature, history, and religious tradition.
The Suga Shrine Autumn Festival, affectionately known as the Goryo-san Autumn Festival, is one of Minabe’s most important traditional events.
The festival includes a ceremonial procession centered around a sacred object, horse racing, and yabusame, a traditional Japanese ritual in which mounted archers shoot arrows at targets while riding horses.
The event brings the local community together in a lively celebration and has been designated a Wakayama Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
At the autumn festival of Seikawa Tembo Shrine, the traditional Nanouchi Shishimai lion dance is performed.
Accompanied by flutes and drums, the dancers perform a powerful and graceful sequence that has been passed down through generations of local residents.
Held every year on August 1, the Kashima Shrine Fireworks Festival is a traditional summer event with a history of approximately 300 years.
About 2,000 fireworks are launched over Minabe Bay, illuminating the summer night sky above the water.
The combination of fireworks, ocean, and surrounding mountains creates one of Minabe’s most memorable summer scenes.
The waters around Minabe are influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, supporting a rich variety of marine life.
Fresh catches include spiny lobster, horse mackerel, mackerel, cutlassfish, bonito, flounder, octopus, and squid.
Local seafood is also processed into products such as dried fish and shirasu, small white fish that are commonly enjoyed with rice and other Japanese dishes.
Kué, or longtooth grouper, is one of the area’s prized luxury fish.
Its rich, fatty white flesh has a deep flavor and is often enjoyed as sashimi or in a hot pot.
Utsubo, Japanese moray eel, is another local specialty. Traditionally valued as a source of collagen-rich fish meat, it is prepared in several regional dishes and offers adventurous visitors a taste of local cuisine.
Nanban-yaki is a traditional local type of fish cake made from finely ground white fish paste and grilled until fragrant.
Gobou-maki is another regional delicacy. Softly simmered burdock root is wrapped in fish skin and grilled with a special sauce, creating a distinctive and luxurious local specialty.
The Kishu Umeboshi Museum is a popular destination for visitors who want to discover the world of Japanese pickled plums.
Visitors can learn about the production process and sample different varieties of umeboshi, ranging from traditionally salty and sour styles to sweeter versions flavored with honey.
Hands-on experiences such as making umeboshi and ume juice are also popular with families and travelers.
The Ume Promotion Center introduces the history and culture of Minabe, widely known as Japan’s “town of ume.”
Exhibits explore the history, science, literature, agriculture, and environmental aspects of ume, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of why this fruit has become so important to the region.
Komez Park is a spacious seaside park with open lawns and children’s playground equipment.
It is a popular place for families and picnics, offering visitors a chance to relax in the sea breeze while enjoying views of the coastline.
Minabe offers several hot spring destinations, including Tsuru-no-Yu Onsen, Minabe Onsen, and Kishu Minabe Senrihama Onsen.
Some accommodations offer baths with views of the ocean, providing a relaxing way to recover after exploring the town, walking the Kumano Kodo, or visiting the plum groves.
The town also offers a range of accommodation, from resort hotels to traditional Japanese inns.
In recent years, Minabe has also attracted attention as a destination for workations, allowing visitors to combine remote work with a slower lifestyle surrounded by mountains, orchards, and the sea.
Minabe Plum Grove is the town’s best-known sightseeing destination.
During the flowering season from late January to early March, the hillsides are covered with white plum blossoms. The sweet fragrance of the flowers fills the air, creating a beautiful and peaceful spring landscape.
Walking trails allow visitors to explore the orchards, and some viewpoints offer impressive views across the plum fields toward the sea.
During the viewing season, visitors can also enjoy local specialties, ume-based dishes, and regional products, making it an ideal place to experience Minabe’s food culture as well as its scenery.
Iwashiro Great Plum Grove is another impressive area, with approximately 20,000 plum trees flowering across the gently rolling hills.
On clear days, the white blossoms contrast beautifully with the blue sky.
The area can offer a quieter atmosphere than some of the more famous viewing spots, making it appealing to travelers who prefer a peaceful walk and photography away from large crowds.
Senri Plum Grove occupies elevated ground overlooking the ocean.
Here, visitors can enjoy two of Minabe’s defining landscapes at once: plum blossoms and the sea.
The contrast between the white flowers and blue waters creates a particularly beautiful spring scene, while the combination of sea breeze and plum fragrance makes the experience especially refreshing.
Senri Beach is a historic coastal section of the Kii Route of the Kumano Kodo and is notable because it is the only section of this pilgrimage route where visitors can walk directly along the beach.
The approximately 1.3-kilometer stretch of white sand and pine trees has welcomed travelers for centuries.
It is also a famous sunset destination. At dusk, the surface of the ocean can glow golden beneath the setting sun, creating a peaceful and atmospheric scene.
The beach is also an important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles and is carefully protected as a valuable natural environment.
Kashima Island, located offshore from Minabe Bay, has traditionally been regarded as a sacred “island of the gods.” Kashima Shrine stands on the island.
The local legend that the island protected Minabe from a devastating tsunami has made it a particularly meaningful place for the community.
Visitors can enjoy the surrounding coastal environment, including activities such as swimming, exploring the rocky shore, and fishing in appropriate areas. The annual fireworks festival on August 1 is another major attraction.
The Kishu Umeboshi Museum is an excellent place to explore Minabe’s most famous food.
Visitors can see how umeboshi are produced and sample a wide range of flavors. Traditional sour varieties are available alongside milder and sweeter styles, including honey-flavored umeboshi.
Hands-on activities such as umeboshi-making and ume juice-making provide a fun way for visitors to learn about the local food culture.
The Ume Promotion Center presents the history and culture of Minabe’s ume industry from a variety of perspectives.
Visitors can learn about ume agriculture, history, science, literature, and the relationship between plum cultivation and the local environment.
Panoramic displays related to Minabe Plum Grove and exhibits explaining the science behind umeboshi make the facility accessible and interesting for both children and adults.
The Kishu Binchotan Promotion Center introduces one of Minabe’s most important traditional industries.
Visitors can learn how Binchotan is produced and discover the history of charcoal making in the Kishu region.
Displays include charcoal crafts and musical instruments, while hands-on workshops offer opportunities to make items such as wind chimes and accessories.
The center also introduces modern uses of Binchotan, including applications related to deodorizing and humidity control, showing how an ancient craft continues to find new roles today.
Komez Park is a relaxing seaside green space where visitors can enjoy the ocean breeze.
Large playground equipment makes it particularly popular with families, while trees such as cherry and Japanese black pine add seasonal beauty.
Visitors can combine a visit to the park with a walk along the nearby coast or simply enjoy a picnic while looking out toward the sea.
Suga Shrine is one of Minabe’s historic shrines. It is traditionally said to have received its deity from Kyoto’s Gion Yasaka Shrine during the reign of Emperor Ichijo.
The present main sanctuary dates from the middle of the Edo period and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture.
Its vermilion-painted architecture and decorative carvings are among the highlights.
Every October, the shrine hosts the Goryo-san Autumn Festival, featuring traditional rituals including yabusame and a ceremonial procession.
Minabe is home to several historic Oji shrines associated with the Kumano Kodo.
Senri-oji, Iwashiro-oji, and Minabe-oji were important places of worship along the pilgrimage route. Imperial pilgrims and aristocrats are recorded as having stopped at such sacred sites during journeys to Kumano.
Walking between these historic sites provides a quiet opportunity to experience the religious history and cultural landscape of the Kumano Kodo.
Nishi-Iwashiro Hachiman Shrine preserves a historic circular performance stage, or maiwatashi, also known as a nagayuka, which is considered among the oldest of its kind in Wakayama Prefecture.
During shrine festivals, the traditional Ko-odori children’s dance is performed. The performance has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture.
Higashi-Iwashiro Hachiman Shrine is surrounded by an impressive natural atmosphere and is home to one of the largest camphor trees in the town.
During the autumn festival, children from the local community perform traditional dances, continuing a cultural tradition that remains an important part of local life.
In spring, the area around Shimanose Dam becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing destination.
Approximately 500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom around the reservoir, creating a colorful spring landscape.
During the blossom season, colorful carp streamers known as koinobori are displayed by local residents, adding a festive atmosphere to the scenery.
Near Tanga Jizo stands a magnificent ginkgo tree believed to be approximately 300 years old.
In autumn, its leaves turn brilliant golden yellow, creating a beautiful seasonal sight.
The tree is carefully protected as a valuable natural landmark and has become a popular destination for visitors looking for autumn scenery.
Cafe de manma is a popular cafe and restaurant where visitors can enjoy a meal while looking out over the ocean.
The menu makes use of local ingredients, including Minabe’s famous Nanko Ume. Popular dishes include omelet rice made with local plum-fed eggs and Wakayama Ponch, a colorful local dessert featuring regional fruits.
The ocean view and relaxed atmosphere make the cafe a pleasant stop during a sightseeing trip around Minabe.
The Honmamon Furusato Direct Sales Center offers locally produced vegetables, fruits, ume products, and other seasonal specialties.
In addition to Nanko Ume, visitors may find tomatoes, beans, flowers, and other agricultural products depending on the season.
For travelers interested in local food, a direct-sales market is an excellent way to discover what is being harvested in Minabe at the time of their visit.
Plum Kobo Main Store is a specialty shop devoted to ume products with more than a century of history.
The store offers a wide range of products, including its popular honey-sweetened umeboshi, ume-based drinks, ume sweets, and other souvenirs.
Visitors can also enjoy hands-on umeboshi-making experiences and relax at the shop’s cafe.
At Strawberry Farm Maato Kobo, visitors can enjoy strawberry picking from approximately February through May.
Guests can pick fully ripened strawberries and eat them fresh on the spot, making the experience popular with families and couples.
Homemade strawberry jam and other products also make attractive souvenirs.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Minabe. From late January into early March, the famous plum groves turn white with blossoms.
As the season progresses, cherry blossoms and fresh green foliage add further color to the landscape.
Summer brings visitors to the coast, where they can enjoy the sea, beaches, fishing, and the refreshing ocean breeze.
The Kashima Shrine Fireworks Festival on August 1 is one of the highlights of the season, with fireworks reflected across Minabe Bay.
Autumn is a season of traditional festivals, with Suga Shrine, Seikawa Tembo Shrine, and other local communities celebrating their historic traditions.
The changing colors of the ginkgo trees and surrounding mountains also provide beautiful seasonal scenery.
Winter is an ideal time to slow down and enjoy Minabe’s hot springs and local cuisine.
Fresh seafood, ume products, and the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside offer a relaxing contrast to the busy pace of everyday life.
Minabe Town is much more than Japan’s famous “town of ume.”
Its identity has been shaped by the relationship between people and the natural environment: plum orchards cultivated on relatively poor land, forests providing the raw material for Binchotan charcoal, bees supporting agriculture, and the sea providing abundant seafood.
Its recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System reflects this long-standing relationship between agriculture and nature.
At the same time, the Kumano Kodo and historic Oji shrines reveal a deeper spiritual history, while traditional festivals preserve the customs and beliefs of local communities.
For travelers, Minabe offers the opportunity to experience all of these elements in one destination: plum blossoms, ocean scenery, mountain landscapes, traditional culture, hot springs, local food, and the warm atmosphere of a rural Japanese community.
Whether you visit to taste Nanko Ume, walk through the famous plum groves, explore the Kumano Kodo, discover the traditional craft of Kishu Binchotan, or simply enjoy the sea and countryside, Minabe offers a memorable journey into the natural and cultural heritage of Wakayama.