Tsukigase Plum Grove is a historic plum-growing area in Tsukigase Oyama and the surrounding district of Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Approximately 13,000 plum trees spread across the scenic valley of the Satsuki River, creating a spectacular landscape known as Tsukigase Baikei, or the Tsukigase Plum Valley. Renowned for its natural beauty and long history, the area was among the earliest places in Japan to be designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and has attracted visitors for generations.
Tsukigase Plum Grove lies on the northern side of the Yamato Plateau, near the boundary between the Nara and Iga basins. The area is close to the point where Nara, Kyoto, and Mie prefectures meet. It is approximately 30 kilometers east of central Nara City and about 12 kilometers southwest of central Iga City in Mie Prefecture.
The Nabari River, part of the Kizu River system, cuts through the surrounding landscape, forming a deep, V-shaped valley known locally as the Satsuki River Valley. Plum trees cover the steep slopes, stretching from the valley floor up the hillsides. The combination of rugged terrain, seasonal blossoms, and expansive views makes this one of Nara Prefecture’s most distinctive scenic destinations.
The completion of Takayama Dam in 1969 submerged part of the former river valley, creating the reservoir now known as Lake Tsukigase. Today, the calm lake waters complement the surrounding plum groves, adding a different dimension to the area’s natural beauty.
The grove sits at an elevation of approximately 200 to 300 meters. Plum blossoms generally reach their peak from mid-March to late March, roughly half a month later than in central Nara City. During this period, visitors can enjoy the sight of blossoms spreading across the hillsides, making Tsukigase an excellent destination for welcoming the arrival of spring.
Until around the beginning of the Meiji period in the late nineteenth century, Tsukigase was an important production center for ubai, a traditional smoked and processed plum used in the preparation of dyes for red safflower fabrics. Plum trees were cultivated extensively to supply the young fruit needed for this process. At its height during the Edo period, the area is said to have contained approximately 100,000 plum trees.
During the twentieth century, the development of synthetic dyes reduced demand for ubai, bringing changes to the local plum industry. Cultivation gradually shifted toward edible green plums, while the scenic beauty of the groves became an increasingly important attraction for visitors.
Many of the plum trees at Tsukigase are late-blooming varieties valued for their abundant fruit production. A 1957 academic survey noted that this emphasis on productive varieties had somewhat diminished the traditional impression of plum blossoms as an early-spring spectacle.
Historically, the area also contained many naturally growing plum trees that had not undergone extensive selective breeding. These trees were suitable for producing ubai, but their strongly acidic fruit presented challenges when the industry began shifting toward plums intended for eating.
When Tsukigase was redesignated as a Place of Scenic Beauty in 1950, records described the plum-growing landscape across the former village of Tsukigase as covering approximately 104 square kilometers, with 3,108 plum trees recorded. As tourism developed, the number of trees increased. Materials published by the local preservation association in 1988 reported approximately 10,000 plum trees.
According to the 2000 Census of Agriculture and Forestry, the former village also had approximately 5.6 hectares of agricultural plum groves cultivated by 21 farming households. These figures illustrate the area’s dual role as both a celebrated scenic destination and a center of local agriculture.
Tsukigase Plum Grove has a long history of official protection. On March 8, 1922, it was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty under Japan’s former Law for the Preservation of Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments. It was among the first sites to receive this type of national designation.
In 1950, following the introduction of Japan’s Cultural Properties Protection Law, the designation was renewed. On July 1, 1975, the area was designated as part of Tsukigase Kounoyama Prefectural Natural Park in Nara Prefecture. On March 6, 2006, an old plum tree in Tsukigase Momokano was designated a cultural property by Nara City.
Nara City continues to consider how best to understand, protect, and manage Tsukigase Plum Grove. Future conservation efforts must balance the preservation of its historic landscape with the development of tourism and the needs of local agriculture. Sustainable management will be essential to ensure that the plum groves remain a valuable natural and cultural resource for generations to come.
With its sweeping valley views, tranquil reservoir, and thousands of flowering plum trees, Tsukigase Plum Grove is one of Nara Prefecture’s most memorable spring destinations. The area also tells the story of a traditional industry that evolved over centuries, from the production of smoked plums to modern fruit cultivation and tourism.
For travelers seeking a quieter side of Nara beyond its famous temples and historic monuments, Tsukigase offers an opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. Visiting during the mid-to-late March flowering season is an especially rewarding way to appreciate this remarkable landscape.