This Golden Week, Ume no Mise Senrianin in Minabe Town — a region widely recognized as Japan's foremost plum-producing area — is hosting a hands-on plum workshop on May 4 (Mon) and May 5 (Tue), 2026. The 1.5-hour event brings together three activities: a walk through the plum orchard, a plum syrup-making session, and a rice ball workshop using a selection of 10 plum varieties.
Event Overview
- Dates: May 4 (Mon) and May 5 (Tue), 2026
- Session 1: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
- Duration: 1.5 hours (orchard visit, plum syrup making, ume onigiri making)
- Capacity: Up to 10 groups per day (minimum 4 participants required to proceed)
- Registration Deadline: May 3, 2026
Participation Fees
| Participant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult | ¥5,000 (tax included) |
| First child (elementary or junior high school student) | Free |
| Additional child (elementary or junior high school student) | ¥2,500 |
High school students are charged the adult rate. Pre-school children are not eligible to participate. All material costs are included. Each participant takes home one bottle of plum syrup.
Payment: Collected on the day of the event.
Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor activity. Rain gear is recommended.
No allergy accommodations are available.
Three Workshop Activities
① Plum Orchard Visit
The workshop begins with a short walk to the plum field directly adjacent to the shop, where participants can touch the plump green plums still growing on the trees. In the event of rain, this portion becomes an observation-only visit.
② My Plum Syrup Making
Using frozen Nanko plums, participants make a syrup that is described as easy to prepare and richly flavorful. The syrup is ready to drink in around 1 to 3 weeks after taking it home — significantly faster than the 1 to 3 months typically needed when making syrup with fresh plums at room temperature. The flavor continues to develop over time, so participants can discover their own preferred point of ripeness. The session wraps up with a custom label for each participant's bottle.
③ My Ume Onigiri Making
Participants choose two varieties from Senrianin's Ume no Irodori Assort (10 flavors available) and shape them into rice balls, which are then tasted fresh on the spot. Minabe Town is known for its unusual local "ume onigiri ordinance," through which local elementary schoolchildren make their own rice balls and learn about the role plums play in the region's identity.
Schedule
Session 1
- 10:00 AM: Gather at Senrianin shop, pay participation fee
- 10:10–10:30 AM: Plum orchard visit (adjacent field)
- 10:40–11:00 AM: My Plum Syrup making (event space)
- 11:00–11:30 AM: My Ume Onigiri making (event space)
- 11:30 AM onwards: Shopping time (Senrianin shop)
Session 2
- 12:30 PM: Gather at Senrianin shop, pay participation fee
- 12:40–1:00 PM: Plum orchard visit (adjacent field)
- 1:10–1:30 PM: My Plum Syrup making (event space)
- 1:30–2:00 PM: My Ume Onigiri making (event space)
- 2:00 PM onwards: Shopping time (Senrianin shop)
After the workshop, participants can browse the shop's selection of plum products, including the Ume no Irodori Assort used during the event, along with various other plum-based goods.
Registration
To sign up, use the online application form or call 0120-23-7044. When registering by phone, please provide: preferred date, representative's name, address, phone number, and number of participants. Cancellations can be made by phone at no charge.
Access
- Address: 1224 Yamanai, Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama 645-0012
- By car: Approximately 4 minutes from Minabe IC on the Hanwa Expressway
- By train: Approximately 4 minutes by taxi from JR Minabe Station
