[Gunma ]Three plum blossom viewing spots decorated with red and white flowers in early spring.
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2023-02-28
As the severe cold eases and the arrival of spring is felt, ume (plum) blossoms begin to bloom. There are many attractive ume viewing spots scattered throughout Japan. Gunma Prefecture also has a number of ume viewing spots, among which "introduce Haruna Plum Grove, Minogo Plum Grove, and Akima Plum Grove, three of Gunma's three largest plum groves ".
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Table of Contents
- 1.2.2-1.2-2.3.3-1.3-2.4.4-1.
The second largest ume harvest in Japan, in Nishikamishu "Gunma's three largest ume groves "
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As an accompaniment to rice, pickled plums are indispensable. Wakayama Prefecture produces the largest amount of ume in Japan, followed by Gunma Prefecture in second place. Especially in the western Kamishu region, plums have been actively cultivated for a long time, and the fruits are harvested, processed into various foods, and shipped. Three plum groves, Haruna Plum Grove in Takasaki City, Minogo Plum Grove, and Akima Plum Grove in Annaka City, are collectively known as "Gunma's three largest plum groves ". All of these ume groves are vast sites with the mountains of Jyoshu in the background, where the actual ume trees are cultivated.
Haruna Merlin (Takasaki City)
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Haruna Plum Grove, which stretches approximately 400 hectares at the southeastern foot of Mt.
The Haruna Plum Grove spreads out against the backdrop of Mt. Haruna, one of the three Jomo Mountains rising in the northwestern part of Takasaki City. Near the summit of the 1,449-meter-high mountain is Lake Haruna, a caldera lake created by volcanic activity, and the Haruna-Fuji lava dome on the central crater hill. Around 120,000 plum trees are planted on a 400-hectare site at the southeast foot of Haruna Fuji. The rolling hills are usually filled with pure white plum blossoms from early to late March, giving off a sweet plum fragrance. The "Haruna Plum Festival "is held during the plum blossom viewing season.
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The Haruna Plum Grove is located on a hillside to the southwest of the Haruna Cultural Hall Ecole in Kamisatomi-cho, Takasaki City. The vast site has a 1780-meter long "Shirakaga "course, a 1530-meter long "Beniyooro "course, a 1250-meter long "Baiyogo "course, a 1400-meter long "Nanko "course, a 360-meter long "Orihime "course, and a 1530-meter long Umego course. There are also walking trails.
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There is an easy walking path through the plum grove. The path continues for a long time with plum blossoms on either side, but the slope is gentle, so you will not get tired if you walk slowly.
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A gazebo is located on a hill in the center of the plum grove. From the viewing platform, a 360-degree panoramic view of the plum blossoms is spectacular. To the northwest, Mt. Haruna looms majestically over the plum blossoms, taking one's breath away. It may be necessary to note that this is the only restroom in the vast area of the plum grove.
Ride on a tote carriage and watch the plum blossoms flow from side to side without tiring.
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"On the days of Haruna's Ume Festival ", totettei carriages run around the gazebo. The name comes from the brass trumpet "totetetei "sounded by the gyoja (gyoja) pulling the horses as they ran.
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From the carriage carriages, visitors can admire the plum blossoms flowing from side to side. Since all you have to do is sit on a bench, you can move through the endless plum grove without getting tired. Seeing the plum blossoms swaying as they move will surely be an irreplaceable memory.
"Haruna's Plum Blossom Festival "a wide variety of events at
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In addition to the Tote Carriage service, a wide variety of events are planned for the "Haruna Plum Blossom Festival ". A special stage will be set up in the plaza in front of the Haruna Cultural Hall Ecole.
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A variety of events will be held on a special stage, including a performance by Jyoshu Haruna Taiko drummers, koto and shakuhachi flute players, a performance by the Haruna Ondo Preservation Society, a magic show, bingo games, and a ume seed-skipping contest.
While the traditional entertainment events amidst the fragrance of plum blossoms are enjoyable, it seems that what gets visitors excited is the timing of the free food distribution. When the distribution of ume sekihan (red rice with ume blossoms) begins, a long line quickly forms in front of the tent.
Ume udon is as popular as sekihan. The udon noodles are handed out one after another in an orderly fashion, so the prepared udon noodles are gone in the blink of an eye. Check the distribution time to make sure you don't miss it.
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With free ume juice, pickled plums, and amazake (sweet sake), the entire day will be filled with plums. You will surely discover a new taste for plums.
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If you feel that the free distribution is not enough, you can stock up at the stores surrounding the plaza. As Nishikamishu boasts the second largest ume harvest in Japan, they seem to be doing a good job of promoting their processed ume products.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Haruna Bairin
Address: 1072-1 Kamisatomi-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture (Haruna Cultural Hall Ecole)
Telephone number: 027-374-5111 (Haruna Tourist Association)
Admission material No material
Closed: None
Access From JR Takasaki Line "Takasaki Station ", take Gunma Bus "bound for Murota (Gonda) via Satomi ", about 50 minutes, get off at "Ecole Iriguchi "stop, and walk about 3 minutes.
Official Web Site
https://www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp/kankou/nature/harunabairin.html
Minogo Umeirin (Takasaki City)
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Minogo Plum Grove is located at the southern foot of Mount Haruna, which rises in the northwestern part of Takasaki City. Minogo Plum Grove is located on a hillside at an elevation of 140 to 390 meters above sea level, overlooking the Kanto Plain, and is maintained as a plum grove. The site covers an area of about 300 hectares, where around 100,000 plum trees are cultivated, making it one of "Gunma's three largest plum groves ". Usually from early to late March, plum blossoms are in full bloom all over the area, and the "Misato Ume Festival "is held during the best time of the year to view the blossoms.
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Of the vast Minogo Plum Grove, the area around Misato Plum Park in the Kanizawa district is the most visited.
A plum grove where wild plum seeds are said to have fallen with the eruption of Mt.
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It is said that when Mt. Haruna erupted in the park many years ago, seeds of wild ume plum trees fell along with the erupting volcano. The "nurturing white plum tree "that grows in a section of the park is reportedly a descendant of these seeds. It is said that Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) holding a child appears on its trunk, and it is worshipped as a sacred tree that brings prosperity and happiness to local offspring.
Many ume trees between 10 and 30 years old are grown in Misato Ume Park, and they seem to be suitable for harvesting ume fruits. The harvested fruits are processed into food products such as pickled plums and shipped nationwide. The park grounds have few inclines and are lined with easy walking paths. Strolling along the promenade, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of ume blossoms.
"During the Misato Ume Festival ", cut branches of plums, plum juice, plum buns, etc. will be distributed free of charge at Misato Ume Park. Numbers are limited, so you will need to visit early.
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Sometimes events such as monkey shows are held in the park.
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A street of stores is located adjacent to the park. The stalls and stalls lining the street sell ume paste, ume jam, ume juice, and other processed foods, as well as the Jyoshu specialty, yakimanjyu (baked buns).
Driving along the Minogo Fruit Line
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The Minogo Plum Grove is spectacular with its vast hills covered with plum blossoms, but unfortunately, it is not easily accessible by public transportation. Unfortunately, it is not easily accessible by public transportation, but there are several parking lots in the area, so it would be better to visit by car. Driving along the Minogo Fruit Line, the endless plum grove looks like a sea of clouds, and the city of Takasaki City spreads out beyond it.
"Facility Information "
Facility Name Minogo Plum Grove (Misato Bairin)
Address: Zenchi and Tomioka, Minogo Town, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture
Phone number: 027-371-9065 (Takasaki City Minogo Branch Office Industry Division)
Admission material No material
Closed: None
Access From JR Takasaki Line "Takasaki Station ", take bus "bound for Minogo ", about 30 min. "Get off at Minogo Office "stop, then take a cab for about 5 min.
Official website https://www.city.takasaki.gunma.jp/kankou/nature/misatobairin.html
Autumn Plum Forest (Anzhong City)
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Akima Plum Grove extends over a hilly area upstream from the Akima River that flows through the western part of Annaka City. Around 35,000 red and white plum trees are cultivated on the 50 hectares of land. "It is considered one of the three largest plum groves in Gunma ". Usually from mid-February to late March, the area is enveloped in the colors of early spring, and "the Akima Plum Grove Festival "is held.
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It has a history of about 60 years as a tourist ume grove. "Shirakaga ", "Oushuku ", "Kagoshima Beni ", "Kankobai ", "Kinshobai ", "Koshu Koume "are some of the varieties planted here.
The flat plaza at the top is a great observation platform.
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The flat plaza at the top of the area provides an excellent vantage point. Plum blossoms cover the gentle slopes beyond your line of sight.
An easy-to-walk promenade is provided in the plum grove. The slope is not steep, so visitors can stroll slowly while looking at plum blossoms on both sides.
Numerous benches are set up along the promenade, as well as pavilions where visitors can sit and rest their feet and immerse themselves in the Japanese atmosphere.
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"During the Akima Plum Grove Festival ", a variety of events are planned, including the distribution of plum branches, Japanese drum performances, model photo shoots, and an imo nioi (potato stew) event.
A variety of ume gourmet foods that can be tasted in the production area
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In addition to the tourist information center, numerous restaurants and stores operate in the summit area. Visitors can taste not only pickled plums, but also other unusual drinks such as togarashi ume tea, fresh ume kelp tea, ume cider, ume tapi, and ume nade. Ume Tapi is a new yogurt-flavored tapioca drink with milk and plum syrup, while Ume Nade is a hot drink with the freshness of plum syrup and the sweetness of honey. The Akima Plum Grove lunchboxes sold during the plum season include not only Akima crunchy little plums and ume bishio, but also sukiyaki, which uses plum juice instead of sugar. It is a great way to enjoy gourmet foods that have been devised in various ways within the production area.
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Around the ume grove, there are many farmers who process ume. In the greenhouses, rows and rows of plums are dried in the sun in ume straw. A sweet and sour aroma wafts from the greenhouses.
"Facility Information "
Facility name Akima Bairin
Address: 672, Nishi-Kami-Akuma-Obuki, Anchu-shi, Gunma
Phone number: 027-382-1111 (Annaka City Tourism Division)
Admission material No material
Closed: None
Access From JR Shinetsu Main Line "Annaka Station "to "for Akima-Nakanoseki "bus for about 20 minutes, then to "Eboshozawa bus stop "get off and walk for about 5 minutes.
Official website https://akimabairin.com/
summary
Gunma Prefecture boasts the second largest ume harvest in Japan. Plum trees have been actively cultivated in Western Kamishu since ancient times, and the Haruna, Minogo, and Akima plum groves introduced in this article are known as Gunma's three largest plum groves: "" All of these plum groves are spectacular, with plum blossoms blooming in profusion across their vast grounds. Processed plum foods are sold and distributed, allowing visitors to enjoy early spring not only visually, but also with their taste buds.
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