The History of the Ume Promotion Center
The facility was first registered as a roadside station on April 11, 1997, under the name “Roadside Station Nanbu River Ume Promotion Center.” It officially opened on July 28 of the same year, serving as a local center for tourism information and cultural promotion.
On October 1, 2004, the former towns of Nanbu and Nanbu River merged to create the present-day Minabe Town. Following the merger, the facility was renamed Roadside Station Minabe Ume Promotion Center.
Since then, the center has played an important role in promoting Minabe’s tourism, culture, agriculture, and local products. Today, it is one of the places where visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the town and its long relationship with plum cultivation.
Highlights Inside the Center
The Ume Promotion Center is divided into three main floors, each with a different theme. The exhibits range from local history and traditional culture to the science and cultivation of Japanese plums, followed by a shopping area featuring regional specialties.
1st Floor: History and Folk Culture Exhibition
The first floor introduces the history, agricultural traditions, and everyday life of Minabe. Visitors can follow the development of the region from ancient times through the medieval period and into more recent history.
The displays include important cultural and archaeological materials from Wakayama Prefecture. They demonstrate that the Minabe area has been an important place for agriculture, settlement, and local culture for many centuries.
The Festival of Suga Shrine
One exhibit recreates the autumn festival of Suga Shrine. Traditional processions are represented using carefully made Japanese paper figures, allowing visitors to visualize how local festivals have been passed down through generations.
Binchotan Charcoal and Packhorses
A detailed diorama shows the traditional production and transportation of Kishu Binchotan charcoal. In the past, charcoal produced in the mountainous areas was transported using packhorses. The display provides an interesting look at the ingenuity and hard work that supported life in the region.
Medieval Samurai Society
Displays based on archaeological discoveries from the remains of a medieval mountain fortress on Mount Hirasu introduce visitors to the world of medieval samurai society. The models help explain the battles, settlements, and lifestyles of people who lived in the region hundreds of years ago.
Six Bronze Bells from the Yayoi Period
Six ancient bronze bells known as dotaku were discovered in the area. These ritual objects date from Japan’s Yayoi period and provide valuable evidence of the agricultural culture that developed in the region. Their discovery offers an intriguing glimpse into the history of rice cultivation and religious practices in ancient Japan.
2nd Floor: Ume Exhibition Zone
The second floor is the main exhibition area and focuses on Japanese plums from a variety of perspectives, including history, literature, science, the environment, and culture.
Visitors can learn not only about the cultivation and uses of plums but also about the long-standing relationship between Japanese people and ume. The displays are designed to be enjoyable and educational for visitors of all ages.
A Panoramic View of Nanko Plum Grove
A large panoramic display recreates the scenery of Nanko Plum Grove, one of Japan’s most famous plum-growing areas. The grove is traditionally described with the phrase “a million blossoms at a glance, their fragrance carried for ten miles,” reflecting the extraordinary scale and fragrance of the flowering season.
The panoramic exhibition allows visitors to experience the beauty of the plum groves throughout the year, even outside the actual flowering season.
The Ume Science Theater
The Ume Science Theater explains the characteristics of umeboshi from a scientific perspective. Visitors can learn about the traditional preservation methods used for Japanese plums and why umeboshi has remained an important part of Japanese cuisine for centuries.
The exhibit provides an enjoyable way to discover the science behind a familiar Japanese food and understand why plum products have been so valuable in everyday life.
Ume in Japanese History and Literature
Another section explores the history of ume in Japan, including how plum culture became established and how the fruit came to be incorporated into everyday life.
Visitors can also discover stories connecting plums with historical figures and examples of how ume has appeared in Japanese literature. These exhibits reveal that the plum is more than an agricultural product—it has also become an important part of Japanese cultural identity.
Exhibition of Ume Blossom Varieties
There are said to be more than 300 varieties of Japanese plum. The center introduces around 50 representative varieties, allowing visitors to compare differences in flower color, shape, and fragrance.
This is particularly interesting for visitors who are planning to see the plum blossoms in person and want to understand the diversity of these beautiful flowering trees.
The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System: A Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
The traditional agricultural system developed in Minabe and neighboring Tanabe was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in 2015.
The system represents a distinctive form of agriculture in which plum cultivation is closely connected with the surrounding natural environment. The exhibits explain the relationship between ume cultivation, Kishu Binchotan charcoal production, honeybees, and the conservation of the local ecosystem.
This section is especially valuable for international visitors because it demonstrates how traditional agricultural practices can support both local communities and the natural environment.
3rd Floor: Roadside Station and Local Products
The third floor features a local products shop called Ume no Eki Minabegawa Village. It offers a wide selection of products made with Minabe’s famous Nanko-ume.
Visitors can choose from traditional salt-preserved umeboshi, honey-flavored umeboshi, shiso-flavored varieties, plum paste, plum juice, and other plum-based products. With such a wide selection, the shop is an excellent place to find souvenirs to take home.
There are also plum-flavored sweets and soft-serve ice cream, providing visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the unique taste of ume in a more modern form.
A Free Educational Attraction
One of the most attractive features of the Ume Promotion Center is that admission is free. This makes it an easy and convenient place to visit while traveling around Minabe.
The facility is suitable not only for tourists but also for families and anyone interested in learning about local history and agriculture. Rest areas and a tourist information section are also available, making the center a useful starting point for exploring the surrounding area.
Nearby Attractions
Nanko Plum Grove
Nanko Plum Grove is one of Japan’s largest plum groves. The blossoms usually reach their peak from late January through early March, when the hills are covered with thousands of white flowers and filled with the pleasant fragrance of ume.
The spectacular scenery attracts many visitors every year and is one of the best ways to experience Minabe’s identity as the “Home of Japanese Plums.”
Kishu Umeboshi Museum
The Kishu Umeboshi Museum is a popular facility where visitors can learn about umeboshi production and, depending on the available programs, experience aspects of the traditional production process. It is a good destination for travelers who want to learn more about the region’s famous plum products.
Minabe Oji
Minabe Oji is a historic site associated with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. It is an interesting destination for travelers interested in Japanese history, traditional pilgrimage culture, and walking along historic routes.
Tsurunoyu Onsen
Tsurunoyu Onsen is a local hot spring destination where visitors can relax after sightseeing. Combining a visit to the hot spring with a tour of Minabe’s plum-growing areas is a pleasant way to experience the region at a slower pace.
How to Get There
By Car
From the Minabe Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway, turn right after leaving the interchange and follow National Route 424 toward Ryujin. The Ume Promotion Center is approximately five minutes away by car, making it a convenient stop for travelers driving through the area.
By Public Transportation
From JR Minabe Station on the Kisei Main Line, take a local bus and get off at the Shimotaniguchi bus stop. Alternatively, the center can be reached on foot from Minabe Station in approximately 30 minutes.
A Great Starting Point for Exploring Minabe
The Ume Promotion Center is much more than an ordinary roadside station. It is a place where visitors can discover the nature, history, culture, agriculture, and traditional industries of Minabe in one location.
From the famous Nanko-ume and traditional umeboshi to ancient archaeological discoveries and the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, the center provides a fascinating introduction to the many layers of Minabe’s identity.
While the plum blossom season is a particularly beautiful time to visit the region, the Ume Promotion Center can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you are stopping during a road trip, searching for local souvenirs, or simply curious about Japanese plum culture, this is a worthwhile destination to include in a Wakayama itinerary.