Pickled Plums (Umeboshi)
The renowned “Nanko Ume,” a specialty of Wakayama Prefecture

About Pickled Plums (Umeboshi)

Pickled Plums (梅干, Umeboshi) are one of Wakayama Prefecture’s most famed local specialties. Wakayama leads Japan in both the cultivation area (5,620 hectares as of 2009) and shipment volume (68,800 tons as of 2009) for plums, with Minabe Town and Tanabe City being primary production areas.

Wakayama’s plums are shipped as fresh green plums (ao ume) or processed into salted pickled plums. The “Nanko Ume” variety is the most prominent, recognized as a high-quality dual-purpose plum ideal for both fresh and processed use. This premium variety, developed in Minabe Town, Wakayama, is loved for its tender skin and thick, flavorful flesh, making it the gold standard for pickled plums.

Another notable variety, “Gojiro,” is harvested starting in early June. With its small seed and juicy flesh, it’s particularly suited for making plum juice or plum liqueur.

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