Happy New Year. Warm New Year greetings from Tsukigase Plum Valley. Tsukigase Plum Valley lets you take in at a glance the plum blossoms and the gorge, with the plum seen as the harbinger of spring. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty in 2020 and now marking 100 years, the Tsukigase Tourism Association, together with local residents, works to preserve this wonderful plum gorge so everyone can enjoy it. The “Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival,” starting on February 9, opens with the 40th Tsukigase Plum Valley Early Spring Marathon on its first day and runs through a variety of events up to the Spring Banquet on March 23, with preparations underway to welcome everyone. We ask that you visit Tsukigase Plum Valley, which we have spent a year preparing, and offer this as our New Year greeting. Noriaki Ida, President, Tsukigase Tourism Association

Baikoan Located in Tsukigase, Nara, Baikoan is Japan’s sole maker of karoubai (processed plum) that has preserved a production method passed down there for about seven hundred years without alteration. Karoubai refers to processed ume fruit, introduced to Nara as a medicine some 1,300 years ago by envoys to Sui and Tang China. Around seven hundred years ago, during the Nanbokucho period, it reached Tsukigase as a mordant for safflower dyeing. From the late Edo period through the early Meiji era, karoubai reached its heyday as a mordant for cosmetic red dye, and some 400 karoubai workshops operated, but demand plunged after the invention of chemical dyes. By the early Showa era only a few producers remained; after the war Baikoan became the sole manufacturer and continues to this day. Baikoan cultivates plums, rice, and vegetables and processes food across 30,000 square meters of verdant land and rich nature. Although the plums in Tsukigase were originally planted to make karoubai, the sight of plum trees in full bloom reflected on the valley and river of the Satsukigawa captivated people and made this area Japan’s first officially designated scenic spot. During the plum festival from February through the end of March, our shop offers dining and hanami from scenic box seats filled with the scent of plum. In Reiwa 6 (2024) we built the Nara Beni Workshop. This Japanese-style building incorporates traditional Japanese craftsmanship throughout. Inside the workshop, where you can feel delicate, advanced techniques and Japanese aesthetics, visitors can experience safflower dyeing using karoubai. We hope the experience becomes an opportunity to rediscover the wonders of Japanese culture. Watching the ever-changing colors of nature and the early-morning sea of clouds spreading across the Tsukigase valley can create the illusion of being in a plum paradise. Early spring light, tranquil fresh greens, the bounty of autumn, the scents of winter. We live and work with the seasons in the strict yet warm nature of Tsukigase.

~At Miharasou a special time flows~ Iga's finest ryotei A building that Mr. Chubei Soga of "Tomotada" carefully crafted with refined taste was relocated almost intact to this scenic spot in 1970 that structure is today's "Miharaso Annex" Away from everyday life inside this charming building time moves slowly slowly flows by Perched at the top of the valley, this annex offers a panorama that stretches as far as the eye can see "Scenic and picturesque" Within this annex you can enjoy a miso broth that brings out the ingredients' full flavor with shiitake mushrooms and vegetables from Tsukigase and boar meat chosen with the owner's exacting standards The specialty: botan nabe (wild boar hot pot) It has absolutely no unpleasant odor and is beloved by people of all ages a hugely popular delicacy We hope you will experience even once the blissful time woven by this building, the view, and the food Miharaso 78-2 Tsukigase Oyamacho, Nara City

Reiwa 6 Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival Photo Contest Gold Prize Nobuko Nakamura "Tsukigase Wanpo" This will be the poster for next year’s Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival! Thank you for many entries this year! We look forward to many visitors and many entries next year. All members of the Tsukigase Tourism Association await you!!

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video! We are the Tsukigase Tourism Association. We will be sharing plenty of highlights of Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, so we hope you enjoy it! ◆◆◆ What and where Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture is Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, sits at the easternmost edge of Nara Prefecture. It borders Minamiyamashiromura in Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Iga City in Mie Prefecture to the east, and Yamazoemura in Yamabe District to the south. With a population of about 1,200 as of April 2024, Tsukigase has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. It is one of Japan’s premier plum blossom spots, and many visitors come when the plums are in full bloom. ◆◆◆ Access to Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture ・Bus About 80 minutes from JR Nara Station to Tsukigase Bairin (Tsukigase Plum Grove). ・Car About 50 minutes to Tsukigase Bairin from the Nara direction. About 100 minutes to Tsukigase Bairin from the Kyoto direction. ◆◆◆ History of Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture Tsukigase has long been known as a renowned plum site. In 1205, plum trees were planted on the grounds of Shimpukuji Temple in Oyama, and later in 1331 a court lady is said to have popularized a smoked plum called ubai, spreading its production in Tsukigase and leading to many plum plantings. The beautiful rows of plum trees in Tsukigase were designated as Japan’s first scenic spot in 1922. ◆◆◆ Popular sightseeing spots in Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture ◇ Tsukigase Plum Valley (Tsukigase Bairin) About 10,000 plum trees line the Satsuki River gorge, painting the area in red and white. The plum blossoms reach full bloom from February through March each year, offering a spectacular sight. Walking trails are maintained along the valley, and about 200,000 visitors enjoy the blossoms annually. ◇ Lake Tsukigase Lake Tsukigase is an artificial lake formed by Takayama Dam, offering beautiful scenery through the seasons. Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in summer, autumn colors in fall, and snowy winter landscapes make it worth visiting year-round. Hiking courses surround the lake, making it ideal for hiking and cycling. ◇ Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen Ume no Sato Tsukigase Onsen is a hot spring facility set amid Tsukigase’s beautiful nature. From the onsen you can enjoy seasonal views, and the sight of plum trees in bloom in spring recalls its designation as Japan’s first scenic spot. From the open-air observatory baths you can take in a panoramic view of the Iga Basin for a truly indulgent moment. At the restaurant Ume Kokoro you can savor dishes made with local ingredients. ◇ Tsukigase Onsen Fureai Market The Fureai Market is a direct sales outlet offering fresh local produce and specialties. Yamato tea and umeboshi (pickled plums), Tsukigase’s specialties, are particularly popular. It’s a great place to look for Tsukigase souvenirs. ◇ Romantopia Tsukigase Romantopia Tsukigase is a comprehensive facility where you can fully enjoy Tsukigase’s nature. It offers camping and barbecue facilities, making it ideal for families and groups. You can also try experiences like tea picking and hand-rolling tea, making konnyaku and mochi pounding, making black tea, and participating in traditional craft workshops. ◇ Lakeside Village Tsukigase Lakeside Village Tsukigase is a tourism facility surrounded by majestic nature, hosting events throughout the year such as the plum festival, cherry blossom festival, new tea festival, autumn leaves festival, and giant pumpkin festival. The direct sales shop sells fresh local produce. The cafeteria’s daily special set meal, made with local vegetables and homemade care, is very popular. ◆◆◆ Events and festivals in Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture ◇ Tsukigase Plum Festival The Tsukigase Plum Festival, held at Tsukigase Plum Valley from February through March each year, draws many visitors. Various events take place at venues including the Tsukigase Plum Museum. Please enjoy the roughly 10,000 vivid red and white plum trees. ◆◆◆ Local specialties of Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture ◇ Yamato tea Tsukigase has long been known as a producing area for Yamato tea. Grown on the Yamato Plateau at about 400 meters elevation, Yamato tea is prized for its clean flavor and lovely aroma. ◇ Umeboshi (pickled plums) Tsukigase offers many plum-based products such as ume shiso rolls, plum chocolate, and plum syrup. Among them, Tsukigase’s umeboshi are celebrated for their rich flavor and health benefits and have been loved by many for generations. ◆◆◆ Tourism information for Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture Tsukigase in Nara City, Nara Prefecture is a region colored by beautiful nature and a rich history. Especially in spring, the spectacular sight of the plum blossoms in full bloom is one everyone should see. We will share more great deals and information about sightseeing in Tsukigase, Nara City, Nara Prefecture on Cool Japan Video, so please follow us! Photo credit: Yasunori Okamoto

A scene at Yuki Shrine in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Since many Umejiro visit the Yuki Shrine every year, many photographers were visit this year as well. I've had a relationship with Umejiro since last year, and I was able to take a picture of it again this year. It just so happened that I got a line of sight when I clicked the shutter, so it was my favorite one. It has become a piece that feels dignified from the cute Umejiro. ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ Shooting location: Yuki Shrine, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture Shooting date and time: February 24, 2024 10:00 ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

The city today The Ume Plum Ume Plum Shrine is in full bloom.

【Osaka Castle Ume Plum Park】 February 23, 2024 Flowering Information: Except for the weather, it is a cherry blossom viewing day Osaka Castle Umegorin Park 2/23/2024 Flowering information: Cherry blossom viewing day except for the weather

【大阪城 梅林公園】 昨日➡2024年2/22 開花情報：全ての品種が見頃 samuraihonor.com Osaka Castle Umegorin Park Yesterday ➡ 2/22/2024 Flowering information: All varieties are in full bloom.

Isehara Flower Report 2.19 A rainy day in Isehara. With the mild weather, flowers are starting to bloom all over. - Kawazu-zakura along Shibutagawa River…starting to bloom - Kawazu-zakura at Maruyama Castle Park…in full bloom - Plum trees at the Sports Park…in full bloom - Plum trees at Hinata Yakushi…about half bloomed - Okame-zakura along Oyama Shinmichi…buds The forecast doesn’t look great this week, so I worry whether the flowers will hold out until the next sunny day, but let’s hope we can take photos under a blue sky!

Kamakura Thirteen Buddhas Pilgrimage Executive Committee】 13th Edition (2024) Ume Kamakura Special Visits (Notice) From Wednesday, February 14, 2024 to Wednesday, March 27, 2024, special visits will be held at Kamakura’s temples and shrines: limited-entry visits by application, first-come first-served same-day registration visits (no application required), free visits (no application required), and guided Kamakura Thirteen Buddhas pilgrimage tours led by monks. Would you like to experience the unique charm of temples and shrines in early spring, with the scent of plum blossoms drifting through Kamakura? Temples and shrines marked [Application Required] may be visited only by those who applied (a participation certificate will be mailed). Please note that temples and shrines marked [Same-Day Registration] also have capacity limits. (Kaizo-ji’s special visit is a free visit and has no capacity limit.) * Applications for “special visits by application” are accepted by reply-paid postcard only. * The application deadline is eight days before each event date (the reply-paid postcard must reach the executive committee by that time). * Please refrain from contacting individual temples and shrines.

Yugawara Plum Grove “Ume no Utage” Festival!! Yugawara’s plum grove, considered the country’s finest and set against the majestic foot of Mt. Makuyama, a geosite, makes the most of the area’s beautiful natural setting. About 4,000 red and white plum trees bloom across Yugawara Plum Grove like a carpet of blossoms, filling the park with a faint plum fragrance. The sight of the landscape covered in red-and-white plums takes your breath away. [Event Period] Saturday, February 3 to Sunday, March 10, 2024 [Location] Makuyama Park [Admission] 200 yen (ages 15 and up; excluding junior high school students) ※Guests staying at town lodging facilities may be eligible for free admission. (Please check with your lodging facility.) ※Presenting a Yugawara Town resident card also grants free admission.

Odawara Flower Garden 2024 Gather, kimono lovers! Become a kimono-clad lady in a plum-blossom garden Easily transform with our kimono rental and dressing service. Families and friends are very welcome to join! Guests who arrive in kimono on the day will also enjoy special perks! Enjoy the region’s largest collection of plum varieties in Kanto and celebrate spring in splendid traditional Japanese attire.

Odawara Flower Garden 2024 Plum Festival ~About 300 varieties and 500 plum trees in full bloom~ The Keiryu Plum Garden is a vivid plum grove planted with about 300 varieties and 500 flowering plum trees, from early bloomers to late bloomers, boasting one of the largest selections of varieties in the Kanto region. This year’s theme is “The Shapes of Flowers — The Individual Charms Created by Petals.” We introduce the differences in flower shapes and blooming styles by variety. Please enjoy the delicate beauty of the plum blossoms. Focus on Red Plums in 2024! This year’s theme is “Red Plum — The Brilliant Flower Plum,” highlighting red-plum varieties. The difference between red plums and white plums is not the flower color but the color of the pith when the tree’s trunk is cut. This year we focus on this lesser-known way to tell them apart and on the characteristics of red plums. Enjoy the appeal of red plums through the quiz rally and informational panels installed throughout the plum garden.

Ikuta Ryokuchi Plum Blossoms (Notice) A few plum blossoms have opened; the usual peak viewing season runs from mid-February to early March. This year, plum blooming appears to be slightly delayed. Ikuta Ryokuchi has a plum grove, and visitors often come for a walk to enjoy the blossoms during the season. The approximately 2,500 m² grove features red and white plum varieties such as Michishirube and Fujibotan competing in beauty. [Ikuta Ryokuchi Plum Grove] Area: 2,500 m² Number of varieties: 25 (as of February 3, 2023) Number of trees: 86 Contact: 7-1-4 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 214-0032 Inquiries: Ikuta Ryokuchi East Entrance Visitor Center Phone: 044-933-2300

Kitano Tenmangu 𓂃𖤥𖥧𖥣⋆* 📷⸝⋆ SONY α7R V ILCE-7RM5 SONY FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2 2023.3.6 #Kyoto #Kitano Tenmangu Shrine #Yes, let's go to Kyoto #Spreading Alliance #Scenery #sonyalpha #sonyα7r5 #Sketch walk #I want to connect with people who like cameras #I want to connect with people who like to take pictures #Kansai Camera Club #Soft Photography Club #Pastel Photography #Kiritori Sekai #A view that can only be found here #kyotojapan #kitanotenmangu #plumblossom #bestjapanpics #artofjapan #japantravel #histrip_japan #japan_focus #retrip_gourmet #retrip_kyoto #naturephotography #landscapephotography 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Kitano Tenmangu 𓂃𖤥𖥧𖥣⋆* 📷⸝⋆ SONY α7R V ILCE-7RM5 SONY FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2 2023.3.6 #Kyoto #Kitano Tenmangu Shrine #Yes, let's go to Kyoto #Spreading Alliance #Scenery #sonyalpha #sonyα7r5 #Sketch walk #I want to connect with people who like cameras #I want to connect with people who like to take pictures #Kansai Camera Club #Soft Photography Club #Pastel Photography #Kiritori Sekai #A view that can only be found here #kyotojapan #kitanotenmangu #plumblossom #bestjapanpics #artofjapan #japantravel #histrip_japan #japan_focus #retrip_gourmet #retrip_kyoto #naturephotography #landscapephotography 𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

The weeping plum blossoms are in full bloom, one of the most famous plum blossom spots in Japan. Speaking of Nagoya City Agricultural Center in spring, it is also famous as a famous place for plum blossoms. The young grass, powerful plum branches, and red and white weeping plum blossoms were adorable, and I couldn't help but stop. Spring was still shallow, and the whole area was filled with an enchanting plum scent.

Kanzaki Plum Garden in Higashi-ku, Okayama City is located on a hill called Yurakuyama in Kanzaki Town, and together with the adjacent Kanzaki Ryokuchi, there are about 500 plum trees of more than 20 types, and you can enjoy red plum, white plum, and weeping plums.

This is a plum garden taken early in the morning in Nara Prefecture. Hikari inserted and it was very cold, but it was a beautiful place.

At the beginning of spring, the plum blossoms in the Suzuka forest are a masterpiece. This year, I took a picture of the end of the year when the flowers began to fall.

This is also the Koto plum forest. There were many varieties. It's hard to take pictures of plums... If it's cherry blossoms, they're blooming, so it's deceptive. laughs

The plum garden of Shishimagahara, which is related to Sugawara Michishin, is very beautiful. I really like the dark pink flowers 🌸.

The plums with drooping branches are very beautiful. Kokokubun Shrine in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture is in full swing 🌸🌸 of spring Still, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with dogs. It's more dumplings 🍡 than flowers.

Koto Bailin, this is a photo I took a while ago. I went to this famous plum spot for the first time this year, but apparently there was no time for full bloom this year. I went there three times, but no matter when I went, I thought, "When is the best time to see it?" Looking forward to next year.

I happened to encounter a mejiro in the plum grove of Osaka Castle. I 💮 felt spring

At Koto Plum Grove in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is a famous place for plum groves and plum gardens in the local area, but there is news that this year it will end without reaching full bloom.

Drooping plum blossoms that were blooming in the plum garden. The scenery I saw when the evening light overlapped was peaceful.

View of spring from Mt. Ayabe #Spring #Seto Inland Sea #Rape blossoms #Plum

Tears spilled over my eyes at the beauty of the plum blossoms. Location: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park Osaka