The plum viewing season at Ayabeyama Plum Grove in Mitsu, Tatsuno City. In 2026 it ran from Saturday, February 21 to Sunday, March 22, from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30).
Red and white ume bloom over about 24 hectares of hills, and it is said to be western Japan's finest "plum grove with a sea view", looking out over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Many ancient burial mounds remain in the grounds. Usually the trees are half in bloom in mid-February and in full bloom from late February to early March.
In 2026 there were a landscape photo contest during the season, a sketching contest (February 28 and March 1, for junior high school students and younger), monkey performances on weekends and holidays, a koto concert (February 23), mochi-pounding (February 28 and March 7), Mitsu Ume Daiko drumming (March 1) and a plum-stone-spitting contest (March 8).
Admission is 500 yen for adults and 400 yen for children; parking is 500 yen for cars and 1,500 yen for coaches. It is about 10 minutes by bus from Aboshi Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway, or about 30 minutes from JR Aboshi Station, and extra buses run during the season. Enquiries: 079-322-3551.
Dates are based on the organizers' announcements and may change with the weather or the bloom. Please check the official information before you go.
