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To Ume Groves with Ocean Views: Ayabeyama Ume Grove and World Plum Park (Tatsuno, Hyogo)
Ayabeyama Ume Grove spans 24 hectares overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, right next to World Plum Park, which boasts over 300 varieties and around 1,200 trees. Here is a one-day route to explore these two neighboring famous ume spots.
In Mitsu-cho, Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture, two famous ume spots sit right next to each other: Ayabeyama Ume Grove, which overlooks the Seto Inland Sea, and World Plum Park (Mitsu Nature Observation Park), which brings together plum varieties from around the world. Admission fees, hours, and access details are based on official website information (checked in October 2026). As these details may vary by year, please check the official sites before setting out.
Ayabeyama Ume Grove: An Ume Grove with Ocean Views
- Ayabeyama Ume Grove: Ume trees stretch across a 24-hectare hillside, offering views of the Seto Inland Sea's Ieshima Islands, Shodoshima, Awaji Island, and more. Ancient burial mounds (kofun) are also scattered throughout the park.
- According to official information, the blossoms typically reach half bloom in mid-February and full bloom from late February to early March.
- Admission: ¥500 for adults, ¥400 for children. Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Parking: ¥500 for standard vehicles.
- Access: 30 minutes by bus from in front of JR Aboshi Station, or 10 minutes from Sanyo Electric Railway Aboshi Station (temporary buses run during peak season).
World Plum Park: Over 300 Varieties of Ume
- World Plum Park: Over 300 varieties and around 1,200 ume trees gathered from around the world are planted here, offering sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea from the hilltop.
- Admission: ¥400 for high school students and older, ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students (free outside the ume viewing season). Hours: 9:00–16:30. Parking: ¥500 for standard vehicles.
Sample Itinerary
Hyogo Prefecture's official tourism website highlights these two famous ume spots as being adjacent to each other. A great way to visit is to walk through Ayabeyama Ume Grove in the morning to enjoy the ocean view of the Seto Inland Sea, and then spend the afternoon comparing different varieties at World Plum Park. Ayabeyama Ume Grove is extensive and gets steeper toward the hilltop, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. You can check the current blossom status on the Bloom Report. Nearby accommodations for each spot are also introduced on this page.
