Fruit varieties

Gyokuei

A variety discovered from a seedling of a cultivated species in Ome City, and is the first registered ume variety. It has thick flesh and can be harvested slightly earlier than Shirakaga.

Best for
Season: Slightly earlier than Shirakaga
Main regions: Ome City, Tokyo (Place of discovery)

Characteristics

This variety was discovered from a seedling of a cultivated species by Mr. Nomoto in Ome City, Tokyo, and is considered to be the first registered ume variety. It has thick flesh and can be harvested slightly earlier than Shirakaga. It is also listed in Odawara City's introduction of ume varieties.

See this year’s fresh ume prices →

Last updated: 2026.10.05

Explore more

Plum Blossom Map → Famous plum gardens across Japan with bloom status and best season.
Plum Festivals → Dates of plum festivals across Japan on a calendar and a map.
Bloom Calendar → When each garden is usually at its best, at a glance.
Specialties → Ume treats and souvenirs around famous plum spots.
Ume Shops & Restaurants → Ume dishes, umeboshi shops and umeshu workshops you can visit in Japan.
Ume Recipes → Umeboshi and ume vinegar in everyday cooking, including easy Western-style ideas.
Ume News → News and columns about ume, with sources.
Ume & Health → Citric acid, polyphenols and what research says so far, explained simply.
Ume Prices → Wholesale and retail prices of green ume, charted.
For Ume Growers → Harvest statistics, pests, new varieties and research, from public sources.
Ume Products → Umeboshi, umeshu, plum extract and souvenirs, most reviewed first.