PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

[Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa] To Minabe-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan's largest plum village. Started offering a guided tour of Umehata guided by plum farmers and a tasting experience of 4 original brand plum wine

On a journey to touch the story of plum making in a land of world agricultural heritage

Yohei Arimoto, owner of Arimoto Farm, Minabe-cho, Wakayama Prefecture

From January 22 (Thursday) to January 31 (Sat) and February 19 (Thursday) to March 7 (Sat), 2026, Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa (Location: Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama Prefecture / General Manager: Kazunori Tanaka) will offer a program to experience the charm of Minabe-cho, known as Japan's best plum production area. In this plan, you can visit Arimoto Farm, which runs a plum farmer in Minabe-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, stroll through the plum field, visit the plum wine factory, and compare the four types of original plum wine "Plumity" under the guidance of plum farmers. In addition, we offer souvenirs related to plums so that you can enjoy the lingering of your trip at home. It is a content that allows you to fully enjoy the charm of plums by touching the unique commitment of plum farmers that consistently performs everything from plum cultivation and processing to product sales.

Project background of this plan

Brand plum "Minamikoume" is the place where Minabe-cho was born

 

Wakayama Prefecture has the highest yield of plums in Japan, accounting for 29,700 tons, about 60% of the nationwide yield (51,600 tons). (*1) Among them, Minabe-cho, where our hotel is located, is the most prosperous area of plum production in the prefecture, and is the birthplace of the brand plum "Nankoume" known nationwide. In 2015, the Minabe Tanabe Plum System (*2), which has been handed down for many years, was recognized as a World Agricultural Heritage Site. In such a world-class plum production area, we would like to deliver it as a journey to experience the production site, not just sightseeing. Plum farmers will actually guide you and touch the scent of the field, the careful process of processing work, and the back of making plum wine, so you can deeply feel the charm of the area, including plums, which are local specialties, and the activities of people. I can.

＊1 Reference Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Statistics Survey 2024 https://www.maff.go.jp/j/tokei/kouhyou/sakumotu/sakkyou_kazyu/pdf/syukaku_biwa_24.pdf
＊2 Agricultural system that has been continuously producing high-quality plums for 400 years by arranging Bairin while leaving firewood forests using slopes with poor nutrients and gravel and crumbling easily.

 

1． Learn about the commitment of plum making by visiting plum fields and factory tours with plum farmers

Wakayama Prefecture has the highest yield of plums in Japan, accounting for 29,700 tons, about 60% of the nationwide yield (51,600 tons). (*1) Among them, Minabe-cho, where our hotel is located, is the most prosperous area of plum production in the prefecture, and is the birthplace of the brand plum "Nankoume" known nationwide. In 2015, the Minabe Tanabe Plum System (*2), which has been handed down for many years, was recognized as a World Agricultural Heritage Site. In such a world-class plum production area, we would like to deliver it as a journey to experience the production site, not just sightseeing. Plum farmers will actually guide you and touch the scent of the field, the careful process of processing work, and the back of making plum wine, so you can deeply feel the charm of the area, including plums, which are local specialties, and the activities of people. I can.

＊1 Reference Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Statistics Survey 2024 https://www.maff.go.jp/j/tokei/kouhyou/sakumotu/sakkyou_kazyu/pdf/syukaku_biwa_24.pdf
＊2 Agricultural system that has been continuously producing high-quality plums for 400 years by arranging Bairin while leaving firewood forests using slopes with poor nutrients and gravel and crumbling easily.

1． Learn about the commitment of plum making by visiting plum fields and factory tours with plum farmers

After actually observing the plum garden and the process of making plum wine, at the end of the program, you can try four kinds of original plum wine brand "Plumity" produced by Arimoto Farm. "Plumity Black" with rich aroma and taste of fruits using ripe Minami Koume from Minabe, "Plumity White" prepared based on Ginjo sake, "Plumity Green" using rare varieties, "Plumity Pink" made with new varieties of plums You can enjoy the changes in the aroma and aftering due to differences in varieties and prepared liquors, such as "Plumity Pink" made with new varieties. The plum used for plum wine is selected for fragrant fruits, which are only 5 to 8% of the total yield, and is carefully selected. While feeling the commitment of the creator, you can enjoy the taste that makes use of the original flavor and individuality of plums that can be understood by comparing and drinking.

For those who do not eat alcohol, we prepare three kinds of plum syrup using the same plum as making plum wine. You can enjoy the difference between gentle sweetness and refreshing acidity depending on the variety and finish.

【Introduction of 4 types of plum wine plumity】

・Mature "Minamitaka" plum wine Plumity Black

Plum sake that allows you to feel the full aroma of plum fruits, made by carefully pickled large ripe Minamiko plums with a white liquor without clutter and unsuccessful ice sugar. The scent spreads at the moment when poured into the glass, and if you include a bite, you can enjoy the rich fruit feeling as if you were siping the plum as it is, and the rich taste with a long lingering finish.

・Ginjoshu brewing 'Minamitaka' plum wine Plumity White

Uses ginjoshu from Takagaki Sake Brewery in Aritagawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture. It is characterized by a refreshing and fruity taste that makes you want to enjoy with a wine glass, which harmonizes the aroma of Ginjo with the sourness and fruitfulness of Minamikoume.

・Ginjo Sake preparation "Suiko" Umeshu Plumity Green

Uses a rare variety "Suiko" with low production volume. It is characterized by a refreshing scent like pear that is easy to drink. In order to make use of the unique aroma of the variety, you can enjoy strong aroma and tropical gentle flavor by making it in a short period of time.

・Ginjo Sake preparation "Ryukane" plum wine Plumity Pink

A new variety called "Tsuyu Akane", a plum wine made with plums mixed with plums, which are characterized by vivid ruby colors from skin to pulp, pickled in Ginjoshu. By blending with Minamikoume, the aroma of Ginjoshu, the flavor of plums, and the sourness of sweet potatoes unique to Rokane are finished in a well-balanced taste.

3. The charm of plums that you can enjoy during your stay and even after returning home

We offer gifts related to plums so that you can immerse yourself in the aftermath of your trip even after returning to your home. The content will be fun after picking it up on the day.
In addition, when you stay at the hotel, you can enjoy an all-inclusive stay where you can enjoy plum wine served in lounges and restaurants, and a buffet menu using plums. It is not only an experience on the farm, but also a journey where you can fully enjoy "ume" during your stay.

Plan Overview

・Period of accommodation: January 22 (Thursday) - January 31 (Sat), February 19 (Thursday) - March 7 (Sat), 2026
・Price: From 20,955 yen per person (superior twin ocean view when 2 people use)
・What is included: Arimoto Farm "Guided Tour"、Plumity 4 kinds of plum wine、Souvenir、2 days 1 night、Dinner buffet、Breakfast buffet、Lounge、Onsen
※For those who do not eat plum wine, we offer 3 kinds of plum syrup.
・Time required (tour): About 2 hours from 10:00 to 12:00
・How to make a reservation: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/ume-guided-tour/
・Remarks: ・In the case of bad weather, the program may be canceled. (In case of light rain, it will be done)
If the program is canceled due to the weather, we will give you plum wine from Arimoto Farm.
If the program is canceled due to weather, there will be no cancellation fee.
・There is no transfer between the hotel and Arimoto Farm.

About “Arimoto Farm (Ume Domaine ARIMOTO)”

Arimoto Farm (Ume Domaine ARIMOTO), which has been producing plums for three generations in Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture, has consistently engaged in everything from seedling cultivation to soil creation, cultivation, harvesting, and preparation of plum wine. The third generation, Yohei Arimoto, studied at the Fruit Tree Research Institute and succeeded the farm in 2010 after working as an assistant at the local Ume Research Institute. Pursuing the production of plum wine that can only be realized by a plum farmer, we started producing plum wine in 2013. Focusing on the timing and ripeness of harvest, we have developed a small amount of plum wine brand "Plumity" that takes advantage of the individuality of each variety. We are trying to cultivate multiple plum varieties and pursuing the optimal method of pickling plum wine from hundreds of tests, creating a plum wine experience that can only be tasted at Arimoto Farm.
https://plumity.com/

■Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa

Location: 348 Omotsumari, Oaza Yamauchi character Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama 645-0012, Japan
TEL： 03-6627-4732 (Reservation Center)
Access: About 10 minutes by car from JR Minabe Station, about 10 minutes by car from Minabe IC
Official Website: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/

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