As winter fades and the first signs of spring begin to appear, the Tagami Plum Blossom Festival offers a fragrant celebration of the season in Tagami Town. Held each year from mid-March to early April, the event invites visitors to experience the beauty and flavors of one of the prefecture's leading plum-producing areas.
Home to around 2,000 plum trees, Tagami Town is known for its rich plum harvests. During the festival, the grounds of Umebayashi Park and nearby orchards come alive with blooming white, red, and weeping plum blossoms, as well as the locally renowned "Koshi no Ume." The colorful display and delicate fragrance make the area a favorite spot for a leisurely spring stroll.
Festival activities extend beyond flower viewing. At Yasashii Michi-no-Eki Tagami, visitors can explore the special "Tagami Plum Department Store," featuring a variety of plum-themed treats and products. Highlights include craft plum wine from around Japan, tasting comparisons of regional umeboshi (pickled plums), and a selection of plum-inspired goods and local specialties.
The festival traditionally opens with a lively ceremony celebrating the arrival of spring, complete with a sake barrel-breaking and complimentary servings of plum wine. Guests may also be able to sample limited-edition ume manju (plum buns) created in collaboration with a local confectionery shop.
Those wishing to explore further can also stop by nearby Yudagami Onsen, where several inns prepare their own homemade plum wine.
