Minabe Bairin, Plum grove in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Minabe Bairin is a plum grove in Wakayama Prefecture containing approximately 80,000 trees densely planted across a small mountain slope. The trees create a solid covering of white and soft pink blossoms when they flower together during the winter season.
The grove developed over time into a major agricultural region in Japan, establishing Minabe as one of the country's principal plum producers. The cultivation methods were refined through generations and continue to shape the area's economy.
The white and pink plum blossoms hold meaning in Japanese seasonal culture as an early herald of spring before the more famous cherry blooms arrive.
The best time to visit is late winter when the trees are at peak bloom. Local bus services operate during the flowering season to help visitors access the grove from nearby towns.
The region is known for producing pickled plums from the Nanko-Ume variety, a type that grows only in this location. Many visitors focus on the flowers and overlook the local specialty food that comes from this exclusive harvest.
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