Journeys in Japan — Season 1, Episode 17: Minabe, Wakayama: Town of Forests and Orchards

Episode synopsis

On this edition of journeys in japan, JJ visits Minabe, Wakayama Pref., whose products are an essential part of Japanese food culture. Minabe produces more ume fruit than anywhere else in Japan - 30,000 tons every year. The type of ume grown in the area is called Nanko-ume. They are particularly large and flavorful, and are considered the highest quality in Japan. Most of the fruit harvested is pickled to make umeboshi, one of Japan's most distinctive foods. (Excerpt)

About Journeys in Japan

Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Fukuoka City, Fukuoka: Rediscovering Asia in Fukuoka
• E2Toyama City, Toyama
• E3Furano, Hokkaido: Traversing Snowy Furano by Dog Sled
• E4Naoshima, Kagawa: Island of Art
• E5Kamakura, Kanagawa: Discovering Japan's Samurai Spirit
• E6Tsukuba, Ibaraki: A City with State-of-the-Art Technology
• E7Oshino Village, Yamanashi: Living Close to Mt. Fuji
• E8Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori: Land of Majestic Dunes
• E9Northern Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka: Suruga Bay's Bountiful Nature
• E10Toyokawa, Aichi
• E11Himeji, Hyogo
• E12Naruto, Tokushima