Thursday 25 February 2021

Plum Blossoms Herald the Arrival of Spring Tottori Prefecture in Japan

1. Plum Blossoms Herald the Arrival of Spring

Set against Lake Togo and the Sea of Japan in the town of Yurihama, San’in’s most scenic Japanese plum grove fills with the glory of early spring blossoms. 

Today, 2,000 Nokyo trees, a cultivar of Japanese plum tree named after and only found in this region, decorate the grove. 

Whereas Japanese plum blossoms are generally dark pink and white, Nokyo blossoms are characterized by a beautiful light pink color such that they resemble cherry blossoms. 

These pink blossoms stretch out over slopes to create picturesque scenery, but only until the end of March. 

■Admire the Sight and Enjoy the Taste 

The large fruit of Nokyo trees grows up to 6 cm in size and has tightly packed pulp. 

At the Umetsu Shuzou brewery in the neighboring town of Hokuei, these plums are soaked and fermented in an exclusively brewed Japanese rice wine for over two years to make umeshu. 

The umami of Japanese sake rice envelops the acidity of the plums in a mellow yet full-bodied flavor. Full of organic acid and vitamins, this beverage has earned our highest recommendation. 

Available in 180 ml or 500 ml bottles for ¥750 and ¥1,500 respectively. https://umetsu-sake.jp/umesake_e.html 

2. A Model Culture in the Manga Kingdom 

A manga culture thrives in Tottori, the birthplace of renowned manga artists. 

Moreover, this culture extends to model figure manufacturers in the prefecture. 

In the centrally located city of Kurayoshi, a museum of model figures exemplifies this regional characteristic. 

Make a visit to this extraordinary museum and you will not only find plenty of model figure exhibitions organized by genre, but also learn about their manufacturing process and even have the opportunity to make your very own in a model making workshop! 

Centered on the Kurayoshi Figure Museum, efforts to make model figures an enjoyable feature throughout the entire city began last year. 

One of these efforts, an exhibition of Japanese Buddhist model figures at a city hospital, is attracting attention.

These intricate and powerful models provide a new opportunity to encounter history and culture. Watch the linked video to get a glimpse of the various model figures on display.

3. Everyday Taste of Tottori’s Special Strawberry 

Originally, strawberries came into season during spring; now, with the increasing amount of cultivation in plastic greenhouses, strawberries can even be enjoyed in winter. 

Totteoki, Tottori’s original cultivar, comes on the market in February. A manga culture thrives in Tottori, the birthplace of renowned manga artists. 

Only produced in Tottori, the appeal of this rare cultivar comes from a harmonious balance of rich sweetness with just the right amount of acidity to achieve a truly unforgettable flavor. Further, the berries are plump and surprisingly filling. 

Totteoki strawberries can be purchased at farms and supermarkets in the prefecture. 

■Check the Sites Below for the Latest Information from Tottori Prefecture 
FB (Visit Tottori, Japan) : https://www.facebook.com/tottoritouren/ 

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