Choya Umeshu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Habikino City, Osaka; President: Shigehiro Kondo; hereinafter 'Choya') began pickling Nanko Ume plums from Kishu, Wakayama Prefecture, at its Osaka Kawamukai Plant on June 1, 2026.

This year, in the main plum-growing regions of Wakayama Prefecture, the number of fruit sets was low due to a warm winter and low rainfall up to the flowering period. Additionally, hailstorms occurred in some areas in late March and early May, leading to a trend of poor harvest again this year. From mid-May onward, growth accelerated due to high temperatures, leading to predictions of earlier-than-planned arrivals. However, subsequent rainfall meant that Choya's pickling process began almost as usual. Expecting future rainfall and plum growth, the company will carry out pickling for about one month, peaking around one week after the start of the rainy season (June 11 this year), which is also 'Umeshu Day (*).'

While there are many varieties of domestic plums, Choya uses only domestically grown plums, primarily Kishu Nanko Ume, which is suitable for 'umeshu' (plum wine), along with a few other varieties such as Kojo Ume and Shirakaga Ume. In particular, Kishu Nanko Ume from Wakayama Prefecture is characterized by its thick flesh and high acidity. This Kishu Nanko Ume accounts for about 80% of the plums used by Choya.

The plums harvested by producers arrive through agricultural cooperatives (JA). After washing, they are pickled in aging tanks with a maximum capacity of 100,000 liters. There are a total of 446 specially ordered aging tanks, designed to minimize external influences such as 'light,' 'heat,' and 'air,' located at the Iga Ueno Plant, Kishu Plant, and Osaka Kawamukai Plant. The plums are managed according to their origin, variety, and ripeness, and are carefully aged for approximately one year or more.

*'Umeshu Day'

Choya Umeshu established the first day of the rainy season (June 10 or 11) each year as 'Umeshu Day' (certified by the Japan Anniversary Association). This is because the harvest of green plums, the raw material for umeshu, peaks during the rainy season in June, and the company hopes people will drink umeshu to get through the summer energetically.

Umeshu Day: https://www.choya.co.jp/philosophy/honkaku/#umesyu_day

With the slogan 'Deliver the Power of the Plum,' Choya pursues new possibilities of the plum and delivers the wonderful qualities of the plum to people around the world, aiming to help them lead healthy and enjoyable daily lives.

Company Overview

Name: Choya Umeshu Co., Ltd.

Established: June 1962

Capital: 28 million yen

Representative: President Shigehiro Kondo

Business: Manufacturing and sales of umeshu and plum-related products

Location: 160-1 Komagatani, Habikino City, Osaka Prefecture 583-0841

Main Sales Channels: Nationwide liquor wholesalers, countries in Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and other foreign countries

Website: https://www.choya.jp

Contact Information

Choya Umeshu Co., Ltd.

TEL: 072-956-0515 (Main)

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News