Ume-ru-cam to Minabe Town: "A Little Detour to Minabe Town" Campaign Decided

June 26, 2023

Hidaka District, Minabe Town, Wakayama Prefecture NEXCO WEST

Minabe Town, Hidaka District, Wakayama Prefecture (Mayor: Shuhei Yamamoto) and NEXCO WEST Kansai Branch (Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, Branch Manager: Masakazu Morotomi) will hold a campaign from July to December this year, which has been held annually since 2023, allowing customers using expressways to enjoy special offers on premium varieties of plums such as "Nanko Ume."

From July to December, a "Tabiccha" lottery-style ticket vending machine, which dispenses travel coupons, will be permanently installed and sold at Kishiwada Service Area (SA) (downbound) on the E26 Hanwa Expressway (E26 Hanwa Road). In October, we will hold the PR event "Nanko Umeboshi Taste Comparison," where you can sample Minabe Town's highly popular "Nanko Umeboshi." Additionally, in October, we will hold the "Special Coupon for ETC Users" event. Coupons will be distributed at the Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan.

Furthermore, at the end of the year, following last year's success, a special event will feature a "Pop-up Umeboshi Shop" at Takarazuka Kita SA on the E1A Shin-Meishin Expressway (E1A Shin-Meishin)! Why not give the finest umeboshi as a souvenir to your grandparents?

NEXCO WEST aims to make car travel more enjoyable with fun-filled projects and contribute to promoting regional attractions.

1. Project Overview

Campaign Name: Ume-ru-cam to Minabe Town: "A Little Detour to Minabe Town" Campaign

Campaign Details

[Event 1] Minabe Tabiccha Dates: July 4, 2025 (Sat) 9:00 to December 20, 2025 (Sun) Location: E26 Hanwa Road, Kishiwada SA (downbound)

[Event 2] Nanko Umeboshi Taste Comparison Dates: October 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), 17 (Sat), 24 (Sat), 2025 Location: E26 Hanwa Road, Kishiwada SA (downbound)

[Event 3] Special Coupon for ETC Users Dates: October 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), 17 (Sat), 24 (Sat), 2025 Location: Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan (Coupon distribution location)

Special Event Details

[Special Event] Pop-up Umeboshi Shop (Distribution of individually packaged Nanko Umeboshi, sale of Nanko Umeboshi, etc.) Dates: December 26, 2025 (Sat) Location: E1A Shin-Meishin Expressway, Takarazuka Kita SA

2. Project Details

[Event 1] Minabe Tabiccha

What is "Tabiccha"?

Tabiccha is a "lottery-style ticket vending machine" that dispenses valuable travel tickets, designed to create a sense of spontaneity and experience during car travel.

Insert money into the small ticket vending machine, turn the handle, and purchase a capsule. The capsule contains tickets worth more than the purchase price. The value of the ticket you win depends on your luck!

Overview: "Tabiccha Capsules" will be sold at a small ticket vending machine installed at Kishiwada SA (downbound) on the E26 Hanwa Road (500 yen per attempt). The Tabiccha Capsules contain "Ume-ru-cam to Minabe Town Coupons" that can be used for dining at restaurants or purchasing souvenirs in Minabe Town (no losing tickets).

* 1st Prize: 3,000 yen worth * 2nd Prize: 2,000 yen worth * 3rd Prize (Last Prize): 1,000 yen worth * Total 3,000 tickets * Coupon expiration date: February 28, 2026 (Sun). * Available stores for coupon use are listed on the special website (https://www.w-nexco.co.jp/drive_porter/driverally/minabe.html). * Includes a special discount coupon that can be used at Kishiwada SA (downbound) on the same day.

Sales Period: July 4, 2025 (Sat) 9:00 to December 20, 2025 (Sun) * Sales will end when Tabiccha Capsules run out.

Installation Location: E26 Hanwa Road, Kishiwada SA (downbound), in front of the restaurant

Notes: Sales of Tabiccha Capsules are limited to one per person per attempt.

[Event 2] Nanko Umeboshi Taste Comparison

Overview: A PR event will be held by staff from Minabe Town's Ume Division. At this event, you can sample 10 types of Nanko Umeboshi pickled in honey, tomato, mandarin orange, etc., to experience the appeal of Minabe Town's "Nanko Umeboshi," which boasts the highest production volume in Japan.

Event Dates: October 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), 17 (Sat), 24 (Sat), 2025

Time: 8:00 to 14:00 (same for each day) * Event ends when the distributed umeboshi run out.

Location: E26 Hanwa Road, Kishiwada SA (downbound), outdoor event space * May be canceled in case of bad weather.

Contents: Distribution of individually packaged Nanko Umeboshi Distribution of Minabe Town tourism brochures, etc.

[Event 3] Special Coupon for ETC Users

Overview: On the event dates for Event 2, customers who use the E42 Hanwa Expressway Minabe IC (exit) with ETC wireless driving will receive a "Ume-ru-cam to Minabe Town Coupon" (1,000 yen value) usable at Minabe Town souvenir shops and other establishments. This is limited to the first 20 people each day of the event. Coupons can be picked up at "Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan." * Coupon expiration date: February 28, 2026 (Sun). * Available stores for coupon use are listed on the special website (https://www.w-nexco.co.jp/drive_porter/driverally/minabe.html).

Event Dates: October 3 (Sat), 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), 17 (Sat), 24 (Sat), 2025

How to Use:

*1 Please visit within the business hours of Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan (9:00 to 17:00).

*2 To verify eligibility, we will check the relevant driving history recorded on your ETC card at Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan.

*3 Only one coupon can be received per person during the distribution period.

*4 Coupons will only be distributed on the event dates and only for those who passed through the Minabe IC exit on that day.

Access to Michi-no-Eki Umeshinkokan

... Approximately 5 minutes by car from E42 Hanwa Expressway Minabe IC

[Special Event] Pop-up Umeboshi Shop

Overview: To make your return home more enjoyable, you can purchase the finest Nanko Umeboshi as a souvenir. Welcome the New Year with Japan's best Nanko Umeboshi.

Event Dates: December 26, 2025 (Sat)

Time: 8:00 to 15:00

* Sales will end when the products run out.

Location: E1A Shin-Meishin Expressway, Takarazuka Kita SA, outdoor event space

* In case of rain, the event will be held indoors.

Contents: Distribution of individually packaged Nanko Umeboshi Sale of Nanko Umeboshi, etc.

3. Other Information ~Make Your Trip More Affordable and Fun!~

Get even more value with "Drive Pass (Round Trip Discount)" NEXCO WEST offers "Drive Pass (Round Trip Discount)," a round-trip discount plan exclusively for ETC vehicles, allowing unlimited use of NEXCO WEST expressways for a flat rate. For details on the plan and application, please visit the NEXCO WEST website "Michi Tabi" (https://www.michitabi.com/). * "Drive Pass (Round Trip Discount)" may not be available during certain periods, such as during peak traffic seasons. Please check the website for details.

"Minabe Stamp Rally with Kokotabi Minabe" (Planned)

A stamp rally where you can win a prize by lottery based on the number of stamps collected by visiting tourist facilities and hot springs in Minabe Town, or by shopping and dining.

Details of the stamp rally will be announced on the Minabe Tourism Association's SNS and other channels.