[June 6th is Umeboshi Day] The trending "Umeboshi Making" on social media is seeing a surge in dropouts! A long-established craftsman will pickle plums "on your behalf" - The "New Plum Pickling Service Using 2026 Harvest Plums" is now available for made-to-order production.
Key facts
- [June 6th is Umeboshi Day] The trending "Umeboshi Making" on social media is seeing a surge in dropouts! A long-established craftsman will pickle plums "on your behalf" - The "New Plum Pickling Service Using 2026 Harvest Plums" is now available for made-to-order production.
- Kishu Ume Honpo, a long-established plum shop in Wakayama Prefecture, has launched a pickling service for those who have given up on making umeboshi at home. Professional craftsmen will pickle plums on behalf of customers using the 2026 harvest, delivering them in mid-October.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 2, 2026
Direct answer
Kishu Ume Honpo, a long-established plum shop in Wakayama Prefecture, has launched a pickling service for those who have given up on making umeboshi at home. Professional craftsmen will pickle plums on behalf of customers using the 2026 harvest, delivering them in mid-October.
- Citation
- [June 6th is Umeboshi Day] The trending "Umeboshi Making" on social media is seeing a surge in dropouts! A long-established craftsman will pickle plums "on your behalf" - The "New Plum Pickling Service Using 2026 Harvest Plums" is now available for made-to-order production. (June 2, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 2, 2026
Kishu Ume Honpo, a long-established plum shop in Wakayama Prefecture, has launched a pickling service for those who have given up on making umeboshi at home. Professional craftsmen will pickle plums on behalf of customers using the 2026 harvest, delivering them in mid-October.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 2, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: June 2, 2026 at 10:20
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 7, 2026 at 02:14 (111h 54m after Collected)
Kishu Ume Honpo (Headquarters: Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture; President: Takashi Oiwa), a third-generation plum shop in Wakayama Prefecture, which boasts the largest production volume of pickled plums in Japan, has started accepting orders for its "Umeboshi Making Agency (Reservation for Finished Product) Service" in conjunction with "Umeboshi Day" on June 6th and the peak harvest season for plums. In this service, professional craftsmen will pickle plums on behalf of customers and deliver them in the autumn.
In recent years, while "Umeboshi Making" (pickling plums at home in early summer) has become a trend on social media, many voices have been heard saying, "It takes too much time and effort," "I don't have storage space," and "I failed because it got moldy." This service is a new initiative that caters to these modern lifestyles, delivering a "taste unique to this year" carefully pickled by long-established professionals.
■ Development Background: The Modern Desire for a "Mindful Life" and the Physical Hurdles
June marks the season when green plums appear in stores. "Umeboshi Making," which involves enjoying homemade pickled plums and plum syrup, is popular as a symbol of a "mindful life" that connects with the seasons. However, making umeboshi involves physical hurdles such as "needing special tools and large pots," "the daily care and effort of sun-drying," and "no space to dry them in an apartment."
The "UMELAB" project by Kishu Ume Honpo has devised this agency service based on the concept of "a professional umeboshi maker pickles for you," catering to these modern lifestyles and concerns. No tools, space, or effort is required for pickling plums. Leveraging years of experience, the craftsmen at the long-established shop will carefully pickle the plums on behalf of the customer, delivering the "taste unique to this year" in mid-October, when freshly harvested new plums are at their most delicious.
Current Situation in the Production Area: Overcoming Climate Change, One Plum at a Time
Currently, in Wakayama, the harvest of the 2026 Kishu Nanko plums is in full swing. However, this year is also not an easy season for plum farmers. The effects of three consecutive years of unfavorable weather and changes in the natural environment are clearly visible in the fields, significantly impacting both yield and quality. At Kishu Ume Honpo, we also face each and every plum while checking the situation daily with the farmers. We will report on the real conditions of the local farms along with the harvest scenes, showing the environment in which this year's Kishu Nanko plums have grown.
"This year's plum harvest is so small that it is said to be 'half a crop' compared to the average of the past 10 years for three consecutive years. It is also true that many plums have been damaged by hail this year. One of the major reasons for the poor harvest is that the temperature was low during the flowering period in February, combined with the effects of rain and wind, which prevented bees, responsible for pollination, from being active enough. In recent years, due to changes in weather, there have been more years when plums bloom during cold periods or bad weather, increasing cases where the timing of flowering and bee activity do not match. Since Nanko plums are a variety that does not self-pollinate, the work of bees is essential for pollination. As a result, the fruit set rate (the proportion of fruit that sets) has been lower than usual this year."
Against this backdrop, the raw material price of green plums has risen this year. Since our company purchases green plums directly from farmers, we are currently doing our best to maintain prices, but due to soaring material and packaging costs caused by the situation in the Middle East, there is a possibility of price revisions in the future. Nevertheless, we will continue to face each and every plum carefully nurtured in nature and finish them into pickled plums with care and dedication.
■ Product Overview: "New Plum Pickled Plums" Pickled by Professionals on Your Behalf
We offer two flavors: the traditional "Shiso Plum," pickled with only shiso vinegar and salt, featuring a distinct red shiso flavor, and the "Honey Plum," pickled with honey, a mellow and sweet pickled plum that brings out the original flavor of the plum. This is a made-to-order production until Tuesday, June 30th, and will be delivered to you in large quantities in mid-October when the plums are at their most delicious.
● Product Name: We will make pickled plums on your behalf!
● Selectable Flavors and Contents:
① Grandma's Salty Shiso Plum (Salt content approx. 20%) / 2.3kg
② Sweet and Salty Honey Plum (Salt content approx. 6%) / 2.0kg
● Price: 7,800 yen (tax included) *Member price: 7,566 yen (tax included)
● Order Deadline: Until Tuesday, June 30, 2026
● Delivery Period: Mid-October 2026 (scheduled for the 3rd week)
Sales Page URL: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/?pid=191070750
About UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo
UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo was launched to "make umeboshi newer and more interesting," convey the appeal of umeboshi through "unprecedented umeboshi," and support the umeboshi manufacturing industry and plum farmers post-COVID. While umeboshi is often perceived as being favored by people in their 50s to 80s, we aim to spark interest among younger generations in their teens to 30s, and even people around the world. We communicate that umeboshi is delicious and good for beauty and health, and we share interesting products and innovative ways to eat umeboshi that have never existed before.
About Kishu Ume Honpo Co., Ltd.
Kishu Ume Honpo has been committed to making plums that delight customers for three generations and over 100 years since starting as a plum farmer in the Meiji era. While cherishing traditional plum making, we also take on new challenges, sharing interesting products and innovative ways to eat umeboshi that will bring smiles to family dining tables.
[Company Overview]
Company Name: Kishu Ume Honpo Co., Ltd.
Location: 1080-1 Taira, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 649-2331
Representative Director: Takashi Oiwa
Business: Sale of pickled plums and processed plum products
Kishu Ume Honpo: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/
Kishu Ume Honpo Rakuten Market Store: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/kisyuumehonpo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisyuumehonpo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/umehonpo
UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/?tid=8&mode=f47
Instagram (UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo): https://www.instagram.com/ume.lab/
In recent years, while "Umeboshi Making" (pickling plums at home in early summer) has become a trend on social media, many voices have been heard saying, "It takes too much time and effort," "I don't have storage space," and "I failed because it got moldy." This service is a new initiative that caters to these modern lifestyles, delivering a "taste unique to this year" carefully pickled by long-established professionals.
■ Development Background: The Modern Desire for a "Mindful Life" and the Physical Hurdles
June marks the season when green plums appear in stores. "Umeboshi Making," which involves enjoying homemade pickled plums and plum syrup, is popular as a symbol of a "mindful life" that connects with the seasons. However, making umeboshi involves physical hurdles such as "needing special tools and large pots," "the daily care and effort of sun-drying," and "no space to dry them in an apartment."
The "UMELAB" project by Kishu Ume Honpo has devised this agency service based on the concept of "a professional umeboshi maker pickles for you," catering to these modern lifestyles and concerns. No tools, space, or effort is required for pickling plums. Leveraging years of experience, the craftsmen at the long-established shop will carefully pickle the plums on behalf of the customer, delivering the "taste unique to this year" in mid-October, when freshly harvested new plums are at their most delicious.
Current Situation in the Production Area: Overcoming Climate Change, One Plum at a Time
Currently, in Wakayama, the harvest of the 2026 Kishu Nanko plums is in full swing. However, this year is also not an easy season for plum farmers. The effects of three consecutive years of unfavorable weather and changes in the natural environment are clearly visible in the fields, significantly impacting both yield and quality. At Kishu Ume Honpo, we also face each and every plum while checking the situation daily with the farmers. We will report on the real conditions of the local farms along with the harvest scenes, showing the environment in which this year's Kishu Nanko plums have grown.
"This year's plum harvest is so small that it is said to be 'half a crop' compared to the average of the past 10 years for three consecutive years. It is also true that many plums have been damaged by hail this year. One of the major reasons for the poor harvest is that the temperature was low during the flowering period in February, combined with the effects of rain and wind, which prevented bees, responsible for pollination, from being active enough. In recent years, due to changes in weather, there have been more years when plums bloom during cold periods or bad weather, increasing cases where the timing of flowering and bee activity do not match. Since Nanko plums are a variety that does not self-pollinate, the work of bees is essential for pollination. As a result, the fruit set rate (the proportion of fruit that sets) has been lower than usual this year."
Against this backdrop, the raw material price of green plums has risen this year. Since our company purchases green plums directly from farmers, we are currently doing our best to maintain prices, but due to soaring material and packaging costs caused by the situation in the Middle East, there is a possibility of price revisions in the future. Nevertheless, we will continue to face each and every plum carefully nurtured in nature and finish them into pickled plums with care and dedication.
■ Product Overview: "New Plum Pickled Plums" Pickled by Professionals on Your Behalf
We offer two flavors: the traditional "Shiso Plum," pickled with only shiso vinegar and salt, featuring a distinct red shiso flavor, and the "Honey Plum," pickled with honey, a mellow and sweet pickled plum that brings out the original flavor of the plum. This is a made-to-order production until Tuesday, June 30th, and will be delivered to you in large quantities in mid-October when the plums are at their most delicious.
● Product Name: We will make pickled plums on your behalf!
● Selectable Flavors and Contents:
① Grandma's Salty Shiso Plum (Salt content approx. 20%) / 2.3kg
② Sweet and Salty Honey Plum (Salt content approx. 6%) / 2.0kg
● Price: 7,800 yen (tax included) *Member price: 7,566 yen (tax included)
● Order Deadline: Until Tuesday, June 30, 2026
● Delivery Period: Mid-October 2026 (scheduled for the 3rd week)
Sales Page URL: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/?pid=191070750
About UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo
UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo was launched to "make umeboshi newer and more interesting," convey the appeal of umeboshi through "unprecedented umeboshi," and support the umeboshi manufacturing industry and plum farmers post-COVID. While umeboshi is often perceived as being favored by people in their 50s to 80s, we aim to spark interest among younger generations in their teens to 30s, and even people around the world. We communicate that umeboshi is delicious and good for beauty and health, and we share interesting products and innovative ways to eat umeboshi that have never existed before.
About Kishu Ume Honpo Co., Ltd.
Kishu Ume Honpo has been committed to making plums that delight customers for three generations and over 100 years since starting as a plum farmer in the Meiji era. While cherishing traditional plum making, we also take on new challenges, sharing interesting products and innovative ways to eat umeboshi that will bring smiles to family dining tables.
[Company Overview]
Company Name: Kishu Ume Honpo Co., Ltd.
Location: 1080-1 Taira, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 649-2331
Representative Director: Takashi Oiwa
Business: Sale of pickled plums and processed plum products
Kishu Ume Honpo: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/
Kishu Ume Honpo Rakuten Market Store: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/kisyuumehonpo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisyuumehonpo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/umehonpo
UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo: https://www.ume-honpo.co.jp/?tid=8&mode=f47
Instagram (UMELAB by Kishu Ume Honpo): https://www.instagram.com/ume.lab/
FAQ
When is the order deadline for this service?
Until Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
When will the product be delivered?
Mid-October 2026 (scheduled for the 3rd week).
How many flavors are available?
Two flavors: Shiso Plum (salt approx. 20%) and Honey Plum (salt approx. 6%).