[Wakasa Town] A town with a lake: Early summer Wakasa blossom scenery in Wakasa

2026.07.13

I participated in "Otabel," a plum harvesting volunteer event held in Wakasa Town. This early summer initiative, which allows participants to deeply experience the local nature, culture, and connections with people through assisting plum farmers and interacting with them, has attracted many participants.

A well-being trip through plum harvesting

Hi, I'm Yamada , a writer promoting the charms of the Tsuruga and Wakasa area. I moved from Tokyo to Obama Obama City as part of the Fukui Prefecture Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team, and I'm now bringing you tourism information about the Tsuruga and Wakasa area. June was the plum harvesting season. Fukui Prefecture is one of the leading plum producing areas in Japan. Plums are cultivated in the Reinan region, including Wakasa Town. The plum varieties are also unique, such as "Benisashi," "Kensaki," "Shinheidayu," and "Fukudayu." I had been wanting to cover the harvesting process when I learned about a project called "Fukui Plum Harvest Helper Travel" (hereafter referred to as "Otabel"). Young plum farmers in Wakasa Town have been leading this project since last year, recruiting volunteers for plum harvesting. The period for participation in 2026 was from June 10th to 30th. Since it was possible to apply in half-day increments, I also participated in a three-day, morning-only program.

[Fukui Plum Harvest Support Travel]

Simply put, it's a volunteer activity to help plum farmers in Wakasa Town with their harvest. There is no provision for transportation or accommodation expenses, nor is there any compensation (though there is a gift of plums). Participants meet and disperse at the farm, so you need to arrange your own transportation. Despite this, nearly 40 people participated last time. It seems that there is a growing demand for unique experiences specific to the region. This year, 11 farmers in Wakasa Town are participating as host farms, and the project has started with the addition of collaborative projects with travel agencies and companies. There was an online information session beforehand, and detailed explanatory materials have also been published on note, so there is no need to worry about participating. Individual questions were also accepted at the information session, so any unclear points can be resolved there as well. There were also introductions of each farm, which made us feel closer to them and made us look forward to the day. After applying for the project, the host farms were decided about a week in advance, and we were notified of the meeting place and other details.

A plum orchard in Wakasa Town(Photo by Brian Eastlake)

On the day of the event, you will head directly to the designated farm. Personally, I recommend traveling by car. You will need to wear a hat, long sleeves, long pants, and boots, and you should also bring a raincoat. You will also receive a plum as a gift on the way back, so you will have quite a lot of luggage. The Tsuruga and Wakasa areas are car-dependent, so train and bus schedules are not as extensive as in urban areas. If you have a car, you will have more convenience in terms of transporting luggage and making efficient use of your time. Once you arrive at the farm, you will introduce yourself and immediately begin harvesting. The plums are easy to pick, so no difficult skills are required. You will use a stepladder to pick the fruit that is high up, but you can decide whether or not to use it yourself. Many people are afraid of climbing stepladders, so the farmers do not force anyone and prioritize safety. In June, the temperature rises when it is sunny. You will sweat quite a bit, especially if you are wearing long sleeves. You will need to manage your hydration and physical condition carefully. Of course, the farmers will also provide breaks as needed and take care of your well-being. The main task is harvesting the fruit, but the specifics are up to the farmer's discretion. I also had the opportunity to sort the harvested fruit. During the work and breaks, I chatted with the farmers and learned about plum cultivation and local customs.

Helping with the plum harvest in the orchard (Photo by Brian Eastlake)

These are experiences you can't easily get on a regular trip. It seems that recent travel styles are demanding experiences unique to each region, and I can certainly understand why. This year's Otabel saw about 200 participants in the general program and about 100 in the programs organized by travel agencies and companies. I hope this initiative continues next year and the year after, and that it leads to the creation of a new form of tourism, fostering connections with local communities and further regional development.

Fukui's specialty, Beni-e plum (Photo by Brian Eastlake)

The basket was filled in just a short time (Photo by Brian Eastlake)

Here is the link to the Fukui Plum Harvest Helper Travel 2026 note: https://note.com/wakasaumework

[Wakasa Town in early summer is a town fragrant with the scent of plum blossoms.]

Early summer in Wakasa Town. The trees around the Mikata Five Lakes in the northern part of the town are deepening in green, adding a fresh splash of color to the scenery. Driving or cycling along the lake is a relaxing activity that can be proudly presented both domestically and internationally. You can fully enjoy the rich natural environment. In particular, the Rainbow Line, which spans Wakasa Town and Mihama Town, offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Nihon Sea and the Mikata Five Lakes from the mountaintop park, captivating visitors. On the shores of Lake Mikata is the Fukui Prefecture Annual Layer Museum, where you can learn about geography and archaeology, focusing on the annual layers of Lake Suigetsu, which boast the world's longest length of approximately 70,000 years. The Wakasa Mikata Jomon Museum, which exhibits Jomon artifacts unearthed in Wakasa Town, is also located nearby, allowing you to experience history and culture. In the town's Tango Kaido area, Wakasa Urikiri Meisui Park and Urikiri Falls, selected as one of Japan's 100 best waters, are popular tourist spots. The area boasts distinctive temples and shrines, and further south, the Saba Kaido area and Kumagawa-juku preserve the charm of a historic post town. Personally, I feel that the Tsuruga and Wakasa area, including Wakasa Wakasa Town, is a region best suited for a trip that feels like living there. I recommend staying for a few days and leisurely enjoying the unique local experiences and sightseeing. Each season has its own charm, but the scenery of the town fragrant with plum blossoms in early summer is highly recommended.

View from Rainbow Line Mountaintop Park

Wakasa Uwari Famous Water Park and Uwari Falls - One of Japan's Top 100 Famous Waters

Sanpoishi Kannon

[Wakasa plums as a souvenir]

Wakasa Town offers a wide variety of plum products, including pickled plums, sweets, and plum wine. If you're visiting as a tourist, you can find them in souvenir shops at tourist spots, but I'd like to introduce two representative locations: Michi-no-Eki Mikata-Goko and JA Fukui Prefecture-ken Ume-no-Sato Kaikan. Plum products are available year-round, but the scene changes dramatically during the harvest season from late May to late June. The shops are bustling with an abundance of plums. Some plum farmers around Lake Mikata also sell directly to customers, so it's fun to stop by while driving around. The flavors of pickled plums are truly diverse. I enjoy trying different kinds to find my favorite. Wakasa Town is also a rice-producing area, and locally grown rice is served at guesthouses and other establishments. Pickled plums and rice – a Wakasa combination that's simply the best!

Michi-no-Eki Mikata Goko

□Michi-no-Eki Mikata Goko (Roadside Station Mikata Goko) 122-31-1 Torihama, Wakasa-cho, Mikata-Kami-Naka- Wakasa Town , Fukui Prefecture Prefecture 919-1331 TEL 0770-45-0113 Closed: First Tuesday of the month, New Year holidays (Open every day in July and August) Business hours: 9:00-17:00 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsmikatagoko

Pickled plums and plum-based sweets are sold year-round.

The plum harvest season is when the plum fruit is the main product.

Focus on varieties unique to Fukui Prefecture

JA Fukui Prefecture Ume no Sato Hall

□JA Fukui Ume no Sato Kaikan 17-4-1 Narude, Wakasa-cho, Mikata-Kami Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture Prefecture 919-1462 TEL: 0770-46-1501 Closed: New Year holidays Business hours: 8:45 - 16:45 Website URL : https://shop-ja-tsurugamikata.com/

The store is filled with many kinds of pickled plums.

We also have a wide selection of processed plum products.

*Images and information are from the day of the interview. Please check the official website for the latest information.

[Interview Dates: June 10-12 & 16, 2026] Fukui Prefecture Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Tsuruga/ Wakasa Area Charm Promotion Writer Yamada Yamada Also sharing the charm of the area on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsurugawakasa_writer Sharing glimpses of life as a Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team member and behind-the-scenes stories from interviews on note : https://note.com/reinan_writer53