Home to the gorgeous Kairakuen Garden, known for its beautiful ume blossoms, Ibaraki Prefecture is the perfect place to sample delicious umeshu.

The perfect balance between sweet and sour, umeshu is an iconic drink enjoyed by many in various ways. Umeshu is traditionally made from three main ingredients: ume (Japanese apricot), shochu (a Japanese spirit), and sugar. The way it's made is by combining the three elements, allowing the ume, sugar, and shochu to steep, blend, and breakdown over time, leaving you with a deliciously sweet, sour, and syrupy liqueur.

When you visit Ibaraki, you can't miss the opportunity to sample some local umeshu. Some of the area's most highly respected producers are Yoshikubo Brewery, Hirose Company, Kiuchi Brewery, and Meiri Shurui, each with a delicious lineup of award-winning brews. In celebration of this iconic locally loved drink, between late February and early March, the town of Mito holds an annual umeshu festival where visitors can sample a range of different blends from across the country.