Farmers in Mito City north of Tokyo are busy shipping ume plums they hope to establish as a local specialty.

The city is home to Kairakuen park, a popular viewing spot for ume blossoms. Local officials want the fruit to become just as famous.

Farmers expect a bumper crop this year thanks to favorable weather. Harvest is likely to reach four tons, about 30 percent more than last year.

The plums will be mostly processed into liquor, sweets and sour umeboshi pickles.

Twenty-five farmers are cultivating the fruit. One expressed hope that they will sell well as Mito-branded goods.