Various orchards around Japan offer fruit-picking experiences by weight, per piece or all-you-can-eat for a fixed amount of time depending on the fruit. It’s a popular weekend activity with Japanese people and great for families with small children.
Available year-round although the best season is begining of January-May. Recommended varieties include Akihime and Tochihime, which have a fine balance of sweetness and tartness. Regions famous for strawberry production: Yamanashi, Tochigi.
Another summer fruit. The best season for cherries is June. Sato-nishiki with its bright red skin is popular in Japan with a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Being a high-grade cherry, a carton can cost up to 10,000 yen! Regions famous for cherry production: Yamanashi, Yamagata.
Peach-picking is available from mid June – mid September. Hakuto is considered the best variety of peach with its juicy white flesh and sweetness. Regions famous for peach production: Yamanashi, Fukushima.
Available from August until mid November. Most of the apples produced in Japan are Fuji apples, with beautiful bright red skin, juicy, sweet and crisp flesh. Regions famous for apple production: Nagano, Aomori.
Available from May to the end of October to November. Some popular varieties are “Kyoho” or “Pione”. Regions famous for grape production: Yamanashi, Nagano.
Where to go fruit picking:
Tokyo
Yamanashi
Yamagata
Aomori