Fruit picking in Japan is an ideal way to enjoy your Autumn or Winter trip.
This fun activity lets you sample the freshest produce right from the source.
It’s a great chance to taste the flavours of the season while taking in Japan’s lovely countryside.
From September to February, you can pick a variety of fruits across Japan.
Each fruit has its own season, so there’s always something new to try.
Over the years, our family has picked apples, strawberries, satsuma oranges and more.
Autumn and Winter Fruits in Japan
As the air turns crisp in Japan, you’ll find a scrumptious array of fruits to enjoy.
In autumn, sink your teeth into sweet persimmons or juicy grapes.
Crunchy apples and pears are perfect for snacking.
Winter brings its own delights.
Peel a tangy mandarin or savour a plump strawberry.
Kiwis offer a tangy kick to brighten cold days.
Season | Fruits |
---|---|
Autumn | Persimmons, Apples, Pears, Grapes, Chestnuts |
Winter | Mandarins, Strawberries, Kiwis |
Picking Persimmons: A Sweet Autumn Treat
Fancy a taste of autumn?
Why not try your hand at picking persimmons?
These luscious fruits are a staple of the Japanese autumn, known for their sweet flavour and cultural significance.
Farms across the country throw open their gates, inviting you to pluck these orange beauties straight from the tree.
When you’re choosing your persimmons, look for firm, bright fruits that feel weighty in your hand.
Steer clear of any with cracks, gaps or brown patches to ensure you’re getting the cream of the crop.
Here are a couple of top spots for your persimmon-picking adventure:
- Hidamarino Sato Adachi Persimmon Farm (Shizuoka)
- Open: 9 am to 4 pm (book ahead)
- Cost: £8 for unlimited picking
- Season: October to February
- Nakagomi Orchard (Yamanashi)
- Open: 9 am to 4 pm (book ahead)
- Cost: £5.50 for an hour
- Season: Mid-October to mid-November
So grab your basket and get ready for a juicy day out!
Apple Plucking in Autumn
Ready for a charming day out?
Apple plucking is a brilliant autumn activity in Japan.
Wander through lush orchards.
Enjoy the autumn colours.
Pick ripe, juicy apples from the trees.
It’s a fab way to spend time outdoors and enjoy the season’s bounty.
Fancy a trip to Aomori?
Pop by Hirosaki City Apple Park from August to November.
For $8 per kilo or approximately ¥880, you can pick apples to your heart’s content from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Remember to bring:
- Comfy shoes
- A sun hat
- A camera for snaps
- Your appetite!
Happy plucking!
Nashi: Japan’s Autumn Delight
Fancy a crisp and sweet treat this autumn?
Look no further than nashi, Japan’s delightful pears.
These juicy fruits reach their peak ripeness in the fall, making it the perfect time for a pick-your-own adventure.
You’ll find two popular varieties waiting to be plucked: Kosui and Hosui.
Both offer a satisfying crunch and burst of flavour that’s sure to please your taste buds.
Keen to give it a go? Here are a couple of top spots to try:
- Kunigikankono Orchards (Wakayama)
- Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: ¥1000 (includes all-you-can-eat)
- Picking season: Late August to late September
- Tourist Farm Nanrakuen (Osaka)
- Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: ¥1500 (includes all-you-can-eat)
- Picking season: Early to late September
Don’t miss out on this tasty autumn activity.
Grape Harvesting
Fancy a fruity adventure in Japan?
You’re in for a treat with grape picking from August to October.
Get ready to savour sweet Kyoho and posh Shine Muscat varieties right off the vine.
Fancy a trip to Gunma?
Pop by Minakami Fruits Land Mogitore for a grape-tastic time.
From June to September, doors open at 9 a.m.
In October, you can sleep in a bit as they open at 10 a.m.
For just ¥2200, you get 30 minutes of all-you-can-eat grapes.
If Niigata’s more your cup of tea, Shirone Grape Garden‘s got you covered.
Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can munch away for ¥1400 to ¥1800. The best bit?
It’s an all-you-can-eat affair, too!
Remember to check the harvesting seasons:
- Minakami: Late August to late September
- Shirone: August to early November
So, grab your mates and get picking!
Mandarin Orange Picking
Fancy a juicy treat?
Get ready for some mikan magic!
These sweet Japanese mandarins are a winter favourite, bursting with vitamin C and easy to peel.
You can pick your own from October to December at lovely orchards across Japan.
Head to Gamagori Orange Park in Aichi for an all-you-can-eat experience.
For just ¥1430, you can munch to your heart’s content from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Don’t forget to book ahead!
If you’re in Fukuoka, pop over to Buzen Fruits Land.
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from mid-October to mid-November.
Entry is a bargain at ¥330, and you can take home a 1.5kg bag for ¥600.
Early-season mikans are zingy and refreshing.
As winter rolls on, they get sweeter and juicier. Why not try both and pick your favourite?
Strawberry Picking
Fancy a sweet winter treat?
You can pick your own strawberries in Japan from December to May.
It’s a brilliant day out for the whole family.
Cosy greenhouses shield you from the cold as you pluck ripe, dark berries straight from the plant.
Two top spots for strawberry picking are:
Hirata Kanko Noen (Hiroshima)
- Open: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: ¥2,420 for all-you-can-eat “Kanjime strawberries”
- When: January to May
Matsumori Farm (Miyagi)
- Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: ¥2200 (Jan-Apr), ¥1900 (May-Jun)
- When: January to June
Before you go, ring ahead to check the farm rules.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes – you’ll be bending and reaching for those juicy berries!
Kiwi Harvesting
Ready for a tasty autumn adventure?
Kiwi picking is a brilliant way to spend a crisp autumn day in Japan.
These fuzzy fruits pack a punch of flavour and nutrition.
You’ll find orchards dotted around the country where you can pluck these green gems straight from the vine.
Two top spots for kiwi picking are worth a look:
- Kiwi Fruits Country Japan (Shizuoka)
- Open: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: ¥1,500 (all-you-can-eat)
- Season: October to mid-January
- Kagaya Orchard (Akita)
- Open: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free entry, ¥600 per kg picked
- Season: Early November to early December
Remember to wear comfy shoes and bring a jumper.