Going to Japan also means going on a mouthwatering food adventure—clearly an experience to try and relish. With the country’s lush nature and the richness of its resources, food has always been fresh and top quality in Japan. It is no wonder that fruit picking has become a popular activity among locals and tourists alike. Hence, in case you have a craving for some very nutritious natural juices, here are some of the highly recommended areas to enjoy fresh fruits.

 

1. Apple - Hirosaki Apple Park (Aomori)

 

 

As Aomori is the largest producer of apples in Japan, its Hirosaki Apple Park has become a destination that many locals and tourists visit to experience fruit picking and taste the country’s well-loved apples. This is the same park where Filipino actor Robi Domingo got to experience and enjoy apple picking as well. 

 

While many people can visit the place anytime of the year, apple harvest commences from August and lasts until November, which makes it the best time for apple picking.

 

Furthermore, those who come by should not miss the chance to taste the delicious and popular ciders that Aomori offers—another activity that is definitely a must-try!

 

2. Cherry (Yamagata)

 

 

While there are many cherry orchards in Japan, it is the climate and the environmental factors in Yamagata Prefecture that made it a place best fit for cherry cultivation. It is no wonder that Yamagata is able to produce about 70% of Japan’s entire cherry production.

 

And with the tried and tested practices combined with the innovative methods that the cherry farmers do, cherries harvested from Yamagata remain to be deliciously sweet and appetizingly shiny. 

 

While there are different cherry orchards in the area where tourists can come by to experience fruit picking, the season of harvest is during the months of June and July. 

 

3. Peach (Yamanashi)

 

 

Home of the famous Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi’s location, weather conditions, and environmental factors made the place ideal for cultivating top-quality peaches, among many other fruits. 

 

During the peach harvesting period from July to early September, locals and tourists alike get to experience picking peaches of varying sizes from trees and tasting them freshly harvested right on the spot. There are many farms that offer such fruit picking activities in the area. 

 

Most people who have tried Yamanashi’s peaches would rave about its splendid sweetness and juiciness. Likewise, they would also praise its soft texture.

 

4. Grapes (Nagano)

 

 

There are a lot of local attractions to see and activities to do when tourists visit Nagano Prefecture, one of which has got to be grape picking. 

 

Famous for being able to produce certain kinds of grapes, Nagano’s popular variation of the fruit includes the Shine Muscat and the Nagano Purple. 

 

Shine Muscat are soft and juicy seedless grapes, typically yellow-green in color, and are rich in fiber and Vitamin C. Meanwhile, Nagano Purple grapes live up to their name as their skin has a dark purple color. They are sweet, seedless, and are highly nutritious as well. 

 

There are many vineyards in Nagano that offer grape picking and tasting activities. The harvesting season usually happens during the months of August, September, and October, so this should be a good time to tour around. 

 

5. Strawberry (Fukuoka)

 

 

While strawberries are widely produced in Japan, one specific variety stands out, and it is the Amaou strawberry that is being cultivated solely in Fukuoka Prefecture, available from December to May. With its huge size, juicy texture, sweet flavor, and stunningly red color, it earned the title of being the “King of Japanese Strawberries.” 

 

Hence, it is not surprising that an Amaou strawberry made it to the Guinness World Records in 2015 as the heaviest strawberry globally weighing 250 grams. 

 

Strawberry, with its meticulous cultivation process, is an incredible premium fruit to try. It is also being incorporated into a wide array of food, particularly desserts like cakes. Hence, it is one of the fresh local fruits that tourists should not miss during their stay in Japan.