When & Where to Go Fruit Picking in Japan

Japan’s famously beautiful fruit tastes even better when it comes straight from the tree or vine. Across the country, sightseeing farms invite visitors to pick and sample seasonal produce, with experiences ranging from timed all-you-can-eat sessions to harvests charged by weight.

Exactly what is available depends on the destination, weather and growing conditions each year. Whether you are craving cherries in Yamagata, peaches in Yamanashi or apples in Aomori, this guide will help you decide when and where to go fruit picking in Japan.

Cherries

Image credit: Robert Thomson

Best season: June to July

Cherry season marks the beginning of summer in many of Japan’s fruit-growing regions. Yamagata is the country’s best-known cherry destination, particularly around Sagae and Tendo, where numerous orchards offer timed picking and all-you-can-eat experiences.

Yamanashi is another popular option, with cherry orchards around Minami-Alps City, Koshu and the Kofu Basin. Travellers exploring Hokkaido can also find cherry-picking farms during summer, although its cooler climate means the season may begin slightly later.

Look out for varieties such as Sato Nishiki, which is prized for its balance of sweetness and gentle tartness.

Melons

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Best season: May to September, with some autumn harvests

Melon picking is less widespread than strawberry or grape picking, but there are several excellent places to try it. Ibaraki is Japan’s leading melon-producing prefecture, and farms around Hokota City welcome visitors during the main harvest seasons.

At Forest Park Melon no Mori, visitors can pick and taste locally grown melons from late spring to early summer and again in autumn. Gamagori Orange Park in Aichi and Izu Fruit Park in Shizuoka also offer seasonal melon-picking experiences during the warmer months.

Depending on the farm, your plan may include picking one melon to take home, tasting freshly cut slices or enjoying an all-you-can-eat session.

Blueberries

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Best season: June to September

Blueberry farms begin opening as temperatures rise, with the precise season varying between regions. Around Kodaira in western Tokyo, visitors can pick blueberries from roughly July to September, making it one of the more convenient options for travellers staying in the capital.

Other well-known growing areas include Miyagi, Chiba, Tottori and Hokkaido. Zao Blueberry Farm in Miyagi cultivates numerous varieties, while farms across Chiba generally welcome visitors between early summer and late August.

Blueberries are often grown on relatively low bushes, making this one of the most accessible fruit-picking activities for families with young children.

Peach

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Best season: Mid-June to early September

Few experiences capture summer in Japan quite like biting into a freshly picked peach. Yamanashi is one of the country’s leading peach-producing regions, with orchards spread across Fuefuki, Koshu and the Kofu Basin.

Fukushima is another major peach destination, while Okayama is celebrated for its delicate white peaches. In an average year, Okayama’s peach-picking season runs from around mid-July to mid-August, although individual farms may offer different varieties and harvest periods.

Some farms allow visitors to pick peaches directly from the trees, while others combine orchard visits with prepared fruit tastings. Check the details carefully when reserving your experience.

Grapes

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Best season: August to October

Grape season brings bunches of Kyoho, Pione, Shine Muscat and other popular varieties to farms across Japan. Yamanashi and Nagano are among the leading destinations, with vineyards offering picking and tasting experiences from late summer into autumn.

Okayama is another excellent choice, particularly for travellers hoping to sample large Muscat and Pione grapes. Around Osaka, grape farms can also be found in areas such as Kashiwara and Kawachinagano.

Picking arrangements differ considerably. Some farms offer all-you-can-eat sessions, while others charge according to the bunches you harvest.

Pears

Image credit: Satoru Fujiwara

Best season: August to October

Japanese pears, commonly known as nashi, are round, crisp and especially juicy. Their refreshing texture makes them a favourite during the humid late-summer months.

Kumamoto’s pear season generally extends from early August until the end of October, with varieties ripening at different points throughout the period. Tochigi and Chiba also have numerous orchards where visitors can pick pears, while mixed-fruit farms in Shizuoka and Yamanashi may offer them alongside grapes and apples.

Niitaka pears are among the largest varieties, while Kosui and Hosui are particularly popular for their fragrant sweetness.

Apples

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Best season: August to mid-November

Apple picking begins towards the end of summer and continues through autumn. Aomori is Japan’s most famous apple-growing prefecture, with Hirosaki City serving as an ideal base for orchard visits.

Hirosaki City Apple Park offers picking from approximately early August to mid-November. The park contains thousands of apple trees, educational displays and shops filled with apple-themed products.

Nagano is another major apple destination, especially around its cooler northern regions. Different varieties ripen throughout the season, so the apples available will depend on when you visit.

Strawberries

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Best season: December to May

Although strawberries are often associated with summer elsewhere, Japan’s main strawberry-picking season runs through winter and spring. Most experiences take place inside temperature-controlled greenhouses, allowing the berries to ripen during the colder months.

Tochigi is Japan’s leading strawberry-producing prefecture and is home to varieties such as Tochiotome, Tochi-Aika and Skyberry. Numerous farms offer timed all-you-can-eat sessions from December until May or early June.

Strawberry farms can also be found around Tokyo, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Shizuoka, Chiba and many other destinations. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during school holidays.

Mikan oranges

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Best season: October to December

Mikan are small, sweet and easy-to-peel Japanese mandarins that come into season during autumn and winter. Warmer coastal prefectures such as Ehime, Wakayama, Shizuoka and Aichi are especially well known for citrus cultivation.

At Gamagori Orange Park in Aichi, visitors can pick the city’s own Gamagori mikan between October and December. Many farms allow guests to eat as much as they like within the orchard before paying separately for any fruit they wish to take away.

The trees are generally low and the fruit is easy to remove, making mikan picking another enjoyable option for families.

These are only some of the fruits available to pick around Japan. Depending on the region, you may also find persimmons, plums, figs, kiwifruit and chestnuts during their respective harvest seasons.

Fruit availability can change according to the weather, and farms may close once their ripe produce has been picked. Always check the latest harvest conditions, reservation requirements, access information and picking rules directly with the farm before travelling.