It’s Strawberry Harvest Season near Tokyo

Jan 23, 2017

It’s Strawberry Harvest Season near Tokyo

Japan’s vivid changing seasons are not only beautiful to witness, but they can also be very delicious to taste! Throughout the year across the country, various produce farms take their turn growing and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead of waiting for these healthy treats to arrive at the local supermarkets, many farms offer the option for visitors to get involved in the picking and harvesting process themselves! Strawberry season is one of the most popular and delicious fruit-picking opportunities in Japan, and it’s just beginning!

These juicy red berries are grown throughout Japan, with the most abundant supplies hailing from the Tochigi, Fukuoka, and Shizuoka prefectures. You might be surprised to find out that there are over 100 unique varieties of strawberries, including the Tochiotome varietal from Tochigi, the round and sweet Amaou from Fukuoka, and Shizuoka’s bright and fragrant Benihoppe.

Most of the strawberry farms are located slightly out of the main city areas, so the best option for a day’s harvest is usually jumping on a tour. Different tour companies offer slightly different packages, but similarly delicious experiences. When you arrive on site, you will be directed to greenhouses bursting with fruit ready to be picked. One of the best parts of strawberry picking in Japan is that many of the farms don’t use chemicals, so you can eat while you pick straight from the plant! Additionally, there is often the option to carry a small tray while you pick that has some sweetened condensed milk on it for you to dip your berries in for an additional burst of sweetness.

Depending on where you’re located this spring, check out which strawberry farms are most accessible and be sure to make the trip! Your tastebuds will thank you later!

Departing from Tokyo:

Kawatsura Strawberry Farm (Chiba)

Where: By train, take the express train “Shiosai” from Tokyo Station for 1 hour and 10 minutes. By car, enter navigation 0475-82-4328. 478 Hayafune, Sanmu, Chiba
Open: December 15 to the end of May
Hours: Weekdays opens at 10:00 a.m., weekends/holidays opens at 9:20 a.m. Closes daily when most red fruits have been harvested.
Pricing:
Adults: 1,100-1,600 yen
Children 4-6 years: 700-1,300 yen
Children under 3 years: 300-500 yen
*Price ranges indicative of quantities of strawberries available
Tel: 080-3749-3271
Website: http://www.kawatsura15.com/e/index.html

Roman no Mori Kyowa Koku Strawberry Farm (Chiba)

Where: A 1-hour drive from Tokyo on the Aqua Line, and an additional bus ride for a total of approximately 2 hours. 659-1 Toyohide, Kimitsu , Chiba
Open: January 1 to the end of May
Hours:
Weekdays (except Wednesdays): 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Weekends: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pricing:
Adults: 1,200-2,000 yen
Elementary Age: 1,000-1,600 yen
Children 2-5 years: 600-1,000 yen
*Price ranges indicative of quantities of strawberries available
Tel: 0439-38-2211
Website (Japanese only): http://www.romannomori.co.jp/special/event/

Departing from Osaka/Kansai

Haru Farm

Where: Take the Nankai Railway, Airport Line to Kishiwada Station and take the Nankai Bus bound for Michino-eki/Aisai Land. Get off the bus at Tombo-ike Koen Mae, 2415-1 Obu-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture 596-0816
Open: January 5 to early June
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Pricing:
Adults (junior high school student or older): 2,500
Elementary Age: 2,000 yen
Younger than elementary age: 500 yen
Infants: Free
*Pricing includes all you can eat strawberries for one hour
Tel: 072-440-0200
Website (English): http://www.haru-ichigo.com/english/index.html

By Walter J. Pilsak, Waldsassen (German Wikipedia) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons