Grape picking experience in Okayama, the fruit kingdom

Why Okayama grapes are delicious

High-quality grapes born from a favorable climate and the love of growers

Reason 1: Temperate climate in the Setouchi Inland Sea : ``The warm, dry climate is perfect for growing grapes!'' Okayama Prefecture is blessed with the warm climate of the Setouchi Inland Sea and has many sunny days, making it ideal for growing grapes. The highland area in the northern part of the prefecture has a temperature difference between day and night, which makes it possible to grow sweet, high-quality produce. Various types of grapes can be enjoyed as a seasonal delicacy throughout the prefecture.

Reason 2: History of grape cultivation ``Japan's first! Muscat of Alexandria successfully cultivated'' Grape cultivation began in Japan about 130 years ago. However, in the beginning, cultivation was difficult due to the inability to adapt to the climate. Meanwhile, in 1886 (Meiji 19), Muscat of Alexandria was successfully cultivated for the first time in Japan using greenhouse cultivation devised in Okayama Prefecture. Since then, we have pursued greenhouse cultivation techniques and cultivated a wide variety of grape varieties using the techniques and efforts inherited from our predecessors.

Reason 3: Advanced cultivation techniques ``Cultivation methods have been devised so that you can enjoy fresh grapes for a long period of time.'' Growers have made innovations in greenhouse cultivation techniques, and by passing on techniques, they are producing high-quality grapes. In the southern part of the prefecture, greenhouse cultivation allows for early shipment from April to August, while in the northern part of the prefecture, open field (unheated) cultivation takes advantage of the temperature difference, allowing for shipment from September to December. Thanks to cultivation methods that take advantage of the region's characteristics, Okayama Prefecture can now enjoy fresh grapes for a long period from April to December. In addition, through careful work such as thinning the grapes and bagging them, it is possible to harvest large, well-shaped grapes, making them popular as high-quality gifts.

Varieties and characteristics of grapes in Okayama

Check out the characteristics of the wide variety of grapes!

A wide variety of grapes are grown in Okayama Prefecture. A wide variety of varieties, including Muscat of Alexandria and Pione, which boast the highest production volume in Japan, Seto Giant, which originated in Okayama, Aurora Black, a new variety Shine Muscat, and the rare winter grape Shien, are rich in texture. There are also various flavors. Find your favorite grapes.

Muscat of Alexandria

No. 1 in production nationwide!
One of the high-quality grapes that Okayama Prefecture is proud of. The beautiful emerald green fruit is enveloped in an elegant aroma and fresh fruit juice. It is known as the "Queen of Fruits" because Cleopatra liked to eat it, and it has fascinated many people since ancient times. Recommended as a gift for a loved one or as a luxurious souvenir.
[Estimated shipping time: May to November]

Pione

No. 1 in production nationwide!
The secret to its popularity is its large fruit with a strong sweetness and juicy juice. Seedless Pione is now commonplace, but Okayama Prefecture was the first to develop a seedless variety. The beautiful black fruit peels easily and is easy to eat, making it a favorite among a wide range of people, from the elderly to children.
[Estimated shipping time: May to November]

Shine Muscat

A variety born in 2006!
The appeal is that each grain is large, has no seeds, and can be eaten with the skin on. The moment you bite into it, it pops with a crunchy sound and you can enjoy its bouncy texture. A new variety of grape with a refreshing faint muscat aroma.
[Estimated shipping time: July to October]

Seto Giants

Grapes originating from Okayama!
A popular variety with a crunchy texture and a refreshing sweet and sour taste that spreads in your mouth. It has no seeds and can be eaten with the skin on. The large fruit has a peach-like constriction. This is a grape born in Okayama that is a cross between ``Guzaru Color'' and ``Neo Muscat.''
[Estimated shipping time: July to November]

aurora black

Grapes originating from Okayama!
This is a variety born in Okayama that has large fruits that are satisfying to eat. It has a high sugar content and a deep sweetness that makes it attractive. It is attracting attention as a black grape next to Pione and Kyoho. It has a long shelf life, making it popular as a gift.
[Estimated shipping time: May to October]

Shien

Rare winter grapes!
A beautiful grape with an elegant wine red appearance. When you take a bite, you can feel the unique texture and the juicy juice. It has no seeds and the skin peels off easily, making it easy for even small children to eat.
[Estimated shipping time: October to December]

A farm where you can pick grapes

Kubo Farm (Okayama City)

Ishihara Orchard (Okayama City)

Mimasaka Farm（Mimaska City）

Buy grapes at a direct sales store

Freshly harvested grapes are stocked at the farmers' markets attached to roadside stations and JA stores in Okayama Prefecture. You can buy just one bunch, and it's cheaper than buying it as a gift, so if you come across a direct sales store, please stop by.

List of direct sales stores in Okayama Prefecture

A delicious way to eat grapes

◎If you want to taste the deliciousness all the way to the end, start from the tip.If you eat from light to strong flavors, you will be able to enjoy the food to the very end. Same goes for grapes. The bunches ripen from the shoulders, so the taste is lighter at the tips. Be sure to eat from the beginning and enjoy the deliciousness until the end.

◎If you want to preserve it, wrap it in newspaper or paper
When you want to preserve grapes, wrap them in newspaper or paper and put them in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. If you store it in a place with little temperature fluctuation, it will stay delicious until the end.

◎If you can't eat all the seedless grapes
Put the uneaten seedless grapes in the freezer. If you take it out a little before eating, it will have a crunchy sherbet-like texture and the sweetness of the grapes will spread in your mouth, giving you a different taste experience.

Sweets and souvenirs made with grapes

grape parfait

Fruit Kingdom, Okayama Prefecture. Okayama City, in particular, is known as the ``Fruit Parfait City,'' where you can enjoy fruit parfaits made with seasonal fruits such as juicy Muscat and Pione at about 30 stores in the city. (Varies depending on the season)

canned fruit

A special masterpiece made by removing the skin and seeds of Okayama Muscat grapes one by one by hand and soaking them in an elegantly flavored syrup. An exquisite dessert packed with all the deliciousness of the season. You can eat it as is, or add it to yogurt or ice cream.

fruit jelly

We use fresh fruits from Okayama Prefecture to create a jelly with a softer texture than jelly. Assorted specialty products such as Muscat, Pione, and Shimizu White Peach are popular as souvenirs.

Fruit jelly

A luxurious jelly that allows you to enjoy seasonal fruits all year round. This is a proud dish that captures the flavor of fruits such as muscat, pione, and white peach. There is a wide variety of different flavors and textures available.

Kibidango

A classic souvenir from Okayama wrapped in honey from fruits such as Muscat, a local specialty. It is a sweet that has a chewy texture and the sweetness of fruit. If you eat it cold, you can enjoy a different taste.

fruit vinegar

Drinkable vinegar made from fresh fruit juice. It has a gentle taste with a mellow sweetness. You can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as breaking it with ice or mixing it with milk.

wine

Okayama Prefecture is dotted with wineries of all sizes, producing attractive wines using the prefecture's special fruits. This masterpiece, with its elegant aroma and flavor, is the perfect souvenir for wine lovers.

local beer

The local beer (low-malt beer) made using Muscat's natural juice and fruits has a distinctive sweet and elegant aroma. It has a light taste with less bitterness, so it is recommended even for people who don't usually drink beer. Would you like to buy the popular fruit beer as a souvenir?

liqueur

A luxurious liqueur made with plenty of Muscat juice from Okayama. In addition to its noble fragrance, it has a sweet and gentle taste, making it especially popular among women. We recommend drinking it chilled and drinking it as is, or on the rocks.