Okayama , which can be reached from Osaka or Kyoto in about an hour by Shinkansen, is one of Japan's leading areas for delicious fruit. In this article, we'll introduce Peach Picking and Grape Picking, which are in season from July to October.
2024.07.18-
Table of contents
- Why Okayama Fruits are Delicious
- July and August: 3 spots for Peach Picking
- August and September are the best months to visit: Three spots for Grape Picking
- Access to Okayama is approximately 1 hour by Shinkansen from Osaka or Kyoto .
Why Okayama Fruits are Delicious
Warm climate
Okayama Prefecture is geographically located with the Chugoku Mountains to the north and the Seto Naikai and Shikoku Mountains to the south. Due to this geographical feature, the summer and winter monsoons bring large amounts of rain and snow as they cross these mountains before blowing into Okayama Prefecture, resulting in little rain or snow throughout the year, warm temperatures, and long hours of sunshine. In Okayama City, temperatures range from 2°C to 32°C throughout the year, but rarely drop below -1°C or exceed 35°C. This warm climate is ideal for growing fruit, especially peaches and grapes.
History of fruit growing
Okayama's fruit-growing history can be traced back to the Meiji era. The introduction of Shanghai and Tianjin peach varieties from China in 1875 marked the start of full-scale peach cultivation. Since then, thanks to the warm climate suited to peach cultivation and the efforts of dedicated pioneers, improvements and development have continued, resulting in the creation of over 30 varieties of peaches. In particular, the "white peach," which was born in Okayama in 1901, is a variety that is the root of Japanese peaches, and its soft flesh, distinctive peach fragrance, and overflowing sweet juice make it taste different from any peach that had come before.
For these reasons, Okayama's fruits are widely known for their deliciousness. The warm climate and long history of fruit cultivation are what support the deliciousness of Okayama's fruits.
For more information on peaches and grapes, please see the following articles:
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July and August: 3 spots for Peach Picking
TOMOMIEN
This is a spot where you can enjoy picking both peaches and grapes.
Peach Picking: late June to August
Pione picking: mid-August to early September
Muscat picking: Early September to early October
Shine Muscat picking: Early September to early October
Yoshii Farm
This is an experiential tourist farm located in a place blessed with nature. It mainly consists of a peach orchard and strawberry greenhouse, where you can enjoy seasonal fruit picking and all-you-can-eat. There are about 80 peach trees, mainly of the white peach variety, and 13 varieties ranging from early to late, so you can enjoy them for a long period of time.
Ohara Tourist Orchard
From early July to late November, you can enjoy picking peaches, pears, and apples, respectively, and for the entrance fee you can eat as much fruit as you want in the garden for an unlimited amount of time.
August and September are the best months to visit: Three spots for Grape Picking
Kubo Farm
This farm offers a variety of harvesting experiences, including Grape Picking(Muscat of Alexandria, New Pione, and Berry A), chestnut gathering, sweet potato digging, and shiitake mushroom picking. Grape Picking is available for unlimited time and all-you-can-eat (you can take home any grapes you don't finish from the first bunch). The cafe offers a selection of classic popular dishes such as hot udon noodles, fried chicken, and chicken nanban.
Ishihara Orchard
This historic orchard has been cultivating fruit for 170 years. During harvest season, you can experience picking a Toyotomi variety of grapes, such as "New Pione," "Shine Muscat," and "Goldfinger," as well as the large, mellow "Atago pear," the richly fragrant "Yari pear," and "Taiaki persimmon."
Mimasaka Farm
This tourist farm offers strawberry picking from winter to spring and Grape Picking from summer to autumn. In addition to enjoying soft serve ice cream topped with strawberries and grapes, you can also try making fruit from the farm itself. The farm shop sells processed foods such as pudding, jam, and fresh cream daifuku, as well as freshly picked fruits and vegetables.
Access to Okayama is approximately 1 hour by Shinkansen from Osaka or Kyoto .
Okayama is located in an area with good access to both the Kansai and Kyushu areas. It can be reached by Shinkansen in about an hour from Osaka or Kyoto, about 40 minutes from Hiroshima, and about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Hakata Station.
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