Fruit picking is one of the easiest activities to add to a Japan itinerary and one of the most popular with family groups and with clients from Asian source markets. Japanese farms grow fruit to a very high standard, many run all-you-can-eat picking sessions, and the season changes the fruit from month to month. The planning point is simple: the fruit decides the date, so the activity has to be matched to the season rather than dropped into any itinerary.
What is in season when
- Strawberries, roughly January to May. Grown in greenhouses, often on raised beds at waist height, which makes them easy for children and seniors. The main picking season for many visitors.
- Cherries, roughly June to early July. A short season, with Yamagata the best-known growing area.
- Peaches, roughly July to August. Yamanashi, Fukushima and Okayama are well-known growing areas.
- Grapes, roughly August to October. Yamanashi is the centre, and grape picking pairs naturally with a winery visit. See our Yamanashi wine country guide.
- Apples, roughly September to November. Aomori and Nagano are the main growing areas.
- Mandarins, roughly October to December. In warmer areas such as Shizuoka and Wakayama.
Exact dates vary by farm, by variety and by year, and a warm or late season can move them by weeks. We confirm with the farm for each group's dates.
How a session works
- Time-limited, all-you-can-eat. The common format is a set time in the greenhouse or orchard, often thirty to sixty minutes, eating as much as you like. Taking fruit home is usually sold separately by weight.
- Booking is needed for groups. Farms welcome groups but need to know numbers in advance, because the ripe fruit on any day is limited.
- Weather and ripeness decide. Farms can close a session at short notice if the fruit is not ready or has been picked out. A backup activity nearby is part of the plan.
- Facilities are simple. Farms are working places. Toilets, shade and coach parking vary, and we check them before booking.
Who it suits
Fruit picking sells well to families, to multigenerational groups and to clients from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, for whom Japanese fruit has a strong reputation. It also works as a relaxed half-day for school groups. Our Taiwan and Hong Kong market guide, guide to family tours and farm stays guide cover the wider programme.
FAQ
When is strawberry picking season in Japan? Roughly from January to May, in greenhouses. Exact dates depend on the farm and the year.
Can groups go fruit picking in Japan? Yes. Farms welcome groups but need to know numbers in advance, and sessions can close if the fruit is not ready, so a backup plan is sensible.
Where is the best fruit picking in Japan? It depends on the fruit: Yamanashi for grapes and peaches, Yamagata for cherries, Aomori and Nagano for apples, and many areas for greenhouse strawberries.
Want fruit picking matched to your group's dates? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
