More than 1,000 orchards across Japan open to the public each autumn for kudamono-gari (fruit picking). The decades-old tradition turns rural prefectures into weekend getaways for city dwellers.
From late summer through December, visitors can wander rows of grapevines, pear trees, persimmon groves and apple orchards. A set entry fee covers picking and eating fruit on the spot.
Here are five fruits worth building a trip around this season.
Budo (Grapes)
Two varieties dominate Japan’s autumn budo (grape) harvest. Kyoho grapes are large and dark purple. Their thick skin peels away in one motion to reveal sweet, jelly-like flesh.
Shine Muscat, a newer and pricier variety, is green and seedless. It’s eaten skin and all, with a crisp bite and a distinct muscat aroma. Many orchards let visitors snip bunches of either straight from the vine and eat as they go. Some even offer all-you-can-eat entry.
Where: Yamanashi & Nagano
Season: Aug – Oct
Nashi (Japanese Pear)
Nashi (Japanese pears) are rounder and crisper than Western pears, with a watery, refreshing bite closer to an apple.
Chiba Prefecture alone grows dozens of varieties. Many farms there sell fruit by weight after picking rather than charging a flat entry fee.
Where: Chiba & Tottori
Season: Aug – Oct
Kaki (Persimmon)
Kaki (persimmons) ripen to a deep orange and come in two main types. Crisp, sweet varieties can be eaten like an apple. Softer astringent ones need drying or ripening first.
Nara and Wakayama rank among the country’s oldest persimmon-growing regions. Some trees there are over 100 years old and still bear fruit.
Where: Nara & Wakayama
Season: Oct – Nov
Ringo (Apples)
Aomori Prefecture grows more ringo (apples) than any other region in Japan. Its orchards are known for large, crisp varieties bred for sweetness.
Nagano makes a closer day trip from Tokyo. Its smaller family-run orchards offer a quieter picking experience.
Where: Aomori & Nagano
Season: Oct – Nov
Mikan (Mandarin Orange)
Mikan (mandarin oranges) are small, seedless and easy to peel by hand. That makes them one of the few fruits enjoyed without a knife or napkin.
Groves facing the coast blanket the hillsides of Shizuoka and Wakayama. Many farms let visitors pick straight from the tree for a flat fee, with no weight limit.
Where: Shizuoka & Wakayama
Season: Oct – Dec
Most orchards require reservations on peak weekends, especially in October. Booking a few days ahead is worth the effort. Entry fees typically range from ¥500 to ¥2,000, depending on the fruit and how much is included.
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