Autumn Activities In Japan: Pick Your Own Produce

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite activities in the fall is hunting around farms to pick your produce while looking at the fall foliage. There’s something so fun around finding the perfect piece of fruit or vegetables to take home and eat later during the best season of the year. It adds personalization to any meal or snack that includes your picked produce.

In Japan, you’ll find different produce available throughout the year. However, it is even more popular in the fall. This is truly one of the autumn activities in Japan not to miss! Below you’ll find information on some of the in-season picks.

1.    Sweet Potato Digging

Get your (gloved) hands dirty by digging for sweet potatoes at Japanese farms. This activity is one most often participated in by families or children. This highly attended activity occurs from October to November of each year. You’ll likely be expected to bring your digging supplies like gloves and shovels – arrive prepared so you don’t leave empty-handed.

Le Soleil Hill Yokosuka

To pick your sweet potatoes, head to Le Soleil Hill Yokosuka. Various fruits and vegetables are available during each season to pick in the greenhouses. This location also includes a train, petting zoo, go-carts, and much more. If you’re interested in spending a full day out – this is the spot for families.

SHO Farm

If you’re not looking to pick your produce, Sho Farm is an excellent alternative. This market offers seasonal produce for purchase through their market. You can opt for a vegetable box subscription that can be delivered or picked up on-site. Everything is organic and chemical-free here.

2.    Mikan You-Pick

For those not familiar with Mikan, it’s a fruit in the citrus family on the sweeter side. They are similar to tangerines in that they are easier to peel than oranges. However, Mikans are technically oranges. Here’s where you can pick your own!

Tsukuihama Tourist Farm

The Mikan fruit is available from late October to November (like sweet potatoes). You’ll find a vast area to pick these oranges, aka one of the most delicious Japanese foods. Garden sheers and a basket are provided at this location, making it easy to pull the desired amount from the trees. Once you have collected the number you want, take your basket to the weigh station and pay before leaving. This farm is easily accessible by train and a bus provided by the farm at the Tsukuihama station.

3.    Mushroom Harvesting

Many people harvest mushrooms in Japan in the local forests. However, this requires particular knowledge of which mushrooms can and cannot be consumed. There is information available to aid you in this choice. However, it can still be tricky to recognize the difference. Opt for a mushroom farm for a safer experience.

Uchinuma Mushroom Park

Mushrooms can be harvested throughout this park, where this fungus is specifically grown on tree logs. The idea behind this location is that each mushroom is grown as naturally as possible to preserve the authentic taste. Shiitake mushrooms are the only variety that can be picked here – they’re available every autumn and spring.

4.  Kiwi Picking

Mother Farm, Chiba 

At Mother farm, the whole family can enjoy numerous activities, experience horse riding, feed alpacas and sheep, as well as freshly picked fruits and flowers. Enjoy harvesting your fruits and veggies this fall while Japan!!!

Kiwi Fruit Country Japan  キウイフルーツカントリーJapan

Over 80 different varieties of kiwifruit gathered from all around the world being cultivated at this farm, making it the largest kiwifruit farm in all of Japan. The shapes  of these kiwi vary from egg to sausage shape, and with flesh in yellows, greens, and even reds, there is no time limit. So take your time and enjoy!

Buisiness Information

5. Apple Picking

Although we haven’t done any able picking in Japan yet, here’s some of the places on my list.

Maruhiro Farm

Maruhiro is known for growing delicious apples in the largest field (about 4 hectares) in the Minakami /Numata area.
There are more than 10 fields in total, some of which are dedicated to apple picking.

Buisiness Information

Takahashi Orchard

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