Just an hour by Shinkansen from Osaka or Kyoto ! Enjoy Peach Picking and Grape Picking picking in the fruit kingdom of Okayama

• 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

Tomomien

843 Oya, Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture 709-0817

We sell specialty fruits from Okayama. Additionally, from summer to fall, a tourist farm is open where you can pick peaches and grapes. Peach picking: Late June to August Pione hunting: Mid-August to early September Muscat hunting: Early September to early October Shine Muscat Hunting: Early September to early October *There is also a tasting only plan.

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.

Yoshii Farm

1077 Nibori Higashi, Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture 701-2434

This is an experience-based tourist farm located in a location blessed with nature. It mainly consists of a peach garden and a strawberry house, and you can enjoy seasonal fruit picking and all-you-can-eat meals. There are about 80 peach trees, mainly white peach varieties, and there are 13 varieties ranging from early to late, so you can enjoy them for a long time. The popular strawberry varieties are Akihime, Benihoppe, and Sagahonoka. Since it is done inside a greenhouse, it is warm, and the raised cultivation allows you to pick strawberries while standing. We also have condensed milk service and a house that accommodates wheelchair users.

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.

Ohara Tourist Orchard

1204 Kusama, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture 719-2641

[All you can eat peaches, pears, and apples for just the admission fee! ] This is an orchard located on a semi-high karst plateau at an altitude of 450-500m. The temperature difference between day and night, unique to the Kusama Plateau, allows for the cultivation of delicious fruit. From early July to late November, you can enjoy picking peaches, pears, and apples in order, and for just the admission fee, you can eat all the fruits in the park for an unlimited time. There is also a direct sales office, where you can purchase peaches and have them shipped nationwide.

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.

Kubo Farm

2747-1 Mitsushitori, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 709-213...

This farm offers a variety of harvest experiences, including grape picking (Muscat of Alexandria picking, New Pione picking, Berry A picking), chestnut picking, sweet potato digging, shiitake mushroom picking, and more. You can enjoy grape picking with unlimited time and all-you-can-eat (you can take home what you can't eat from the first bunch). The cafe offers popular menu items such as warm udon, 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."

Ishihara Orchard

893-6 Sairyuji, Higashi Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 704-810...

This is a historic orchard that has been growing fruit for 170 years. During the harvest season, there are a wide variety of grapes such as ``New Pione'', ``Shine Muscat'', and ``Goldfinger'', the large and mellow ``Atago pear'', the fragrant and mellow ``Yari pear'', and ``Taiaki persimmon''. You can experience harvesting.

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.

Mimasaka Farm

701-2605 Okayama Prefecture, Mimasaka City , Oku 585-1

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 experience using fruits from the farm itself. The farm shop sells processed foods such as puddings, jams, 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.

Check access to Okayama