Now in Season: Taste the Best of Okayama's Peaches at Local Markets

We will introduce you to some direct sales outlets in Okayama where peaches are brought directly by producers, near the birthplace of Shimizu white peaches, tourist farms, and more. Enjoy the delicious taste of Okayama summer again this year!

• Table of Contents
• A line forms before the store even opens! Sanyo Aozoraichi Momonosato store (Akaiwa City)
• Ohara Tourist Orchard (Niimi City)
• Want to know more? Learn about Okayama peaches!

A line forms before the store even opens! Sanyo Aozoraichi Momonosato store (Akaiwa City)

Located in Akaiwa City, where fruit cultivation is thriving, this is a producer's direct sales store where farmers ship their produce directly to customers. As the store's name "Peach Village" suggests, there are peach fields surrounding the store.

Located about 10 minutes from the Sanyo Expressway and Sanyo IC, and 20 to 30 minutes from Okayama City center, this direct sales store attracts many customers from outside the city and the Kansai region. It opens at 7am during peach season (July and August), and customers line up before the store even opens, with the peak rush hour being between 7am and 8am, right after opening. Apparently there are days when 1,000 people visit, and traffic control is required even on weekdays.

There are about 100 peach farmers who ship their peaches here. The peach relay, which starts in late June, continues until mid-September, with different varieties being used. The peaches on display in the store include Hanayome, Hikawa Hakuho, Saotome, Kanoiwa, Hakuho, Shimizu Hakuto, Okayama Yume Hakuto, Hakurei, Sungold, Hakuo, and Ogon Peach. The peak season for the popular Shimizu Hakuto and Okayama Yume Hakuto is around late July , but since Akaiwa City grows a variety of peaches, you may be able to find peaches that are in season a little later or rare peaches that you won't find anywhere else.

Don't miss out on the "Defective Peach Boxes." Peaches that are defective, damaged, or overripe are shipped at bargain prices. *"Defective Peach Boxes" cannot be shipped.

Although it may not be suitable as a gift, this is an excellent item for home use or processing.

The official Instagram account also posts updates on the day's shipping status, so be sure to follow them and check it out.

The peach section occupies a large area of the store. The boxes lined up are sold one after another, but when there are only a few left, they send a shipment request to the farmers via group LINE. Deliveries are made at any time during business hours, so there is almost no shortage of stock. The farmers come by with trucks loaded with peaches and the stock is quickly replenished. For this reason, there are many opportunities for customers and farmers to meet face to face at the storefront.

"This store is close to the producers, so we have a lot of fresh, ripe peaches," says Vice President Toda Toda. He is a fruit farmer who grows peaches and grapes himself. At the direct sales store, he speaks directly with customers, and is often asked about seasonal varieties and products that are suitable for shipping. Direct sales stores where you can see the farmers' faces are a must-visit spot where you can not only buy delicious peaches, but also communicate with the farmers.

Store information: Sanyo Aozoraichi Momonosato store

TEL: 086-955-7889

Business hours: July and August: 7:00-16:00, September to June: 8:00-16:00

Closed: New Year's holiday

Parking: 100 regular cars

Sanyo Aozoraichi Momonosato Store Official Instagram

Ohara Tourist Orchard (Niimi City)

Ohara Tourist Orchard is located on a karst plateau at an altitude of 450-500m. Every year from early July to mid-August (around Obon), you can enjoy unlimited time and all-you-can-eat Peach Picking for just the entrance fee (Peach Picking may be canceled on days when there are few ripe peaches. Please contact us in advance before heading out). Once you have borrowed a knife and bucket, you can pick the ripe fruit yourself. You can enjoy the taste of the peaches that are in season to your heart's content under the trees that are full of fruit.

At the foot of the hill where the orchard is located, there is a direct sales shop where you can purchase peaches grown in fields dedicated to shipping. The varieties available include Hakuho, Asama White Peach, Shimizu White Peach, Okayama Yume White Peach, Nakajima White Peach, and Ogon Peach. Nationwide shipping is also available. The store also has great value boxes and small packs, perfect for home use. In addition to seasonal fruits, they also sell fresh locally grown vegetables and souvenirs.

Store Information: Ohara Tourist Orchard

TEL: 0867-74-3202

Peach Picking admission fee: 1,800 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for elementary school students, 900 yen for kindergarteners

*No reservations required for individuals (reservations required for groups of 20 or more)

Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 during the orchard opening period (early July to late November)

Closed: None during this period

Parking: 30 standard-sized cars, 10 buses

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.

Want to know more? Learn about Okayama peaches!

We will introduce all the charms of Okayama peaches, including the history of Peach Picking cultivation in Okayama , the varieties and characteristics, tourist farms where you can pick peaches, and souvenirs and sweets made with peaches.