Explore Mie's Hidden Strawberry Oasis! Matsusaka's Strawberries: Crisp, Refreshing Flavors and Sophisticated Aromas
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Matsusaka City boasts extensive strawberry cultivation, making it one of Mie Prefecture's leading producers. Known as a hidden "strawberry haven," the city offers several farms where visitors can enjoy strawberry picking. This article explores the characteristics and varieties of Matsusaka strawberr...
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Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan, where you can enjoy world-class gourmet Matsusaka beef, rich history and culture, and beautiful nature. During the Edo period, Matsusaka was the final post town for pilgrimages to Ise-mairi (a pilgrimage to Japan's highest-ranking shrine). These merchants succeeded in trading Matsusaka cotton in Edo and brought prosperity to Matsusaka.
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Table of Contents
- Introducing popular gourmet food in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture!
- Matsusaka strawberries are the most produced in Mie!
- Types of strawberries produced in Matsusaka City (Mie Prefecture)
- Don't let the deliciousness escape! How to wash and eat strawberries
- A farm where you can experience strawberry picking in Matsusaka City
- Cafe La Rosa: A direct sales store where you can also enjoy parfaits
- If you come to Matsusaka, try some strawberries!
Introducing popular gourmet food in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture!
Located in the heart of Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka City is brimming with historical and natural attractions, along with a wealth of delicious cuisine. This series highlights the culinary treasures of Matsusaka City.
This article focuses on Matsusaka's strawberries. Surprisingly, Matsusaka City ranks first in strawberry production within Mie Prefecture. We'll introduce the characteristics and main varieties of Matsusaka strawberries, as well as farms offering strawberry picking experiences.
Matsusaka strawberries are the most produced in Mie!
Mie Prefecture strawberries are shipped nationwide under the name "Mie strawberries." In fact, Matsusaka City is a hidden "strawberry hotspot" that boasts the highest strawberry production in Mie Prefecture.
A survey conducted in 2021 revealed that there are over 90 strawberry farms in Matsusaka City, cultivating strawberries on a total of 11 hectares of farmland. This is roughly a quarter of the strawberry greenhouses in the entire Mie Prefecture.
Strawberry research is also active in the prefecture, and there are many varieties that are original to the prefecture, such as "Kaorino" and "Tomoyuki." There is a farm in the city where you can enjoy strawberry picking, and it is crowded with many visitors during the season.
Types of strawberries produced in Matsusaka City (Mie Prefecture)
Akihime
"Akihime" has a bright red color and is large and soft. Strawberries are usually long and conical, but Akihime is characterized by its vertical shape. It is a variety that has a mild acidity and a refreshing sweetness, so it is easy to eat even for those who don't like sour things.
Kaorino
"Kaorino" is a strawberry variety developed in Mie Prefecture. The fruit is large, with pure white flesh all the way to the center. It has a firm texture, but is sweet with a mild sourness. It also contains a lot of aromatic compounds, giving it a sweet and fresh scent that is a real attraction.
Red cheeks
"Benihoppe" is a cross between "Akihime" and "Sachinoka". The skin is shiny and has a vibrant red color. It has a strong sweetness and sourness, giving it a sweet and sour taste that is characteristic of strawberries.
Tomoyuki
"Tomoyuki" is also a strawberry variety that is original to Mie Prefecture and was registered in 2009. It is a great variety with large fruit, well-balanced sugar content, and high yields! Another advantage is that the flesh is firm and keeps well.
Don't let the deliciousness escape! How to wash and eat strawberries
It is recommended to wash strawberries with the stems attached "right before eating" and eat them with a quick rinse. Strawberries contain a lot of water-soluble nutrients such as vitamin C and pectin, so be careful not to wash them with water after removing the stems or soaking them in water for a long time, as these will be washed away.
Strawberries have the characteristic of ripening from the tip. Therefore, by eating them from the stem, you can enjoy the sweetness of the strawberry until the very end. (※1,2)
A farm where you can experience strawberry picking in Matsusaka City
Happy Farm
Happy Farm is the first tourist farm to open in Mie Prefecture. The strawberries are grown using a method that does not use soil, so you can enjoy picking strawberries while standing without getting your shoes dirty. The farm is easily accessible, just 600m from Matsusaka Interchange, and has a large parking lot that can accommodate 100 cars.
Business hours
January to May
Fee
[Strawberry Picking Price List (Regular Plan)] Adults (junior high school students and above): 1,200 to 2,200 yen Children (elementary school students): 1,000 to 1,800 yen Infants (3 years and above): 700 to 1,500 yen *Prices vary depending on the season. Also, the time limit is 45 minutes until the end of March. (From April onwards, there is no time limit.) *In addition to the regular plan, there is also a premium plan that allows you to compare the taste of up to 7 varieties.
Strawberry Shop Kurobee
"Strawberry Shop Kurobee" has won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. At this strawberry farm in Higashikurobe Town, you can enjoy the strawberries that the farm owner has lovingly cultivated. The strawberry house is barrier-free with no steps and wide passageways, so you can enjoy strawberry picking even if you are in a wheelchair or with a stroller.
Business hours
January to mid-May
Fee
[Strawberry Picking] Adults: 1,700 to 2,000 yen Children (elementary school students): 1,400 to 1,700 yen Infants (ages 3 and up): 1,100 to 1,400 yen *Prices vary depending on the season *Full hour rotation system
Cafe La Rosa: A direct sales store where you can also enjoy parfaits
Cafe La Rosa is a place where you can enjoy parfaits made with strawberries picked right from the farm. Not only are they delicious, but the parfaits topped with plenty of strawberries are also very impressive! This is a popular spot where you can buy strawberries while eating your parfait.
Business hours
Beginning of December to the end of June *This may vary depending on the quality of the strawberries. Please contact us for details.
If you come to Matsusaka, try some strawberries!
Matsusaka City is the number one producer of strawberries in Mie Prefecture! There is a strawberry picking experience farm in the city where you can taste fresh strawberries on the spot. If you visit Matsusaka City, be sure to add strawberry picking to your plans.
Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan, where you can enjoy world-class gourmet Matsusaka beef, rich history and culture, and beautiful nature. During the Edo period, Matsusaka was the final post town for pilgrimages to Ise-mairi (a pilgrimage to Japan's highest-ranking shrine). These merchants succeeded in trading Matsusaka cotton in Edo and brought prosperity to Matsusaka.
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