Autumn Fruits Picking by RV at South Kanto

🍎 What You’ll Learn from This Article

• 🚙 Complete camping car fruit picking guide for Tokyo metro area (4 prefectures)
• 🍇 15+ premium farms: grapes, pears, apples, chestnuts, kiwi & sweet potatoes
• 📍 RV-friendly locations within 2 hours from Tokyo Station
• 🏔️ Spectacular views: Mt. Fuji, Chichibu mountains & Sagami Bay coastline
• 🍳 Expert harvesting techniques & camping car cooking methods
• ♨️ Hot springs, scenic drives & local specialties near Tokyo
• ⚠️ Urban area traffic tips, parking solutions & booking essentials

💡 View Frequently Asked Questions

Complete Guide to Autumn Fruit Picking by Camping Car～Enjoying Harvest Experiences Near Tokyo～

As the cool autumn breeze sets in, many people feel drawn to camping car adventures. Fruit picking is the perfect activity to fully experience the unique charm that only camping cars can offer.

The greatest advantage of going fruit picking with a camping car is the ability to store freshly harvested fruits and vegetables inside the vehicle and enjoy them on the spot. While regular travel might present challenges with transporting large quantities of harvest, camping cars provide peace of mind with refrigerators and spacious storage areas. Moreover, after getting tired at the farm, you can relax comfortably inside the vehicle, and there’s space for children to change out of dirty clothes, making it especially valuable for families.

This time, we’ll introduce carefully selected, highly reliable fruit picking spots accessible by camping car from Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa, and Yamanashi prefectures near Tokyo. Let’s explore the unique charm of each region, nearby attractions, and harvesting tips in detail.

※All photos used in this article are for illustration purposes only and have no relation to the facilities mentioned.

Chiba Prefecture: Excellent Access from City Center, Easy Harvest Experience

Charm of Matsudo-Kamagaya Area

Chiba Prefecture is close to central Tokyo, making it a beginner-friendly area for camping car users. The areas around Matsudo City and Kamagaya City offer grape and pear picking, as well as rare kiwi fruit harvesting.

Kato Grape Farm (Matsudo City) From early August to late September, enjoy picking 6 varieties of grapes including Kyoho and Shine Muscat, plus rare kiwi fruit harvesting from late October. Camping car parking is available with ample parking space. Please contact directly for detailed pricing and reservations.

Ishii Teru Farm (Kamagaya City) A farm offering all-you-can-eat organic grapes and pears. Opens from late August with a 90-minute all-you-can-eat system. Please contact in advance for pricing and operating status.

Nearby Attractions

• Roadside Station Shonan: Abundant fresh local vegetables and specialties
• Shimizu Park: A peaceful place to enjoy seasonal flowers and nature
• Noda City Sekiyado Castle Museum: Experience history and culture

Saitama Prefecture: Mountain Village Bounty in Chichibu’s Great Nature

Chichibu-Nagatoro Mountain Village Experience

Saitama’s Chichibu area offers grape picking in excellent locations surrounded by beautiful mountains. Camping cars can safely navigate mountain roads and enable overnight stays in pristine nature.

Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm (Nagatoro Town) A comprehensive leisure farm offering grape picking from mid-September to late October. Besides grape picking, enjoy trout catching and udon/soba noodle making experiences—perfect for all-day enjoyment. Camping car parking available. Please contact directly for pricing details.

Hirano Tourist Farm (Ageo City) Experience rare kiwi fruit picking and sweet potato digging from October to November. Kiwi picking is a precious experience, rare in the Kanto region, with pay-by-weight pricing. Please contact in advance for detailed pricing and operating status.

Nearby Attractions

• Roadside Station Chichibu: Chichibu specialties and hot springs
• Nagatoro River Rafting: Enjoy beautiful Arakawa River valley scenery
• Chichibu Hot Springs: Natural hot springs to heal post-harvest fatigue

Kanagawa Prefecture: Diverse Flavors and Scenery from Shonan to Hakone

Diversity of Sagamihara-Shonan Area

Kanagawa Prefecture offers the blessed opportunity to enjoy both sea and mountains, allowing simultaneous enjoyment of fruit picking and sightseeing. Camping cars enable efficient touring of multiple areas.

Fujino Garden Land (Sagamihara City) A tourist farm network of over 30 farmers in former Fujino Town, offering chestnut picking from early September to late October and sweet potato digging from early September to mid-November. BBQ facilities are also available, welcoming camping car users. Please contact directly for detailed pricing and access information.

Yugawara Mandarin Orange Picking (Yugawara Town) Yugawara’s mandarin picking runs from October 11 to December 17, offering a special hot spring resort experience. After enjoying all-you-can-eat mandarins, heal your fatigue in hot springs. Contact Yugawara Town Tourism Association for pricing and reservations.

Nearby Attractions

• Lake Ashi, Hakone: Beautiful lakeside scenery and hot springs
• Roadside Station Yamakita: Tanzawa nature and local gourmet
• Yugawara Hot Spring District: Historic hot spring healing experience

Yamanashi Prefecture: Exquisite Sweetness in the Fruit Kingdom

Kofu Basin Orchard Tour

Yamanashi Prefecture is a treasure trove of high-quality fruits worthy of the “Fruit Kingdom” name. Camping cars allow efficient touring of multiple orchards while enjoying beautiful Kofu Basin scenery.

Nakagomi Farm (Minami-Alps City) A large-scale farm offering harvest experiences for diverse fruits: peaches, cherries, grapes, pears, apples, and persimmons. Shine Muscat picking runs from September to late October, showcasing Yamanashi’s high-quality taste. Camping car visits are welcome. Please check the official website or contact directly for detailed pricing and reservations.

Miharashi no Senkaen (Koshu City) An orchard offering grape and apple picking with spectacular Kofu Basin views. Apple picking features diverse varieties, with fruits grown in Yamanashi’s pure mountain air offering exceptional taste. Please contact directly for pricing and operating hours.

Nearby Attractions

• Roadside Station Narusawa: Stunning Mount Fuji views and local specialties
• Isawa Hot Springs: Enjoy fruits and hot springs together
• Shosenkyo Gorge: Experience Japan’s premier valley beauty

Harvesting Tips and Enjoyment Methods

Fruit-Specific Harvesting Points

Grapes Choose clusters with uniformly dark-colored grapes with white bloom (powder) on the surface indicating freshness. Since grapes ripen from the top of the cluster first, select those with full coloring throughout. Use scissors when harvesting, leaving about 3cm of stem.

Pears Select pears with firmness and substantial weight, indicating sweet and juicy fruit. Red pears are ready when they turn from light brown to reddish, while green pears are perfect when they develop yellow tints.

Chestnuts Choose chestnuts with glossy outer shells and deep brown color indicating freshness. When removing from spiny husks, gloves are essential—select heavy ones with well-filled nuts.

Kiwi Fruit Select fruits with appropriate firmness and unblemished surfaces. After harvesting, ripen at room temperature until they yield slightly to finger pressure—then they’re ready to eat.

Mandarin Oranges Choose fruits with vibrant skin color and no gaps between the stem and fruit. Those feeling heavy when held lightly indicate abundant juice content.

Transport and Storage Methods

Utilize your camping car’s refrigerator to store harvested fruits in optimal condition.

• Grapes, Pears, Apples: Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator’s vegetable compartment
• Chestnuts: Eat as soon as possible or store in water in the refrigerator
• Kiwi Fruit: Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate
• Mandarin Oranges: Store at room temperature in well-ventilated, cool areas

Simple Cooking Ideas

Use your camping car’s cooking facilities to enjoy harvested fruits even more deliciously.

• Baked Apples: Core apples and stuff with butter and sugar, then bake
• Chestnut Rice: Easily create autumn flavors with a rice cooker
• Fruit Salad: Mix multiple harvested fruits
• Grape Jam: Simmer leftover grapes for preserved food

Manners and Precautions

Farm Etiquette

• Reservations and Rule Confirmation: Check operating status and usage rules in advance
• Harvest in Designated Areas: Follow farm staff instructions
• Moderate Sampling: Maintain appropriate quantities and avoid waste
• Take Trash with You: Essential for environmental protection
• Confirm Parking Areas: Verify camping car parking availability in advance

Safety Measures

• Clothing: Wear clothes suitable for getting dirty, boots, and work gloves
• Heat Stroke Prevention: Don’t forget hats and hydration
• Child Safety: Keep children in sight at all times in the farm
• Allergy Response: Declare food allergies in advance

Camping Car-Specific Precautions

• Vehicle Size Confirmation: Verify farm parking accommodates camping cars
• Harvest Loading: Consider weight distribution when loading
• Refrigeration Utilization: Maintain proper temperature for harvest freshness

🍂 Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about camping car fruit picking near Tokyo

🚙 Which prefectures offer the best RV-accessible fruit farms near Tokyo?

Top RV-friendly regions within 2 hours of Tokyo: Chiba (Kato Grape Farm with spacious parking, Ishii Teru Farm), Yamanashi (Nakagomi Farm with multi-fruit options, Miharashi Sen-kaen with Mt. Fuji views), Saitama (Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm with comprehensive facilities), and Kanagawa (Fujino Garden Land with 30+ member farms). Best access: Yamanashi leads for premium fruit quality, while Chiba offers convenience for beginners. Most farms provide advance RV parking reservations.

🍇 What unique fruits can I harvest in each prefecture around Tokyo?

Regional fruit specialties: Yamanashi – Premium Shine Muscat grapes, high-altitude apples, world-class pears, Chiba – Rare kiwi picking (October-November), organic grapes, Saitama – Mountain-grown grapes in Chichibu, rare kiwi farms, Kanagawa – Seaside citrus (Yugawara mandarins), chestnut picking with ocean views. Peak seasons: August-September grapes, September-October chestnuts/apples, October-December kiwi/citrus. Tokyo area offers surprising fruit diversity thanks to varied microclimates from mountains to coast.

📋 How should I navigate Tokyo area traffic with an RV for fruit picking?

Strategic route planning: Early departure (6-7 AM) avoids rush hour traffic, Expressway usage – Chuo Expressway to Yamanashi (90 minutes), Ken-O Expressway for Saitama (60 minutes). Best days: Weekdays significantly less crowded than weekends. GPS settings: Use truck/RV navigation mode to avoid low bridges and narrow roads. Backup routes: Always plan alternative routes for construction delays. Parking strategy: Call farms 24-48 hours ahead to confirm RV parking availability and get specific directions to large vehicle areas.

🍳 What are the best camping car recipes for Tokyo area harvest?

Urban-friendly RV cooking: Baked apples (core & stuff with butter/sugar, oven 30 min), Kiwi smoothies (blend with yogurt for refreshing drink), Grape jam (simmer excess grapes for preservation), Chestnut rice (pressure cooker method for quick results), Fresh fruit parfait (layer with granola). Storage optimization: Grapes/pears last 1-2 weeks refrigerated, chestnuts freeze well for 6 months, kiwis ripen at room temperature then refrigerate. Space-saving tip: Prep ingredients at farms, finish cooking at roadside stations or RV parks.

🏔️ What scenic attractions can I combine with fruit picking near Tokyo?

Perfect combinations: Yamanashi – Mt. Fuji views + premium fruit farms, Shosenkyo Gorge + apple orchards, Saitama – Chichibu mountains + grape picking, Nagatoro river rafting + scenic drives, Kanagawa – Hakone hot springs + chestnut farms, Sagami Bay coastline + citrus groves, Chiba – Traditional temples + organic farms. Hot spring highlights: Ishiwa Onsen (Yamanashi), Chichibu Onsen (Saitama), Yugawara Onsen (Kanagawa). Unique experiences: Lake Ashi cruise + fruit picking combo, traditional craft workshops in mountain villages.

⚠️ What are the key safety and practical considerations for Tokyo area RV trips?

Urban RV safety essentials: Size restrictions – Many Tokyo area roads have 2.5m height limits, Parking challenges – Book farm parking in advance, use michi-no-eki (roadside stations) for overnight stays, Traffic complexity – Avoid 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM rush hours, Insurance – Ensure RV coverage for urban driving. Emergency preparedness: Download offline maps, carry emergency contact lists in Japanese, know nearest hospitals. Cultural considerations: Many farms prefer advance booking, remove shoes in some facilities, follow quiet hours at camping areas. Weather: Autumn typhoon season requires flexible schedules.

Conclusion: Special Autumn Moments with Camping Car

Camping car fruit picking creates special travel memories beyond simple harvest experiences. The luxury of free movement and complete facilities allows you to taste freshly picked fruits on the spot, rest comfortably inside the vehicle when tired, and travel to the next destination while enjoying beautiful scenery—such luxurious time usage is uniquely possible with camping cars.

Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables can be transformed into various dishes using camping car cooking facilities during your journey. Chestnut rice and baked apples made together with family and friends become special experiences impossible in everyday life.

The diverse fruit picking experiences offered by each prefecture near Tokyo have their unique charms. Chiba’s accessibility, Saitama’s natural beauty, Kanagawa’s diversity, Yamanashi’s high quality—all are wonderfully incomparable. With a camping car, you can experience multiple attractions in a single trip.

The autumn fruit picking season extends from August to December, offering long-term enjoyment. Please fully savor nature’s bounty and the beautiful season together with your camping car—the ultimate travel companion. It will surely become an unforgettable autumn memory.

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