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Toghoku & Nigata Fruit Picking by RV Guide

With the arrival of spring, various fruits reach their peak season one after another across the Tohoku region. Traveling by RV, your “mobile home,” allows you to freely move across Tohoku’s vast lands while fully enjoying seasonal flavors.

From April to July marks the high season for fruit picking, starting with strawberries, followed by cherries and blueberries. The taste of fresh fruit picked directly from trees amid magnificent nature is exceptional. Today, we’ll introduce fruit picking spots in Tohoku and Niigata that you’ll want to visit by RV. We’ll also provide information about each farm’s characteristics and surrounding attractions, so please use this as a reference for your travels.

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Komachino Corporation (Yokote City, Akita Prefecture)

Located in Yokote City in southern Akita Prefecture, “Komachino” takes pride in fruits grown in rich soil known for producing “Akita Komachi” rice, as its name suggests. You can enjoy strawberry picking from late April to mid-June, and cherry picking from mid-June to mid-July.

Recommended Timing: Mid-May after Golden Week is when strawberries reach peak sweetness. Also, late June marks the peak season for “Sato-nishiki” cherry variety, where you can savor its large, sweet-tart flavor.

Parking Information: Spacious free parking available where RVs can park safely. While advance reservations are required, informing them about your RV visit may help secure a larger parking space.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Oyasukyo Hot Spring 40 minutes by car Hot springs along the valley where you can enjoy seasonal scenery from outdoor baths.
Masuda Historic District 15 minutes by car Historic district designated as National Important Traditional Buildings Preservation Area, perfect for exploring the town of storehouses.
Yokote Castle 20 minutes by car Symbol of Yokote City offering panoramic views of Yokote Basin from the castle ruins.

Shirane Grape Garden (Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture)

Shirane Grape Garden” located in Minami Ward, Niigata City, is situated in the Shirane district famous for grape cultivation. You can enjoy strawberry picking from late April to late May, and blueberry picking from July at this popular spot.

Grape picking typically starts from late July

Recommended Timing: Mid-May is when the “Echigo-hime” strawberry variety reaches peak sweetness. From mid-July onward, multiple blueberry varieties reach harvest season sequentially, allowing you to enjoy taste differences between varieties.

Parking Information: Free parking for approximately 50 cars available. For RVs, contacting in advance allows arrangement for parking space at the edge of the farm. The parking area is somewhat narrow, so early arrival is recommended during busy periods.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Iwamuro Hot Spring 25 minutes by car Hot spring resort overlooking Echigo Plain with abundant day-trip bathing facilities.
Niigata City Aquarium Marine Pia Nihonkai 30 minutes by car Aquarium featuring marine life from the Sea of Japan.
Fukushima-gata 20 minutes by car Ramsar Convention registered wetland perfect for bird watching and nature observation.

Osho Fruit Farm (Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture)

Osho Fruit Farm” in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a popular farm known for particularly high-quality cherries in Tendo City, famous as a cherry production area. From early June to early July, you can enjoy varieties like “Sato-nishiki” and “Beni-shuho.”

Recommended Timing: Mid to late June marks the peak season for “Sato-nishiki,” Yamagata’s representative cherry variety. Early July offers later varieties like “Beni-shuho,” so visiting at different times is also recommended.

Parking Information: Free parking for approximately 30 cars available. RVs can park, but crowding during season makes early morning arrival recommended. Mentioning your RV when making phone reservations is advisable.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Tendo Hot Spring 10 minutes by car Hot spring district in Tendo City, also known for shogi piece production. Day-trip bathing available at multiple accommodations.
Shogi Village 15 minutes by car Facility where you can enjoy playing shogi with life-sized shogi pieces actually used in games.
Tendo Highlands 20 minutes by car Highland with spectacular views perfect for hiking and nature walks.

JR Fruit Park Sendai Arahama (Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)

JR Fruit Park Sendai Arahama” located in the Arahama district of Wakabayashi Ward, Sendai City, is a tourist farm born from a land restoration project following the Great East Japan Earthquake. You can enjoy strawberry picking from early May to July.

Recommended Timing: Late May to early June is when “Mouikko,” a Miyagi Prefecture original strawberry variety, reaches peak sweetness.

Parking Information: Extensive free parking available with sufficient space for RVs. The surrounding area has relatively wide roads, making travel smooth even for large vehicles.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium 25 minutes by car Tohoku’s largest aquarium famous for dolphin shows.
Arahama Memorial Monument Walking distance A place visited by many to remember the earthquake, serving as a location to convey earthquake memories.
Sendai City Center 30 minutes by car Enjoy Sendai’s specialty gourmet foods like gyutan (beef tongue) and sasa-kamaboko.

Shiki-no-Sato Strawberry Farm (Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture)

Shiki-no-Sato Strawberry Farm” in Matsukawa-cho, Fukushima City, takes pride in strawberries grown in a nature-rich environment despite being close to the city center. From early April to late June, you can enjoy varieties like “Tochiotome” and “Akihime.”

Recommended Timing: Mid to late May is when strawberries achieve the best balance of sweetness and acidity. The ability to compare multiple varieties is also one of the attractions.

Parking Information: Free parking for approximately 30 cars available. RVs can park, but since the farm entrance area is somewhat narrow, contacting in advance before visiting is recommended. Weekday mornings are relatively less crowded.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Shiki-no-Sato 5 minutes by car Adjacent park facility where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and local specialties.
Takayu Hot Spring 25 minutes by car Famous hot spring dating back to the Edo period, characterized by strongly acidic waters.
Hanamiyama Park 15 minutes by car Beautiful flower spot called “Fukushima’s Shangri-La” during spring.

Berry’s Shien (Sannohe District, Nambu Town, Aomori Prefecture)

Berry’s Shien” located in Nambu Town, Sannohe District, Aomori Prefecture, offers strawberry picking with a focus on organic cultivation. Particularly growing varieties like “Beni-hoppe,” you can enjoy large, sweet strawberries in 40-minute all-you-can-eat sessions. The facility is barrier-free, making it accessible for wheelchair users.

Recommended Timing: Strawberry picking season runs from early April to late June. Golden Week in early May and its vicinity is when strawberries reach peak sweetness and can be enjoyed at their most delicious.

Parking Information: Spacious parking available on the grounds where RVs can park. Surrounding roads are relatively wide, making visits smooth even for large vehicles.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Nambu Town Health Hot Spring Center 15 minutes by car Local popular hot spring facility. The outdoor bath surrounded by nature is particularly popular.
Michi-no-Eki Nambu 10 minutes by car Souvenir spot with abundant local specialties including Aomori apple products and Nambu senbei rice crackers.
Nagawa Cheririn Village 20 minutes by car Nature enjoyment spot perfect for cycling and camping. Ideal for refreshing breaks during RV trips.

Sun Farm Co., Ltd. (Morioka City & Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture)

Sun Farm Co., Ltd., with farms in both Morioka City and Shiwa Town, offers cherry picking from late June and blueberry picking from early July. In addition to all-you-can-eat options, you can also take home picked fruits by weight. The facility is equipped to enjoy fruit picking even on rainy days.

Recommended Timing: Late June to mid-July (cherry picking) and early to late July (blueberry picking) are optimal. Early July is particularly valuable as you can enjoy both cherries and blueberries.

Parking Information: Ample parking space available where large RVs can park. Weekends can get crowded, so making reservations provides peace of mind.

Nearby Attractions:

Tourist Spots Access Spot Information
Tsunagi Hot Spring 15 minutes by car Hot spring resort located lakeside on the outskirts of Morioka City. Many day-trip bathing facilities available, perfect for RV travel rest stops.
Morioka Handicraft Village 20 minutes by car Tourist facility featuring Iwate’s traditional crafts and specialties like Nambu ironware and Nambu senbei.
Koiwai Farm 25 minutes by car Popular spot where you can enjoy farm experiences and gourmet food on vast pastures. Fresh dairy products are also available.

Conclusion

Fruit picking spots in the Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture are destinations that fully bring out the charm of RV travel. From spring to summer, the types of fruits you can enjoy change with the seasons – strawberries, cherries, and blueberries. After enjoying fruit picking at farms, visit local hot springs and tourist spots to savor regional culture and nature.

RV travel’s greatest charm is the freedom to move at your own pace without time constraints. When visiting fruit picking spots, confirm operating hours and reservation requirements in advance, and mention that you’ll be arriving by RV for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

An RV trip through Tohoku and Niigata, savoring seasonal fruits grown in magnificent nature while enjoying the grand scenery, will surely create unforgettable memories.

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