Many countries have a range of specialty fruits, and one of them is Japan. Fruits are a huge affair in Japan, where they gained a reputation for being delicious (and sometimes pricey). Think of fruits in Japan, and many people would envision the auction prices of melons from Hokkaido, or the astronomical price of the famous square watermelons.
Japan has four seasons, so the fruits in the country are diverse. Fruits that thrive in colder climates, such as strawberries, are best enjoyed during cooler seasons, whereas those requiring warmer temperatures are harvested during warmer times of the year, such as peaches.
Fruits play a special role in Japanese society. Fruits are often regarded as gifts for special occasions, and they would pay a premium to get the best quality fruits for their honoured recipients. Also, fruits are carefully chosen for making Western and Japanese desserts, and only the finest fruits are chosen to make Japanese sweets (和菓子 wagashi).
Fruits can be found almost anywhere throughout Japan, and most fruits can be found throughout the year. However, it takes a special formula of fertile soil, temperate climates―balmy days with cool nights are ideal for most fruits to grow in Japan―clean air and water, and some ingenuity (and lots of hard work) by farmers will result in the best fruits. In particular, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) and Nagano Prefecture (長野県) have perhaps some of the best in the country, which include apples, pears, cherries, and grapes.
Because of the geographic location and unique terrains, Tohoku and Nagano enjoy the best of the four seasons and have optimal conditions for growing different fruits. Not only do the locals enjoy amazing fruits throughout the year, but people from all over the world flock here to enjoy the fruits too. For this article, I will elaborate on why Eastern Japan is arguably the best region for fruits, and learn about what each prefecture can offer.
Nagano Prefecture: Apples and grapes galore
Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is known for its mountainous terrain and relatively cold climate, making its soil fertile and ideal for growing fruits. Fruits that require a temperate climate thrive on the soils of Nagano, some of which include grapes, apples, and peaches.
Grapes are a pride and joy of Nagano Prefecture. The prefecture is known as one of the top producers of grapes in Japan, with sprawling grape vineyards stretching the vast lands of the mountainous region. Nagano is famous for producing certain kinds of grapes, such as the Shine Muscat and Nagano Purple (ナガノパープル).
Shine Muscat are bright-green grapes known for their crunchy bite at the surface to grape candy-flavoured sweetness. Nagano Purple are dark-purple grapes modified from its famous counterpart Kyoho. They are seedless, and they have crunchy skin with juicy flesh with mild acidity. Both are highly coveted―a box of such grapes can easily cost more than a hundred dollars outside Japan―and they are often used as special gifts for honoured guests such as VIPs and clients. As grapes need cooler climates to grow, they are best enjoyed from mid-August to mid-October.
Nagano Prefecture is also known for their apples, perhaps just as famous as its grapes. As the second top producer of apples in Japan, second only to Aomori Prefecture, Nagano can grow amazing apples because of its differential temperatures: warm days coupled with cool nights. The variety of apples grown is endless: some include Sun Fuji, Akibae, and Orin, and local varieties include Shinano Sweet and Shinano Gold.
Apples also need not be enjoyed in their fruit form. They are also extensively used in making desserts and sweets, and Nagano has plenty of them everywhere for sale. They are used in pastries, custards, juices, wines, ice creams, and so much more. A good place to find apple-themed souvenirs is JR Nagano Station (JR長野駅 Nagano-eki), which is conveniently right in the heart of the capital city.
Yamagata Prefecture: Cherries abound
Yamagata Prefecture (山形県) shares many similarities with Nagano: mountainous region, plenty of wonderful hot springs, great sceneries… and amazing fruits too! The prefecture is colloquially known as “Fruit Kingdom”, and the reason for this is obvious: the list of fruits grown here is endless! Peaches (もも momo), melons (メロン meron), watermelons (すいか suika) in the summer; apples (りんご ringo), and persimmons (柿 kaki) in the autumn, are just some that are grown in the region.
But if there is one fruit that essentially defines Yamagata, it is cherries (さくらんぼ sakuranbo). Cherries form part of the Yamagata identity, and for a good reason: the prefecture is the top producer of cherries in Japan, providing up to 70 percent in the whole country.
Cherries were first cultivated in Yamagata as far back as during the Meiji Period (1868–1912) and were introduced originally from Germany. When it was first cultivated, it would go very quickly and thus could not be harvested well. Then came Sato Eisuke (佐藤栄助), a farmer from Higashine City (東根市) who tried crossbreeding two types of cherries: Tobaz (cherries that are sweet but with short shelf life) and Napoleon (very sour cherries but with long shelf life). The result is the Sato Nishiki, the type of cherries that eventually became the most famous in Yamagata, after 16 years of experimentation.
Sato Nishiki has since been recognised as the “King of Cherries”, becoming the most reputable type in the region. As it is best grown in warmer climates, the cherries are in season from June to July.
Yamagata is also known for pears, and not just pears, but La France pears. The pears were originally introduced from Europe, but have since defined the prefecture. Yamagata produces almost 80 percent of all the La France pears in Japan. La France pears are famous for their melt-in-your-mouth texture, superior sweetness, and mellow scent. The pears are even known as “Queen of Fruits”, and are highly coveted as special gifts. They are usually in season from the end of August to end-November.
Aomori Prefecture: Kingdom of apples
For Aomori Prefecture (青森県), it becomes almost natural that the first thing to come to mind is apples. The reason is simple: Aomori is the top producer of apples for the whole of Japan, and the fruit has become a strong identity for the prefecture.
As Aomori is the northernmost prefecture of the Tohoku Region, its climate is relatively temperate, making it perfect for apples to thrive. The prefecture cultivates a wide variety of apples, including Jonagold and Tsugaru. It dominates more than half of the apple market in Japan, delivering delicious apples across the nation all year round. Apples are in season from September to December, when the cool climate is optimal for their growth.
The story of Kimura Akinori has been adapted into a film entitled Kiseki no Ringo. (Video credit: YouTube Movies)
There’s a sentimental story behind the success of apples in Aomori. It all started with Kimura Akinori (木村秋則), a local apple farmer from Hirosaki City (弘前市) in Aomori. He soon recognised the need to restrict himself from using pesticides and chemical fertilisers from his farms due to his wife’s severe allergic reaction to them. However, he realised over the years that it caused his farms to be infested with pests and diseases.
On the verge of taking his own life from depression over his failed crops, he researched topics such as native insects to look for ways to save his crops. The answer came in the form of diluted vinegar and weeds to address the problem of pests and fertilisation. Eventually, beautiful apples begin to appear on his land, saving his crops and inevitably his own life. Soon, the farmers learn about his findings, applying and refining them to grow apples that flourish in Aomori. Mr. Kimura’s life story has since been adapted into a film entitled Kiseki no Ringo (奇跡のリンゴ), roughly translated as “Miracle Apples.”
Apples can be bought in Aomori at private farms or roadside stations, but why do that when you can pick the apples yourselves! Fruit picking is a must in Aomori, and there are numerous farms and orchards where you can pick your apples. Take note: it is best to check with the farm and make a booking before visiting fruit-picking.
Apples are so synonymous with Aomori that there’s even an apple hot spring here! Minamida Onsen Hotel Apple Land (南田温泉ホテルアップルランド) is famous for putting apples into their hot spring baths, as the fruits’ malic acid is said to have a moisturising effect on the skin whereas the linoleic acid helps to promote blood circulation.
Closing
Tohoku is progressively seeing more and more visitors pouring into the region, and I find it welcoming to see how my Muslim friends are gradually recognising the region as a tourist destination. One of the common things they look forward to when travelling to Japan is fruits-picking, as they constantly ask me where to find fruit farms, and when to go for picking fruits. Tohoku’s fruits are to be reckoned with, and I encourage visitors, both first-timers and repeated travellers, to go and try out the best fruits that each prefecture in the region has to offer.
JR EAST 패스 (도호쿠 지역)
The JR EAST 패스 (도호쿠 지역) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥30,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
JR EAST 패스 (나가노, 니가타 지역)
The JR EAST 패스 (나가노, 니가타 지역) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥27,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers.
Header image credit: Aomori Prefecture / JNTO
