Kanagawa Fruit Picking Guide: Grapes, Pears, Mandarin Oranges, and Strawberries
Overview
One of the most charming things to do in Japan is visit a farm and pick your own fruit. Kanagawa is surprisingly well suited to it: the peninsula has a long tradition of fruit farming, with microclimates that produce everything from Shine Muscat grapes in the north to sun-ripened mikan oranges along the coast. And because the farms sit close to Tokyo, nearly all of them are reachable by train and bus.
I grew up picking apples in orchards, and Japan’s version of fruit picking — all-you-can-eat sessions, careful variety selection, and the seasonal rhythm of the farms — quickly became one of my favorite activities here. My first Kanagawa harvest was pears at a Sagamihara farm in late August; I have been back every year since, following the fruit calendar from strawberries in winter to mikan in late autumn.
This guide covers Kanagawa’s main fruit-picking options — grapes, pears, mikan, and strawberries — with seasons, typical prices, farm details, and practical advice for international visitors.
🍇 Grape Picking (August – October)
The Season
Grape season in Kanagawa runs from early August through October, with the prized Shine Muscat variety peaking in late August and September. The grapes here are grown on low trellises, which means you pick standing under a canopy of fruit — easy, shaded, and very photogenic.
I visited a vineyard near Atsugi in early September and spent a happy hour cutting bunches of Shine Muscat with the farm’s provided scissors. The all-you-can-eat format means you taste your way along the rows, and the difference between fresh-picked grapes and store-bought ones is dramatic.
Where to Pick
- Sagamihara area — Several vineyards operate around the city, including Misawa Farm in Minami-ku. Access by bus from JR Yokohama Line or Odakyu stations.
- Atsugi and Aikawa — Vineyards along the Nakatsu River valley, about 30 minutes from Hon-Atsugi.
- Ashigara area — Smaller vineyards in the western valley, near the Ashigara area sights.
Prices and Format
- All-you-can-eat: Typically ¥1,500-2,500 per person for 30-45 minutes, depending on the variety (Shine Muscat is the premium option).
- By weight: Some farms sell pick-your-own by the kilogram instead, around ¥1,500-2,500 per kg.
- Season note: Peak Shine Muscat season is late August to September; early and late season prices are lower.
🍐 Pear Picking (Mid-August – October)
The Season
Kanagawa is a serious pear-producing region — the water-rich plains around Sagamihara and Ebina grow some of the best pears in the Kanto area. The season runs from mid-August to early October, with the two classic varieties: Hosui (crisp and sweet, early season) and Kosui (juicier, late season).
Pear picking is the most relaxed of the fruit-picking experiences. The trees are low and the fruit hangs at chest height, so you can take your time comparing bunches. The farms provide a peeler and knife, and most visitors eat their fill on the spot.
Where to Pick
- Sagamihara: Haruyama Pear Orchard (Haruyama Nashien) in Minami-ku — a long-established orchard, about 15 minutes by bus from Hara-Taima Station on the JR Sagami Line.
- Ebina: Several orchards operate around Ebina Station on the Odakyu Line, reachable by local bus.
Prices and Format
- All-you-can-eat: Around ¥1,200-1,800 per person for 30-45 minutes.
- Take-home: Pears bought to take home are usually priced per piece or per box.
🍊 Mikan Picking (October – December)
The Season
Mikan — Japanese mandarin oranges — are the autumn icon of the Pacific coast, and Kanagawa’s Miura Peninsula and Odawara area are classic mikan country. The season runs from mid-October to late December, with the fruit ripening on sunny hillside terraces overlooking the sea.
Mikan picking is an outdoor hill-climbing experience: you walk up the terraced groves, snip oranges from the trees, and eat them warm from the sun with the ocean below. The contrast between the bright orange fruit and the blue bay is one of the most scenic harvests in Japan. I did this at a Miura grove in mid-November and found the views alone worth the trip.
Where to Pick
- Miura Peninsula: Dozens of groves operate under the Miura Mikan Picking Association. The main access is Keikyu Miura-Kaigan Station, with a tourist information desk that assigns visitors to participating groves. Around ¥1,200 for adults, including on-site eating and about 1 kg to take home.
- Odawara area: Farms near Nebukawa Station on the JR Tokaido Line, including Orange Garden (Oranger Garden), about 20 minutes on foot from the station (shuttle in season). Around ¥500 for adults.
- Yokosuka: The Tsukuihama Tourist Farm area also runs mikan and strawberry picking.
Prices and Format
- All-you-can-eat: ¥500-1,200 per person depending on the farm, usually including a take-home bag.
- Season note: Early season (October) fruit is tangier; by December the fruit is fully sweet.
🍓 Strawberry Picking (January – May)
The Season
Strawberry picking is Japan’s most popular fruit-picking activity, and Kanagawa’s winter-spring season (roughly January to early May) fills the gap when most other fruit is out of season. The strawberries are grown in greenhouses, raised on raised beds, which means you pick standing up — clean, warm, and easy.
The standard format is all-you-can-eat for 30 minutes inside the warm greenhouse, dipping the berries in condensed milk as you go. The best varieties — like the local Beni Hoppe — are sweet enough to eat plain. I have brought visiting friends to a Miura strawberry farm in February more times than I can count; it never fails to delight.
Where to Pick
- Miura Peninsula: The strawberry heartland, with the Tsukuihama Tourist Farm (Tsukuihama Kanko Noen) in Yokosuka near the Miura border as one of the largest. Keikyu Tsukuihama Station is about 20 minutes away on foot (free shuttle in season).
- Sagamihara: A few farms operate in the southern part of the city.
- Odawara: Small strawberry farms operate around the coastal towns.
Prices and Format
- All-you-can-eat (30 min): Around ¥2,000-2,500 per person during peak season (January-April), dropping to ¥1,500-2,000 in late April-May.
- By weight: Some farms sell take-home boxes by weight.
- Reservation: Popular farms require reservations on weekends. Book at least a few days ahead.
🗓️ The Year-Round Fruit Calendar
| Season | Fruit | Where | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-May | Strawberries | Miura, Sagamihara | ¥1,500-2,500 |
| Aug-Oct | Grapes (Shine Muscat) | Sagamihara, Atsugi | ¥1,500-2,500 |
| Aug-Oct | Pears | Sagamihara, Ebina | ¥1,200-1,800 |
| Oct-Dec | Mikan | Miura, Odawara | ¥500-1,200 |
The Ideal Year
- February: Strawberries at Miura, with the Miura Peninsula sights as a bonus.
- Late August: Pears at Sagamihara, then the Tsukui Lake parks nearby.
- September: Shine Muscat grapes near Atsugi, combined with a Miyagase Lake outing.
- November: Mikan at Miura or Odawara, followed by a stop at the Odawara castle.
💡 Tips for International Visitors
- Language — Most farms are family-run and may not have English signage or staff. A translation app is your best friend; the essential phrases are simple (“how much,” “reservation,” “thank you”).
- Reservations — Strawberry and Shine Muscat sessions fill quickly. Reserve by phone or the farm’s website; some accept bookings through major reservation platforms.
- What to bring — Comfortable shoes (you may walk on hillsides), a hat for sunny groves, and a small bag for take-home fruit. The farms provide picking tools, but some charge a small fee for containers.
- Etiquette — Eat what you pick in the all-you-can-eat sessions, and do not remove fruit from the grove beyond the provided take-home portion. Follow the farm’s instructions about touching fruit — once cut from the vine, it must be eaten.
- Weather — Strawberry picking is indoor (greenhouse), but grape, pear, and mikan picking are outdoors. Check the forecast and dress accordingly.
- Cash — Many small farms are cash-only. Withdraw before you go.
🚗 Getting There
By Train and Bus
Most Kanagawa fruit farms are reachable by public transport:
- Miura: Keikyu Line to Miura-Kaigan or Misaki-guchi, then the tourist information desk for grove assignments.
- Sagamihara: JR Yokohama Line or Odakyu Line, then a short bus ride to the orchard.
- Atsugi/Aikawa: Odakyu Line to Hon-Atsugi, then local buses.
- Odawara: JR Tokaido Line to Nebukawa Station, then a walk or in-season shuttle.
By Car
A car makes multi-farm days far easier, especially in the Miura hills. See the rental car guide for driving basics in Japan, and note that farm parking is usually free but limited.
🔗 Related Guides
- Miura Peninsula: The strawberry and mikan heartland is covered in the Miura area guide and the peninsula access guide.
- Sagamihara: Pair a pear or grape visit with the Sagamihara and Tsukui Lake guide.
- Seasonal planning: See the summer and autumn guides for the surrounding travel season.
Conclusion
Fruit picking is the perfect Japanese farm activity: seasonal, affordable, and rewarding in a way that no museum visit can match. Kanagawa’s farms cover the full calendar — strawberries to warm a winter morning, grapes and pears to sweeten late summer, and mikan to close out the year on a sunny hillside above the sea. It is a hands-on way to taste the prefecture’s countryside, meet the people who grow its food, and take home the freshest possible souvenir. Pick a season, find a farm, and enjoy the harvest.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to speak Japanese to go fruit picking?
A: No. A translation app handles the basics, and the picking itself is self-explanatory. Reservations are easiest by phone or website, sometimes with help from a translation app.
Q: Can I take fruit home?
A: Usually yes. Mikan and strawberry farms typically include a take-home portion in the price. Grapes and pears are often available for purchase by weight or box.
Q: What is the best fruit-picking experience for a first visit?
A: Strawberries in winter-spring are the most forgiving (indoor, warm, easy), while mikan in autumn offer the most scenic setting on the Miura hillsides.
Q: Are reservations required?
A: Not always, but recommended — especially for strawberries and Shine Muscat grapes on weekends. Many farms accept walk-ins on weekday mornings.