For fruit lovers, there could be nothing more heavenly than an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of bright, juicy, organic produce straight from tree or vine.
And that is exactly what you can indulge in at Yoichi, a fertile slice of paradise hidden amongst southwest Hokkaido’s rolling mountain ranges.
An hour’s drive due north of Niseko, where the winding green mountain passes descend to sea level, a fertile river valley chock-full of orchards fans out towards the coastline of the Sea of Japan, encompassing what is known as “Northern Fruit Kingdom”.
”A fertile river valley chock-full of orchards fans out towards the coastline of the Sea of Japan, encompassing what is known as “the Northern Fruit Kingdom”
As its moniker suggests, fruit tourism is a big industry here with busloads of domestic and international visitors pouring into the area throughout the green season, keen to wrap their taste buds around Yoichi’s famous fresh fruit at its finest.
With locally grown produce a scarce commodity across much of the world today, eating fruit direct from the source is a rare treat, and a reminder of just how good it’s supposed to taste.
Dozens of Yoichi’s orchards are open to the public, allowing visitors to wander the fields and – for a small fee – pick and eat as much as they like. For just a few yen more you can also fill a tub to take home for later.
One of the most popular orchards is the Yamamoto Fruit Farm, pictured here. Their speciality is cherries, with a wide variety so you can compare the subtle differences. And if you time your trip right, there could be several different types of fruit ripe for the picking. Check out the calendar below and plan your Niseko summer holiday around your favourite fruits’ season.
Best times for fruit picking in Niseko & surrounds
Strawberries
Mid June – Early July
Cherries
End June – Early August
Blueberries
End July – End August
Plums
Early August – End September
Peaches
Mid-August – End October
Prunes
Mid August – End October
Grapes
Early Sept – Early November
Apples
Early Sept – Early November
Chestnuts
Mid-September – Mid-October
Pears
End September – End October