Aomori Apples the Bounty of Japan Top Apple Kingdom in Hirosaki

Aomori Prefecture is a fruit kingdom that boasts the highest apple production in Japan. Aomori accounts for roughly sixty percent of the nation apple output and ranks first in both cultivated area and production. Vast orchards spread especially around Hirosaki, where clear air and a large temperature gap between day and night raise fruit with a harmony of sweetness and tartness. The autumn scenery of bright red apples ripening across the branches speaks of the rich harvest unique to this land.

Highlights

One charm of Aomori apples is the sheer variety, from the flagship Fuji that makes up about half of production, to Orin with its refreshing tartness, Tsugaru with its vivid color, and Jonagold with its fine balance of sweet and tart, each with its own character. Roadside stands and orchards dot the city, where you can taste freshly picked fruit, and there is also an abundance of apple juice, apple pie, and other apple sweets. You will meet a charm different from the raw fruit.

Enjoying the Seasons

The apple harvest runs mainly from autumn into early winter. Tsugaru comes around mid September, Orin and Jonagold in October, and the flagship Fuji from late October into early November, so because the timing shifts by variety you can enjoy many flavors over a long period. In spring the orchards are dressed in blankets of white blossoms, and in summer the green fruit swells. During harvest time some farms let you experience apple picking, which is popular with families. Feeling the growth of the apples through the four seasons is another delight.

Access and Basic Information

Hirosaki City is about forty minutes to an hour from central Aomori City by car or train. There are many roadside stands and tourist farms in and around the city, and apple picking is popular during the autumn season. At places such as Hirosaki City Apple Park you can enjoy seasonal apple picking experiences and the sale of processed products. Souvenir shops are well stocked with apple products, and a steady stream of visitors take them home as memories of the trip.

Practical Travel Notes

• Fuji is the representative variety making up about half of Aomori apples, popular for developing honey like cores. Since the peak differs by variety, comparing flavors according to your visit time is recommended.
• Apple picking is mainly held during the autumn harvest. Because participating farms and periods vary by year, check in advance.
• Fresh apples are heavy to carry. For gifts headed far away, processed products like juice, apple pie, and dried apple are convenient.
• Hirosaki is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot, so in spring you can enjoy floral scenery along with the white blossoms of the apples.

A Quick Tip

Apples taste even sweeter when chilled before eating. Comparing different varieties is recommended, and if you ask the farmers at a roadside stand for their seasonal picks, you may make an unexpected discovery. Even the same Fuji varies in flavor by orchard and timing, so seeking out those differences is another way to enjoy it.