Tochiotome Strawberry Sweets in Tochigi

Tochigi has long ranked first in Japan for strawberry production, earning it the title of strawberry kingdom. Its flagship variety, tochiotome, is known for a pleasant balance of acidity and sweetness along with firm flesh. Parfaits, cakes, and strawberry picking made with these fine berries are among the great pleasures of visiting Tochigi.

Highlights

Tochiotome berries are uniform and beautifully shaped, with a vivid red color and a glossy look. Cafes and pastry shops around the prefecture line their cases with parfaits, tarts, and shortcakes generously using in season tochiotome, letting you fully enjoy the juiciness of the fruit itself. In recent years new varieties have followed tochiotome, and comparing them is a luxury unique to Tochigi.

Enjoying the Seasons

Strawberries are in season from winter into spring, with the period from around December to May being the most rewarding. Berries grown in greenhouses during the cold season develop a deep sweetness and are popular as gifts. Strawberry picking at tourist farms is a staple of this time, and biting into freshly picked fruit delights families with children.

Access and Basic Information

Tourist strawberry farms and cafes serving strawberry sweets are scattered throughout the prefecture, including around Utsunomiya. You can also enjoy them easily at pastry shops and cafes near JR Utsunomiya Station, with good access by Shinkansen. Many picking farms require reservations, so checking availability in advance is reassuring.

A Quick Tip

To enjoy them as a dessert, a parfait piled with fresh berries is recommended. The harmony of the sweet and tart fruit with cream will surely let you feel the strength of Tochigi, the strawberry kingdom.