Sakuranbo Sweets

Yamagata boasts the largest cherry production in Japan. In early summer, sweets made with the premium Sato Nishiki variety color the towns.

Highlights

Glowing like rubies, Sato Nishiki cherries strike an exquisite balance of refined sweetness and gentle tartness. Wonderful eaten fresh, they also shine like jewels in parfaits, tarts, and jellies. Higashine City is known as the birthplace of Sato Nishiki.

Enjoying the Seasons

Cherries are in season from June to July. Tourist orchards offer picking experiences where you can pop just picked fruit into your mouth. Cafes and confectioners roll out season only parfaits.

Access and Basic Information

Tourist orchards and sweet shops cluster around Higashine and Tendo cities. Sakuranbo Higashine Station is a convenient sightseeing base.

A Quick Tip

The season is short and demand is high, so book orchards and sweets early. The fruit bruises easily, so remember to keep it cool when taking it home.