Peaches: Juicy Pride of the Yamanashi Orchards

Yamanashi ranks among the very top peach producing regions in Japan. Grown under the abundant sunshine typical of its basin and the wide gap between day and night temperatures, the fruit stores up refined sweetness and plenty of juice. In early summer, the areas around the orchards are colored with peach blossoms and fruit, delighting the eyes of those who visit.

Highlights

Yamanashi peaches range widely in variety, from those with soft flesh to those with a firm bite, so you can choose to suit your taste. At sightseeing orchards, peach picking, in which you taste freshly plucked fruit on the spot, draws great popularity. Biting into a well chilled peach lets the overflowing juice and a rich fragrance spread together, making you feel the arrival of summer.

Enjoying the Seasons

Peaches are at their best from early summer into summer, and during this time many people visit the orchards for peach picking. In early spring, peach blossoms bloom across the land, and the scenery dyed in pink is a sight worth seeing. At direct sales stands, freshly picked peaches can be bought at reasonable prices and are welcomed as gifts.

Access and Basic Information

Peach orchards spread out mainly around the cities of Fuefuki and Koshu. Isawaonsen Station and Kasugaicho Station on the JR Chuo Main Line serve as starting points, and by car the Ichinomiya Misaka interchange on the Chuo Expressway is convenient. In spring, when the peach blossoms open, the whole basin is dyed pink, and the area is also known as a place to see the flowers. Because timing and varieties for peach picking differ by orchard, checking in advance is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

Peach picking takes different forms by orchard, such as timed all you can eat on the spot or sales by weight where you keep what you harvest. Peaches have a shorter peak than grapes, and the harvest window for each variety is limited, so if you have a favorite variety, confirming its season beforehand makes for a sure visit. Fully ripe peaches bruise easily and are sensitive to strong impact, so handling them gently when carrying them home and eating them soon keeps the flavor intact. For distant destinations, using an orchard or direct sales stand that ships to other regions brings peace of mind. In early spring the whole basin turns peach pink as a noted flower spot, and some people visit solely for the blossoms. Weekends during the harvest crowd the orchards easily, so setting out early in the morning lets you enjoy the visit at ease.

A Quick Tip

Since peaches bruise easily, it is best to enjoy them soon after purchase. Chilling them a little before eating makes the sweetness and aroma stand out all the more. Handling the softer varieties gently helps keep them from falling apart.