(Takahiro Takiguchi)
Though there is a chill in the air and snow on the ground in many areas, picking strawberries, called “Ichigogari” (literally, hunting strawberry) is a popular activity this time of year in Japan.
Strawberry farms across the country offer opportunities for visitors to pick the sweet berries and enjoy all-you-can-eat-as-you-pick feasts with time limits. Around this time there are also many travel agencies running tours to famous strawberry areas like Tochigi and Shizuoka Prefectures.
Originally, strawberries were harvested in early summer. However, improvement of plant breeding and the introduction of greenhouses has allowed for earlier harvests. The best time to pick berries is from late December to late April-early May depending on the variety of strawberry and farm.
At Tsukuihama Kanko Farm, a 40-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base, you can enjoy ichigogari now and until early May.
Although you can enjoy the activity from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., I encourage you to come and pick strawberries in the morning as you can enjoy fresh and tasty berries well chilled during the night. Just like many other fruits and vegetables, early morning is the best time to pick strawberries.
When we paid the fee of 2,000 yen ($13) per person at the entrance of the Farm, we entered a large greenhouse to pick and eat as much as we could for 30 minutes.
While walking around in the greenhouse, I probably ate 50 or more strawberries within the 30 minutes. It was really fun, and the berries tasted great.
The fee changes depending on the time of year. So, be sure to check on farm websites for updated fees and other important info like berry conditions and hours for ichigogari. Happy, sweet strawberry hunting!
Tsukuihama Kanko Farm
Location: 5-15-20 Tsukui, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (until early May)
Fee: all-you-can-eat (30 minutes), 2,000 yen ($13).
URL: https://ja-yokosukahayama.or.jp/tourism/
Tel: 046-849-5001
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
(Takahiro Takiguchi)
