Higashine Tourism Orchard

Higashine City produces abundant fruits such as cherries and apples. Cherries are their top produce at 3,600 tons a year, greater than any other city in Japan. The main cherry species, Sato Nishiki, was created in Higashine. Before JR Sakurambo-Higashine Station, there is a bronze statue of Eisuke Sato in honor of his creation of Sato Nishiki.

In the city, over 20 tourism orchards are open for picking - cherries from late April to early July, peaches and grapes from August to October, apples from October through December. Yamagata is the top producer of La France pear between October and December, but it requires an ethylene process and ripening in the fridge after harvest and it is not for the public picking. When ready, La france is sold at the orchard’s direct sales store.

The price range of cherry picking changes depending on the available varieties and courses, but it is around 2,000 yen / adult for 30 min. Between late April and May, you can pick cherries in the greenhouse. Some orchards require reservation. Check the details at the website of Higashine City Tourism & Products Association before you go.