Fruit-Picking Day Trips near Tokyo | Strawberry Picking and the Misotsuchi Icicles in January

*This article was created for travelers planning to visit Japan, but readers in Japan may also find it useful.

In the suburbs of Tokyo, there are many fruit farms that can be reached within one to two hours. One of the main attractions is the convenience of simply riding a bus to the destination, without the stress of navigating unfamiliar areas. There’s no need to carry heavy luggage, allowing you to focus all your energy on enjoying the trip.

The types of fruits available in Japan change with the seasons, and tourists often ask, "What's in season now?" Please refer to the table below.

In addition to fruit picking, tours also include a lunch buffet featuring local ingredients, shopping for regional souvenirs, and visits to historic, atmospheric shrines, letting you experience the charms of the area throughout the day. This itinerary, packed with things to enjoy, is why these tours are popular with both first-time and repeat visitors.

Since transportation and reservations are all taken care of for you, even those unfamiliar with the area or worried about their Japanese can join with confidence. A tour conductor accompanies the group and carefully explains everything you need to know, making these tours a great choice for first-time visitors to sightseeing spots near Tokyo. Another advantage is that heavy souvenirs such as fruit and drinks can be left on the bus, so you don't have to carry them around.

There are many strawberry varieties in Japan, but "Tochiotome," "Amaou," and "Beni Hoppe" are widely known as representative varieties of Japan. All have an excellent balance of sweetness and fragrance, and Japanese strawberries are recognized worldwide for their high quality. In Japan, you can find these varieties in many places, from supermarkets to tourist farms. "Tochiotome" is known for its abundant juice and moderate acidity, "Amaou" for its large size and rich sweetness, and "Beni Hoppe" for its deep sweetness and vibrant color.

While there are strawberries that are famous nationwide, there are also varieties that can only be tasted by visiting the local area. A prime example is "Amarin," which originated in Saitama Prefecture. It is characterized by its pleasant fragrance, juiciness, and strong sweetness. Because production is limited, it is rarely distributed on the market, and it has gained attention as a "strawberry unique to the local area" that can be tasted at tourist farms and the like.

Strawberries are in season from around Dec. to Mar., and Jan. in particular is said to be when the sugar content stabilizes and the flavor is at its best. Tourist farms near Tokyo mainly grow strawberries in greenhouses with controlled temperature and humidity, so you can enjoy strawberry picking comfortably even in winter. Tasting freshly picked strawberries on the spot is a pleasure unique to traveling.

Saitama Prefecture is easily accessible, about an hour by train from central Tokyo, and is also a thriving fruit-growing area that makes use of the different climates and soils of each region. In addition to strawberries, many other attractive fruits unique to Saitama are grown here.

Winter fruit-picking tours not only let you enjoy seasonal flavors but also offer scenery and experiences unique to the season. On the tour I joined, in addition to all-you-can-eat picking of sweet, fully ripe strawberries, I enjoyed the "Misotsuchi Icicles Light-Up," one of the most spectacular sights of winter in Chichibu. I also visited "Chichibu Shrine" to pay my respects. The highlight of this tour is that you can fully enjoy the nature and flavors unique to Chichibu, Saitama, throughout the day. I can recommend it not only to fruit lovers but also to anyone who wants to see and experience quintessential Japanese winter scenery.

【Tour Name】
『All-You-Can-Eat Strawberry Picking in Chichibu & Lunch Buffet with About 20 Dishes Including Roast Beef: A Magical Winter Spectacle! Misotsuchi Icicles Light-Up』【From Shinjuku】

【Itinerary】
● Depart from Shinjuku Station
● Lunch buffet at Hanazono Forest
● All-you-can-eat strawberry picking at Wado Farm
● Free time to visit Chichibu Shrine
● Misotsuchi Icicles (illumination viewing)
● Return to Shinjuku Station

The main attraction of this tour is strawberry picking at Wado Farm. Inside the greenhouses, rows of bright red strawberries line the beds, and the biggest draw is the chance to compare seven varieties: Akihime, Suzu, Amaotome, Star Night, Hoshi Urara, Beni Hoppe, and Yotsuboshi. Since the flavor characteristics of each variety are explained, you can enjoy finding the strawberry that suits your taste, whether you prefer sweetness, a balance with acidity, or aroma.
Another plus is that the strawberries are grown using elevated cultivation, so you don't need to crouch down and can pick them comfortably while standing. Snap a berry off the stem and pop it straight into your mouth, and the sweetness spreads along with the juice, letting you enjoy a freshness only freshly picked berries can offer. It's all-you-can-eat within the time limit, so you can take your time savoring your favorite varieties.
The farm's shop also sells rare varieties found only in Saitama, such as Amarin and Sayurin, as well as souvenirs like strawberry jam, sweets, and strawberry liqueur. Being able to take strawberries home to enjoy, not just eat them on site, is part of the fun of a strawberry farm.

Chichibu Shrine, a historic shrine that represents Chichibu, is conveniently located just a short walk from Chichibu Station. Its brightly colored main sanctuary is impressive, and if you look closely you will find a variety of carvings, such as the "Kosodate no Tora" (Child-Rearing Tiger), "Ogenki Sanzaru" (Healthy Three Monkeys), "Hokushin no Fukuro" (Owl of the North Star), and "Tsunagi no Ryu" (Tethered Dragon). Each has its own meaning, so you can also enjoy walking around in search of the carvings. On the shrine grounds, you can also try "mizu-uranai," a water fortune whose result appears when you float the paper on water.
Our free time included the shrine visit, so I was glad to also have time to browse local specialties and souvenirs around the station. The station even has a local sake corner where you can sample for a single coin, and trying the unique flavors of Chichibu is one of the joys of the trip.

At the Misotsuchi Icicles, I was able to take in the beauty of the illuminated icicles. The best time to see them is limited to mid-Jan. through mid-Feb. They are true works of ice art created by nature, formed only in a harsh winter environment where temperatures repeatedly rise and fall. The icicles, lit up in colorful lights, are reflected on the surface of the river, and the sight of them glittering on a quiet winter night is an impressive moment you will want to capture in photos and videos. The clear air and stillness, rarely found in the city, stay with you.
Here you can see both artificially grown icicles and icicles formed naturally by spring water seeping from the rocks, and comparing the two is one of the highlights. The largest icicles reach up to about 8 meters high, and up close they are so impressive you can't help but look up.
To warm up after the winter cold, there is also a café and shop on site. You can enjoy Chichibu's famous "miso potatoes," freshly fried so they are crispy outside and fluffy inside. The slightly sweet miso sauce goes perfectly with the potatoes. Other foods and drinks are also available for a short break, and they taste all the better in the cold.

• You want to enjoy seasonal fruit experiences such as strawberry picking
• You want to see Japan's unique winter scenery
• You are interested in Japanese shrines
• You want to sightsee efficiently on a day trip
• You are looking for a tour you can join comfortably even in the cold season
• You want to travel with peace of mind, without worrying about transportation

Examples of related tours
• Tours featuring seasonal delicacies available only at that time of year, all-you-can-eat meals, and fruit picking
• Gourmet-focused tours and premium travel

Questions About Meeting and Departure
Q: How can I confirm the meeting place and time after booking?
A: After making a reservation, you can check the "meeting place", "meeting time" and "emergency contact" on My Page. Before departure, you can also view the Tour Program (Tabi no Shiori) online.

About Luggage
Q: Can I bring my suitcase to participate?
A: If you are traveling by bus, we have space for luggage, so you can bring your suitcase. However, please limit yourself to two large suitcases per person.

Language Support
Q: Can I participate even if I don't speak Japanese?
A: Yes, you can. The tour is operated in Japanese, but important information is available in English and Chinese (Traditional) using AI translation equipment and written information. Tour conductors and drivers also use translation apps, so there is no need to worry about the language.

About Payment
Q: What is the payment method? What is the currency?
A: Payment is made online by credit card in Japanese yen. The exchange rate is subject to the rules of the credit card company. Instant payment is required at the time of booking.

About Local Support
Q: Do you have physical stores in Taiwan or overseas?
A: In Taiwan, KNT Taiwan is the general agent for Club Tourism. For on-site consultations, please contact KNT Taiwan.

For passengers in Taiwan, please contact KNT Taiwan (Taiwan General Agent)
Book Online: https://www.knt-taiwan.com/contact.php
Book by Phone: 02-87717551 (Mon–Fri 09:15–18:00, excluding holidays)
Email: info@knt-taiwan.com

Winter strawberry picking is a popular experience that lets you savor Japan's seasonal charm in a sweet, juicy way. Jan. is when strawberries are at their most delicious, and picking fully ripe berries and enjoying them on the spot will make your trip even more satisfying. Another appeal of joining a tour is being able to visit spots with winter-only scenery and nature in a single day, such as the Misotsuchi Icicles Light-Up bathed in magical light. Besides the tour introduced here, there are also tours that combine fruit picking with seasonal highlights throughout the year. Be sure to experience a trip unique to winter in Japan, easily enjoyed as a day trip from Tokyo.