Japan Loquat Picking | Tokyo Day Trip | Club Tourism

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

Loquats, a popular spring delicacy in Asia, especially Taiwan, actually have their origins largely in Japan.
The most widely cultivated variety in Taiwan, "Maomu," originally originated from a variety introduced from Japan during the Meiji era.

When you see loquats growing in a Japanese orchard, everyone is sure to be amazed by their overwhelming size.
While the average loquat sold in Taiwan weighs around 40g to 60g per fruit (depending on the variety and growing conditions), the large-fruited varieties from Japan, the home of the loquat, can weigh as much as 75g to over 100g.
When you hold it in your palm, you can feel its substantial weight—it's more than twice the size of a Taiwanese loquat! This size is achieved through the unique cultivation techniques that Japanese farmers have cultivated over many years.
Experiencing the overwhelming amount of juice that overflows from large loquats is a privilege only those who visit the production areas in Japan can enjoy.

In Japan, you can try various fruit picking experiences depending on the season, but among them, the special activity available only in early summer from May. to Jun. is loquat picking.
Loquats are characterized by their elegant sweetness and gentle acidity that fills your mouth. Because the skin is thin and easily damaged, it is considered difficult not only for export overseas but also for distribution fresh within Japan. The harvest season is limited, making loquats a special "luxury fruit" even for Japanese people. The greatest appeal of loquat picking is being able to enjoy these precious loquats as much as you like in their freshest and most delicious state. It is a luxurious experience that can only be encountered for a few weeks in early summer.

Loquat picking typically involves tearing the loquat from trees and peeling it on the spot for 30 minutes all-you-can-eat to eat.
After learning from the farm staff how to identify delicious loquats and the correct harvesting methods, visitors freely walk around the orchard and pick the fully ripe loquats they find themselves from the trees to taste.

The main loquat production areas in Japan are Nagasaki and Chiba Prefectures.
In particular, the "Boshu loquat" cultivated in Chiba Prefecture and the Minamiboso region boasts excellent quality.
Compared to the Nagasaki varieties, they are larger and juicier, and are especially proud of their abundant juice.
From Tokyo to Minamiboso, it takes about an hour and a half one way, making it easy to enjoy loquat picking in Day Trip, which is another great point.

The southern part of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture (Minamiboso), a famous loquat-producing area, looks like it's right next to Tokyo on a map. However, if you decide to go on your own, you might be surprised by the complexity of transportation.
When coming from Tokyo, you'll need to transfer trains, but unlike the city subway, trains don't come every few minutes. You may have to wait for one train per hour or even longer. If you get the route or time wrong even once, it can seriously disrupt your travel plans. Reading Japanese route maps and timetables while traveling is much more challenging than you might imagine for travelers who want to make the most of their limited Length of stay.

Japanese fruit farms are located in the midst of nature, with fertile soil, vast tracts of land, and pristine water. Therefore, they are generally not within walking distance of a train station.
To get from the nearest station to the farm, you'll need to either take a bus with very few services or call a taxi. However, taxis are often not stationed at unmanned or small stations in rural areas, and many areas don't support ride-hailing apps. Calling and requesting a ride when you don't speak the language is extremely difficult.
Because these exquisite fruits are grown in a rich natural environment, accessing them solely by public transportation is extremely difficult.

If public transportation is difficult, some people may consider renting a car. However, this is not a foolproof solution.
Around farms in the Boso area, there are many narrow farm roads and slopes that are not shown on car navigation systems.
Also, driving while worrying about unfamiliar Japanese traffic rules and Signage can be stressful.

Because the Minamiboso area is inconvenient to access, we recommend Day Trip Bus Tour that alleviates travel anxiety.
It's an efficient and safe option to enjoy sightseeing without worrying about complicated transfers or language barriers.

The biggest appeal of Bus Tour is the convenience of going directly from Meeting point to your destination.
You don't have to worry about train transfer times or getting lost.
Just relax and enjoy the scenery unfolding from the train window until you arrive at the orchard.

If you try to visit fruit picking or spectacular views tourist spots in one day on an independent trip, transportation schedules don't always match, and you tend to end up spending too much time on the move.
However, with Bus Tour travel agencies, you can efficiently guide you to carefully selected sightseeing spots in Day Trip. Enjoy seasonal delicacies like loquats and Seafood rice bowl, then head to a vast garden filled with beautiful flowers...... You can spend a fulfilling day.

One surprisingly draining part of traveling during travel is carrying items like souvenirs. In rural areas, it's often hard to find coin lockers, so sightseeing while carrying a large bag can be tough.
With Bus Tour, you can leave not only large luggage but also many souvenirs purchased along the way in your bus seat or trunk. Fully enjoying loquat picking and photography while light is unique to Bus Tour, where transportation and rest areas are always included.

From here, we present a report from a Day Trip Bus Tour that actually enjoyed loquat picking.
Here, we will take a detailed look at a tour departing from Tokyo that lets you enjoy gourmet food, fruit, and spectacular views in a single day.

[Itinerary (Day Trip)]
● Shibuya ・Depart from Kamata and take the bus to Minamiboso
● Enjoy Seafood rice bowl lunch
● Loquat picking at the farm all-you-can-eat (30 minutes)
● Spring rose viewing at 'Tokyo German Village'

Tokyo Board a sightseeing bus from Departure Place in Tokyo and head to Minamiboso. Surrounded by the sea, the Boso Peninsula is one of Japan's top treasure troves of fresh seafood.
Lunch that day was a hearty "Seafood rice bowl," beautifully presented with freshly delivered tuna, shrimp, yellowtail, and more from the local fishing port. With just one bite, I was amazed by the overwhelming tightness of the flesh and the rich flavor. Just a short trip from the big city of Tokyo lets you experience the luxurious bounty of the sea—this is the unique charm of Minamiboso tours.

After enjoying Seafood rice bowl, head to the loquat picking farm.
On this tour, we enjoyed a luxurious "tasting comparison of two major varieties" that can only be done locally.
First, you pick fresh varieties called 'Tanaka' that are growing on the tree with your own hands. This variety is so juicy that when you take a bite, juice bursts out, and the balance of refreshing sweetness and acidity is exquisite! It was a variety that is very popular among tour participants.
And the other is 'Tomifusa,' which the farm has pre-chilled for you. This one features a rich, full-bodied sweetness and dense, fleshy flesh, and because it's chilled, the loquat's sweetness stands out even more.

Each loquat is individually covered with a paper bag to prevent damage.
When you open the bag and see the orange-colored fruit, it's a sign that it's ripe and ready to eat.
To harvest, simply hold the stem and twist gently. Peel off the thin skin and enjoy the sweet and delicious fruit.

Incidentally, the loquats that you pick are so juicy that the juice overflows and drips down.
Loquat juice can stain clothes and is difficult to remove. It's a good idea to have wet wipes or similar items on hand beforehand.

While a 30-minute time limit might seem short, don't worry. Loquats are easy to peel and eat quickly, so 30 minutes is actually more than enough time to enjoy them.
Apparently, someone with a big appetite could eat around 40 to 50 of them. You can spend 30 minutes savoring the largest, glossiest, top-quality loquats to your heart's content.

To conclude your trip, you will visit "Tokyo German Village," a vast grounds with exotic scenery. Here, from mid-May. to early Jun., the "spring roses" reach their Best viewing period.
As soon as you step into the garden, you'll be greeted by about 250 varieties and 3,000 vibrant roses all at once! Not only are the roses blooming in red, pink, and yellow beautiful, but the sweet fragrance fills the air, and just walking around feels luxurious.
In late May., when we conducted this interview, colorful snapdragons and petunias were also in Best viewing period, and the hills were bathed in beautiful hues.

Inside the park, stylish buildings reminiscent of a German countryside are lined up, creating a photogenic look that Instagram-worthy wherever you take a shot. At the shop, you can also buy unique souvenirs that let you experience a European vibe while still in Japan, such as authentic German beer and adorable sweets.

Tokyo German Village is a very vast theme park, but with a tour, you can be guided very close to the highlights by sightseeing bus. One of the unique points of tours is that you can enjoy the park efficiently without getting tired from walking.

After finishing my Minamiboso trip and on my way back to Tokyo, I stopped by the 'Umihotaru' parking area, located in the middle of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line.
This is a rare rest spot in the world where you "float on the sea," surrounded by the sea all around 360 degrees. Standing on the observation deck, you can enjoy the endless blue sea and the spectacular views of the expressway stretching over the water. On clear days, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokyo cityscape and Mount Fuji stretching across the river.

Inside the hotel, there is a souvenir shop lined with Chiba Prefecture's local specialties and limited edition sweets, so if you forget to buy anything at the end of your trip, be sure to buy it. Additionally, there is a café and food court where you can relax while gazing at the sea, making it perfect for a break.

This melon is characterized by its juicy sweetness and rich aroma.
In Ibaraki Prefecture, which boasts the highest production volume in Japan, you can experience picking netted melons.
A popular tour allows participants to take home a melon they harvested themselves.

Cherries, which reach their peak season in early summer, are also called the "red gem" because of their beautiful appearance.
Cultivation is thriving in Yamagata and Yamanashi Prefectures.
It is characterized by a balanced sweetness and acidity, and in Japan, the variety 'Sato Nishiki' is very popular.
Because the market price is high, it's recommended to savor it to your heart's content at all-you-can-eat.

Grape picking, where you can eat freshly picked ripe grapes, is also very popular every year.
Tours of Shine Muscat Grape Picking, where cultivation is thriving in Yamanashi and Okayama provinces, are especially popular.
Depending on the tour, you can also try premium varieties that are usually hard to access.

While the flesh is soft and easily damaged, Peach picking lets you indulge in the farm's unique sweetness and juiciness without worrying about spoilage.
Yamanashi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture are known as production areas, and in addition to Peach picking, some tours offer take-home peaches.

About the Tour
Q: Can children and seniors participate?
A: Yes. People of all ages can participate. Since you travel by bus during the tour, you won't walk for long. We warmly welcome children and seniors to join us.

About Meeting and Departure
Q: After booking, how can I check the meeting point and time?
A: After booking, you can check "Meeting point," "meeting time," and "emergency contact" on My Page. Before departure, you can also view "travel booklet Travel Guide" 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. A 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 in Japanese yen (credit card). 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 sole distributor of Club Tourism. For on-site consultations, please contact KNT Taiwan.

Passengers in Taiwan, please contact "Taiwan General Agent, Taiwan Kansai International Travel Agency" to register.
Online Registration https://www.knt-taiwan.com/contact.php
Call to register 02-87717551 (Mon~Fri 09:15~18:00 (excluding holidays))
Email info@knt-taiwan.com

The experience of luxuriously tasting and comparing the premium fruit "Boshu loquat" is a special moment that can only be enjoyed in Japan during this season. However, the Minamiboso area can be a bit challenging to visit on your own by transferring trains or buses.
That's why it's recommended to use a 'Day Trip Bus Tour' where you won't have any travel stress.
Without worrying about transfers or luggage, you can efficiently enjoy Minamiboso in one day, including seasonal loquats and spectacular views spots. Make the most of your limited time in Japan and create memories of early summer.