Day Trip Cherry, loquat, and strawberry picking all-you-can-eat! A complete guide to seasonal seasonal delicacies

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

When it comes to the luxury fruit that represents early summer in Japan, cherries are the must. May. This fruit picking can only be experienced during a limited period from late to early Jul..
North American dark cherries widely distributed in Taiwan are known for their firm texture and rich sweetness, but Japanese cherries have a completely different, delicate charm. Japanese cherries are characterized by their thin, ruby-colored skin, elegant sweetness that bursts out the moment you taste them, and a perfectly balanced gentle acidity. Because they are delicate and easily damaged, they are difficult to export in large quantities and are known as luxury goods traded at high prices overseas.

Japanese farmers are also meticulously concerned about the beauty, sugar content, and size of each cherry. Skilled artisans pluck the leaves to ensure sunlight evenly hits each cherry, cultivating them with deep affection, almost like creating a craft of art. Experiencing the highest freshness cherries, carefully cultivated and picked directly from the trees at the farm, where you can eat as much as you like, is truly the ultimate luxury unique to traveling in Japan.

In Gunma Prefecture, cherries, loquats, and strawberries can be eaten together in Jun.. These three fruits are originally fruits in very different seasons, so how can you compare them in the same season?

The secret lies in the temperature gradients caused by elevation differences within Gunma Prefecture.
Since an elevation increase of 100 meters lowers the temperature by about 0.6°C, the climate varies greatly between the plains and plateaus within the same prefecture.

Cherries that cannot grow in the Kanto plains are too hot to grow, but in high-altitude, cool areas, they reach their best season at the same time as Japan's Tohoku regions. Similarly, strawberries can extend their season end in high-altitude areas through thorough farmer management. Conversely, loquats are naturally grown in warm regions, so they are cultivated in lower, warmer areas within Gunma Prefecture. By doing so, you can enjoy loquats that ripen slightly later than average.

From here, we will provide a detailed report on an exquisite Day Trip bus tour that lets you conquer cherries, loquats, and strawberries in a single day.

This cherry picking experience lasted 30 minutes and was a luxurious all-you-can-eat experience where you picked fruit from the trees with your own hands. We were able to taste and compare two premium varieties: 'Sato Nishiki,' the most popular in Japan, and 'Benishūhō,' known for its large size and strong sweetness.

The moment you bite into cherries, the juice and aroma overflow and fill your mouth. Even at room temperature, the flesh is firm and fresh, so you can eat as many as you want without getting bored.
Also, since cherry trees bear plenty of fruit even at low positions, seniors and small children can safely enjoy tasting and comparing them without strain. Since the ground is soil, it was comfortable to just throw the seeds away after eating.

Loquats, a highly popular luxury fruit in Japan, are large, juicy, and have an elegant sweetness. The loquat picking all-you-can-eat experience is a limited-edition early summer harvest where you can indulge in the luxury of loquats. At the farm, you can lavishly compare two varieties on the spot: 'Motegi,' known for its gentle sweetness, and 'Tanaka,' which offers a moderate acidity and rich flavor. Loquats grown on Japanese farms are large, juicy, and their biggest appeal is the juicy sweetness that fills your mouth the moment you bite into them. Just like cherry trees, loquats, when the fruit grows on the upper part of the tree that gets plenty of sunlight, are especially sweet and grow deliciously. At the farm, staff carefully harvested the extra-large, fully ripe loquats at the top of the trees and handed them to tour participants, which was a delightful hospitality. You can fully enjoy the fresh, delicious freshness of the picked loquats.

At this time, strawberries are fully ripe, characterized by ripe sweetness, rich aroma, and juiciness. Also, because they are grown on elevated beds, the fruit is clean and does not touch the soil, and since it can be harvested without sag, it is not burdensome to the body.
Strawberry picking all-you-can-eat is usually in season from Jan. to late May., but this tour extends the harvesting experience until the end of the Jun. season. Ripe strawberries are perfect for harvesting and eating on the spot, but they are very delicate and not suitable for market shipment. The true joy of strawberry picking in this season is being able to enjoy as many as you like to wrap up the season with strawberries that don't usually appear at regular stores.

The tour concludes with a stroll through the historic Onoike Hydrangea Park. The hydrangeas, which bloom only during the rainy season from 6~ Jul., are picturesque alongside old Japanese ponds and wind chimes. This scenic spot lets you rest your fruit-filled stomach and refresh yourself in the fresh air.

The cherry, loquat, and strawberry farms I experienced this time are scattered across three locations within Gunma Prefecture. On this bus tour, we departed Shinjuku Station at 8:00 and went through (1) cherry picking all-you-can-eat, (2) strawberry picking all-you-can-eat, (3) loquat picking all-you-can-eat, and (4) Onoike Hydrangea Park, and returned to Shinjuku Station at 18:00.

What happens if you try to get around these by public transportation?
Buses stop near the farms about once every hour. To visit each farm by transferring trains and buses, you need to plan carefully in advance, and missing the train or other mistakes can be fatal. Also, some farms are difficult to reach by train or bus, so you will need to use taxis if necessary.
Using a rental car is also an option, but Gunma Prefecture is a region with significant elevation differences. You may encounter steep farm roads and slopes not shown on navigation systems, requiring intense concentration throughout the day.
Also, while taxis are convenient, the areas near farms are often outside the ride-hailing app area, and since there are few taxis running nearby, arranging them can be challenging.

Club Tourism 's Day Trip bus tours perfectly eliminate all the drawbacks of rental cars, taxis, and public transportation, providing the highest satisfaction. The best thing about bus tours is their ease of thinking, no need to think at all, and overwhelmingly low costs.

During the journey, just sitting in a cool seat on the train eliminates the worry of getting lost or worrying about train transfer times. After eating the finest cherries, strawberries, and loquats until you're full, you can also recover your energy by sleeping in your seat until you reach your next destination.

Also, you don't have to wander around carrying heavy suitcases or souvenirs. All the large amounts of luggage purchased along the way can be stored on bus seats or trunks, allowing you to sightsee light-handed.
Furthermore, while individual travel tends to have higher transportation costs, the bus tour price includes round-trip transportation, a luxurious all-you-can-eat of three kinds of fruit, and special lunch boxes from the start.
Having such a comprehensive trip is a privilege unique to bus tours.

〈About the Tour〉
Q: Can children or seniors participate physically well?
A: Yes, it is possible. The main transportation is by bus, and the walking distance is short. Since cherries, loquats, and strawberries bear fruit even in lower areas, anyone can enjoy them safely and comfortably.

〈Regarding questions about gathering and departure〉
Q: After booking, how can I check the Meeting point and time?
A: After booking, you can check the "Meeting point," "meeting time," and "emergency contact" at any time on the My Page. You can also view detailed "旅のしおり    Travel Guide" online before departure.

〈About Luggage〉
Q: Can I bring a suitcase to participate?
A: When traveling by bus, we provide space for luggage, so you can bring your own suitcase. However, please limit yourself to two large suitcases per person.

〈About Language Support〉
Q: Can I participate even if I can't speak Japanese?
A: Yes, it is possible. The tour operates on a Japanese, but important guidance is provided in English and Traditional Chinese via AI translation devices and written instructions. Tour conductor and drivers also use translation apps, so there is no language concern.

〈About Payment〉
Q: What are the payment methods? What currency is available?
A: Payment is made online in Japanese yen (credit card). Exchange rates are subject to card company regulations. Immediate payment is required at the time of reservation.

〈About Local Support〉
Q: Do you have physical stores in Taiwan or overseas?
A: In Taiwan, KNT Taiwan is the exclusive distributor for Club Tourism. For local consultations, please contact KNT Taiwan.
Travelers from Taiwan can register via the Taiwan General Agent Kansai Taiwan International Travel Agency.
Online Registration https://www.knt-taiwan.com/contact.php
Call to register: 02-87717551 (Mon~Fri 09:15~18:00 (excluding holidays))

Picking three types of fruits: cherries, strawberries, and loquats all-you-can-eat. In just a brief moment of early summer, the miraculous overlap of three premium fruits thanks to Gunma's exceptional terrain is truly the ultimate luxury of traveling in Japan that can only be encountered in this season. The freshly picked sweetness and juice, each radiating a unique brilliance, along with the vibrant hydrangeas, create a beautiful landscape that leaves a deep, special travel memory in the hearts of visitors. Please indulge in this elegant moment of indulgence in luxurious flavors you can only experience now.