Japanese Peach Picking Guide: All-You-Can-Eat Yamanashi Day Trip from Tokyo

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

Yamanashi The prefecture boasts the highest peach production in Japan. The reason lies in the natural environment ideal for peach cultivation. Throughout the year, the long daylight hours and large temperature differences typical of the basin allow plenty of sugar to be stored during the day, while the coolness at night helps lock in sweetness. Additionally, the well-drained alluvial fans spread out, which is one reason for growing delicious peaches.
Yamanashi Prefecture, from Jun. to Aug., various varieties with different harvest seasons—such as 'Hanayome,' 'Chiyohime,' 'Hikawa Hakuhou,' 'Hakuhou,' 'Asama White Peach,' and 'Kawanakajima White Peach'—come into season one after another. Therefore, being able to enjoy seasonal peaches over a long period is also an attractive feature.

Peaches are also popular fruits in Taiwan, but Japanese peaches are very juicy and characterized by their melt-in-your-mouth soft texture. Because they are delicate and easily damaged, the amount exported overseas is limited, and they are known as fruits that can only be tasted in Japan.
Furthermore, in Japan, visual beauty is also valued, and peaches packed in boxes are displayed as mid-year gifts or gifts. Each peache can cost several hundred yen, and in luxury cases, it can be sold for several thousand yen, making peaches cherished by Japanese people as a "special summer gift."

In Japan, peaches reach their peak season from Jul. to Aug.. Supermarkets and department stores display colorful peaches, and there is a tradition of giving them as ochugen gifts to family and close friends. Although not widely known overseas, for Japanese people, peaches are a representative seasonal flavor that makes them feel that "summer has arrived."
Especially in Yamanashi Prefecture, peach orchards line the roads, offering a unique summer landscape. When I visited this time, peach fields appeared one after another as I approached the orchard, and participants expressed their anticipation, saying, "Peach picking is almost here."
Many repeat visitors come every year looking forward to this season, and a woman in her 80s participated in the tour introduced later. She didn't Peach picking but only enjoyed souvenirs, and her smiling words about bringing Yamanashi peaches home to her family left a strong impression.

Peach picking is not an experience you can enjoy all year round. Yamanashi Peach picking can only be enjoyed during a limited period, mainly from late Jun. to early Aug.. Since the harvest season varies by variety, the taste and texture also change depending on when you visit.
At the farm we visited this time, 'Hanayome' and 'Chiyohime' were the Peach picking targets. Both are early-maturing varieties and are characterized by a somewhat firm texture. Meanwhile, the shop also sold the popular variety 'Hikawa Hakuhou,' and many people bought it for home use or as souvenirs.

Another feature of Peach picking is that you can enjoy it regardless of the weather. Unfortunately, it rained on the day, but those who wished could enter the orchard to experience harvesting, and those who wanted to avoid the rain had pre-harvested peaches at their peak were prepared. In fact, participants commented, "I was satisfied to enjoy the peaches even in the rain," and "Eating peaches in the farm's atmosphere was delicious." Thanks to the design so you can enjoy the peach regardless of the weather, even first-timers can participate with peace of mind.

One of Taiwan's famous peach-producing areas is 'Lala Shan' in Fuxing District, Taoyuan City. Peaches grown in the high-altitude mountainous areas retain their sweetness due to the temperature differences between day and night, and in summer, many tourists visit for the Peach picking and direct sales stores.
You can enjoy Peach picking in Taiwan as well, but there aren't many bus tours that you can join from urban areas Day Trip like in Japan. Therefore, being able to easily experience Peach picking during your trip to Japan is a major attraction for travelers in Taiwan.

Yamanashi When comparing prefectural peaches and Taiwanese peaches, you can feel the difference with just one bite. Japanese peaches are known for their abundant juice, and when peeled, the juice drips and is so juicy that it drips. The soft and delicate flesh is so tender that even a slight touch can scratch it. Therefore, each peach is carefully grown. On the other hand, Taiwanese peaches have a relatively firm texture and, depending on the variety, can also enjoy a refreshing tartness.
In Japan, visual beauty is also valued, and peaches with well-shaped and colorful shapes are packed in boxes as gifts. They are often chosen as gifts for mid-year or for loved ones, making it a unique Japanese culture.

In Yamanashi, various varieties with different harvest seasons reach their peak from Jun. to Aug.. The taste and texture change depending on the time of visit, so every visit brings a different charm.

Jun. An extremely early-maturing variety harvested from late to early Jul.. Small in size, it is highly sweet, with tender flesh and rich juice to enjoy. This variety was harvested during this Peach picking, and many participants enjoyed the joy of harvesting from the trees themselves.

Yamanashi One of the prefecture's most popular varieties, it reaches its peak from around early Jul.. Its melt-in-your-mouth flesh and abundant juice characteristic of the Hakuhou family are a highlight. It is also sold at the shop of the farm I visited, and many participants were seen buying it as souvenirs.

This is a representative Japanese peach variety. It is extremely juicy, and the sweet juice bursts forth the moment you bite into it. Its soft flesh and rich aroma make it a popular gift item.

Known as a late-ripening variety, it produces large, satisfying fruits. The firm flesh offers a pleasant texture, while its rich sweetness makes it a popular gift item.

When you arrive at the peach orchard in Yamanashi, the trees are filled with peach trees that have turned red.
You can enjoy harvesting even in the rain, but on rainy days, you can skip the Peach picking and taste peaches at their peak prepared by the farm. One of the attractions of the tour is that you can enjoy it without worrying about the weather.

Peach picking In this section, staff will teach you how to identify delicious peaches. For example, while asking for points like "peaches that ripen a little away from the tree trunk are at their best to eat," you can find your own favorite. If you gently hold the peaches with both hands and lift them slightly, harvesting them will be surprisingly easy.
Freshly picked peaches are juicy and have a fresh taste you can't find at supermarkets. Choosing and harvesting your own peaches and tasting them on the spot will leave a strong impression on your journey.

On this tour, chilled peaches that have been pre-harvested and ready to eat are also available, so you can enjoy as much as you like. Freshly picked peaches are a bit firm, but those at their peak are packed with juice. It's also attractive to be able to compare different flavors.
Additionally, on this tour, you were able to take home two boxes of peaches (each box contains 5 pieces) as a souvenir. Peach picking If you still want more! If you feel that way, you can enjoy peaches at the hotel as well.
Many participants said they wanted to give souvenirs to their families or distribute them at work, and the fact that they could take home travel memories is another reason for their popularity.

This time, I joined a Day Trip bus tour departing from Tokyo. This popular course lets you depart from Tokyo in the morning, enjoy Peach picking, seasonal gourmet food, garden strolls, and sake culture in the Yamanashi, and return to Tokyo in the evening. Even peach orchards that are hard to access on individual trips can be enjoyed without worrying about transportation or reservations on a bus tour.
After the Peach picking introduced above, here are some scenes from the herb garden and lunch we enjoyed.

[Tour Name]
'Eat all the peaches of Yamanashi! 8 points of peaches! Take home 2 boxes of peaches & Peach picking 40 minutes all-you-can-eat' [Kinshicho Tokyo departure]

[Itinerary]
● Meet at Kinshicho Station and Tokyo Station
● Playing the flute Peach picking all-you-can-eat
● Herb Garden Travel Diary: Seasonal Flower Viewing at Katsunuma Garden
● Lunch with a special beef sukiyaki set meal
● Tasting experience and shopping at Sasaichi Sake Brewery
● Kinshicho Station / Tokyo Return to Station

After enjoying the Peach picking experiences mentioned above, head to the 'Herb Garden Travel Diary: Katsunuma Garden.' Seasonal flowers bloom in the garden, and when I visited, hydrangeas and lavender were in Best viewing period. You can take a leisurely walk surrounded by vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs, offering a unique Yamanashi charm different from Peach picking. The shops also offer herbal teas and blueberry juice tastings, making it a popular shopping spot.

Lunch is the 'Special Beef Sukiyaki Set.' The beef simmered in a sweet and savory warishita pairs perfectly with rice. Additionally, you can enjoy Yamanashi Local cuisine 'ozara' and 'zunda tofu.'
Ozara is a dish where cold noodles are dipped in a warm soy sauce-based sauce, making it a unique local dish of Yamanashi that's easy to enjoy even in summer. Many participants also commented, 'Ozara was delicious.' After the meal, peach sherbet was served, making your day full of peaches even more exciting.

The last place we visited was Sasai Sake Brewery, which boasts a history of over 350 years. Here, you can observe the sake brewing process and experience Japan's unique fermentation culture.
At the tasting corner, you can sample various types of sake and purchase your favorites. Juices are also available for those who don't drink alcohol or are underage, so everyone can enjoy themselves. In addition, brewery-exclusive products, sweets made with amazake (sweet rice wine), and popular amazake granola are also sold, making it a perfect place to find souvenirs.
In addition, sweets such as peach caramel and peach jelly were distributed on the bus ride home, allowing us to enjoy a day filled with peaches until the very end.

〈 About Peach picking〉
Q: Can I enjoy Peach picking even if it's my first time?
A: Yes. The farm staff will carefully teach you how to pick peaches and how to tell when they're at their best times, so even first-timers can feel at ease. Peaches can be easily harvested by simply lifting them.

Q: How many peaches can I take home?
A: Peach picking The souvenirs included in the tour vary depending on the tour. The tour we participated in this time included a peach souvenir. Please check the details of each tour content.

Q: When are peaches in season?
A: Yamanashi peaches are in season from late Jun. to around Aug.. You can enjoy a variety of varieties depending on the season, from early-maturing varieties like 'Hanayome' and 'Chiyohime' to 'Hakuhou,' 'Asama White Peach,' and 'Kawanakajima White Peach.'

〈About the Tour〉
Q: Can children and seniors participate?
A: You can participate. Couples and families mostly participate, and some people in their 80s have joined the tour multiple times. There are also repeat visitors who do not join Peach picking but come looking forward to souvenirs, showing the high popularity across a wide age range.

Q: What happens if I can't drink sake?
A: For minors or those who dislike alcohol, soft drinks such as juice are available. You can enjoy just visiting the brewery or shopping, so you don't need to drink alcohol.

〈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" anytime 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, you can. The tour operates on a Japanese basis, but important guidance is provided in English and Traditional Chinese via AI translation devices and in writing. 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 Taiwan Kansai 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))

A special experience in Japan that can only be enjoyed in summer is Peach picking in Yamanashi. You pick peaches yourself, taste as many peaches as you like when they are at their peak, and take them home as souvenirs. Additionally, you can experience various attractions in one day, including Yamanashi Local cuisine and sake culture.
Touring the peach orchards on your own can be a bit difficult due to transportation options, but with the Tokyo Day Trip bus tour, you can join without worrying about transportation or reservations.

Taiwanese travelers who participated last year also shared many comments such as, "The peaches were truly delicious," "I want to recommend them to my friends," and "The harvesting experience was enjoyable."
If you want to create summer memories during your trip to Japan, we recommend experiencing the "Peach picking" in the peach kingdom Yamanashi. Savoring seasonal peaches surrounded by a sweet aroma will surely become an unforgettable travel memory.