Orchard Picnic
Dainty Lunch in the Shade of the Apple Trees
Imagine sauntering among hundreds of fruit trees with a picnic hamper in hand, the majestic silhouette of the Alps rising in the background. You can pick a spot in the shade of an apple tree, lay your blanket, and feast on an exquisite lunch.
It seems like a scene out of a movie, doesn’t it? Well, here in Matsukawa you can experience it for real and live out your picnic fantasy.
About
With a fruit farming history going back 100 years and over 600 orchards, Matsukawa is one of Japan’s major fruit destinations.
From early June to late November, tree branches ripen with all kinds of fruit. Cherries, blueberries, plums, prunes, and peaches in the summer. All kinds of pears and apples in the fall.
And if the prospect of sweet, juicy fruit is not enough to entice you, Matsukawa also offers some of the loveliest sceneries imaginable. The majestic silhouettes of the Japanese Alps rise in the background while the elegant mass of the well-pruned orchards stretch in all directions as far as the eye can see.
Book our picnic and drop by one of Matsukawa’s well-kept orchards for one afternoon of leisure. We will provide everything you need for the perfect picnic, from a waterproof blanket to a hamper full of delicious treats, so all you have to do is show up.
・Cherries: June
・Peach: Mid of July to August
・Prunes: End of July to the Beginning of September
・Plums: Beginning of August to the Beginning of September
・Japanese Pears: End of August to End of October
・Apples: End of August to End of November
・Grapes: Beginning of September to Mid of October
Schedule
Reserve
Look up our host farms and pick one you like.
Pick up your picnic basket
Stop by Matsukawa Tourism Center to receive your picnic blanket and your basket. You can come anytime between 11:00 and 13:00.
The basket has everything you need, from dishware to napkins, so you only need to bring a bottle of water or some other drink.
3.Head to the host farm
Get in the car and go to the host farm you picked at the reservation.
The farmer will welcome you and show you the facilities.
There is no time restraint to your visit to the orchard, so we recommend you take your time and relax. Pick one spot you fancy under the tangled branches of a pear tree grove or in the shade of a thick apple tree, lay out your blanket, and enjoy.
Some orchards sell their own juice, cider, and wine. So why not buy a bottle to accompany your lunch?
After eating, you can lay back on the blanket and relish the fragrant air and balmy wind. And if you get a bit hungry, you can go fruit picking. (Please pay the orchard directly if you decide to give fruit picking a try)
You can stay at the orchard until closing time (16:00).
4.Return the basket and blanket to the farmer
Please roll up the blanket and put the used dishes back in the basket. Leave everything at the farm and head to your next destination.
(Orchard Stay) 11:00～16:00
What is on the menu?
Of course, when it comes to a successful picnic, food and location go hand in hand. Our menu features gourmet food prepared with the freshest, locally sourced products, such as seasonal fruit and vegetables from Matsukawa’s orchards, tender pork raised in the area, and freshwater fish.
Inside your hand-crafted picnic basket, you will find
*As we use seasonal ingredients, the menu changes depending on what time of the year you visit.
The minimum number of participants is two adults.
Each adult needs to order a portion, but children can share their parents’ meals.
Price
3,000 Yen per meal
for 2 to 10 people
Host Farms
Below you can find the list of host farms you can choose from.
Marukame Orchard
Spanning approximately 6,000 tsubo (about 4.9 acres or 2 hectares), Marukame Orchard cultivates a variety of fruits year-round. It’s also home to established fruit trees, including apple trees over 60 years old, as well as pear and plum trees. We invite you to experience the carefully tended ambiance of “an orchard as it should be.”
● Apple Harvest: Late August – Until the end of November
- Apple cider and juice available for sale
- Pets allowed (medium-sized dogs up to 10kg)
Kayama Farm
Accessible mainly by private car (large buses cannot reach the orchard), Kayama Farm is ideal for fully enjoying fruit picking. As an environmentally conscious agricultural operator, they cultivate cherries (10 varieties), Muscat grapes, and apples (12 varieties) with minimal pesticides and no chemical fertilizers.
- Juice available for sale
- Pets allowed
Fruits Farm Yoneyama
Nestled in the hills at an altitude of 650 meters, Fruits Farm Yoneyama was first cultivated by the second-generation owner in the Showa 40s (1965-1974), who began growing Japanese pears, apples, blueberries, and European pears. The third generation has since introduced cherry cultivation. They continuously strive to evolve and deepen their expertise in apple and cherry cultivation techniques.
●Blueberry Harvest: Mid-June – Late July
●Apple Harvest: Late August – Late October
- Juice available for sale
- Pets allowed (medium-sized dogs only)
Apple Hills Farm
Apple Hill Farm’s Fuji apple cultivation has continued for 60 years. By using minimal pesticides, they produce fruit that is gentler on both nature and people. In recent years, Apple Hill Farm has also begun to expand its cultivation of cherries and peaches. The orchard is located in a secluded spot, slightly off the main road.
● Blueberry Picking: Late June – Mid-July
● Peach Picking: Mid-July – Late July
● Apple Picking: October
- Juice & Apple Cider for Sale
- Pets Allowed
Yuzawa Farm
Mr. Hideki, the third-generation owner, took over the family’s agritourism farm at the age of 20 and has now been dedicated to it for 27 years. With a singular focus on farming, he is committed to providing guests with healing and moments of surprise.
● Apple & Pear Picking: September – November
- Juice & Apple Cider for Sale
- Pets Allowed
Marutomo Okuda Farm
Jokingly described by the owner, Mr. Okuda, as having “nothing particularly special, but the gentle sounds of birdsong and the earthy scent of the soil.” The fruit trees swaying softly in the breeze and the white clouds drifting lazily overhead are sure to provide visitors with a peaceful and healing experience.
- Juice & Apple Cider for Sale
- Pets Allowed
FAQ
What happens if it rains?
In case of rain, we will arrange the picnic at an orchard provided with a roofed space.
※ The picnic will be cancelled if there is a chance of extremely bad weather, like typhoons, heavy rain and flood warnings, and other emergency situations.
What is the cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation by the guest, the following policy will apply.
10~2 days prior: 30% of total amount
1 day prior: 50% of total amount
Day of using: 100% of total amount
Do you cater for special diets and allergies?
Please inform us well in advance and we will change our menu accordingly. (Please be aware that we don’t have a separate set of pans and dishes dedicated to people with allergies. )