A fun activity for all ages, slot in a fruit picking experience on your next visit to Niseko
There’s one thing kids and kidults can agree on: fruit picking in Hokkaido is loads of fun. One of the best places to do it in Asia is summertime in Niseko. During the five-month green season from mid-May to mid-October, fruit picking thrives in its suburban areas, which is renowned for producing a wide array of fruits and vegetables.
Niki Town in Yoichi County, just an hour’s drive from Niseko, is the official fruit kingdom, offering a bounty of strawberries, cherries, grapes, and more. Along the national highway, roadside stands offer freshly harvested produce at attractive prices, and this is pretty hard to resist. Many places also provide local delivery, so it’s easy to share these delights with friends and family!
Numerous orchards also welcome visitors for a fee, offering various fruit-picking experiences — from all-you-can-eat options to picking by weight.
FRUIT CALENDAR
| Fruits | Time |
| Strawberries | Mid-May to late June |
| Cherries | Late June to early August |
| Blueberries | Late July to mid-August |
| Plums | Early August to early September |
| Grapes | Late August to mid-October |
| Prunes | Late August to early October |
| Apples | Mid-September to late October |
| Pears | Early October to mid-October |
In June, Niki Town hosts the Cherry Festival to celebrate its specialty cherries, featuring events like cherry seed-spitting contests, cherry sales of local varieties, and a cherry exhibition. Later in September, the Niki Fruit & Wine Marathon invites participants to enjoy local fruits and wines amidst the scenic backdrop of Niki Town.
WHERE TO STAY
Niki Town, a small community of around 3,000 residents, sits between Niseko and Otaru City, approximately an hour’s drive from Niseko. Nearby Yoichi Town is renowned for Nikka Whisky and wineries, offering a complementary visit experience.
Niseko offers diverse accommodation options including luxurious condominium hotels like The Vale Niseko, Intuition Niseko, Niseko Kyo, Terrazze and more. Bringing a bigger group in tow? Grand chalets like Tsubasa at Hanaridge and Corniche Hirafu is your best bet. Whichever Niseko accommodation you choose, it will serve as an ideal hub for exploring the surrounding attractions, activities, and festivals during the summer season.
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