Japan's thirst for the nation's favorite red fruit is unabated with seasonal pick-your-own strawberry farms as popular as ever. Kansai's Kinishiwada Farm is entering its final week of peak strawberry season, which means it is your final chance this year to go and gorge yourself in all-you-can-eat fashion on strawberries.
While many countries boast of having the world's best strawberries, perhaps no country does this more than Japan. Even if determining the best tasting strawberry is a bit arbitrary, Japan almost certainly holds the accolade for the most expensive basket of the adored fruit. In 2009, it was discovered that one packet of strawberries cost an astonishing ¥40,000 in Tokyo. Thankfully, 30 minutes of strawberry picking at Kinishiwada Farm is only ¥1,300 for an adult. For strawberry-buffs the farm offers the Nyoho variety of strawberry, famed for its sweet yet tart taste.
If you have enough room in your stomachs following a berry-picking session make the trip more of an event with a BBQ. Order your "strawberry and BBQ set" on arrival and an array of meats and vegetables are offered for a postpick feast.
Kishiwada Farm is open May 28 and 29 from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. Take the Mizuma Line to Mizuma Kannon Station. Admission costs ¥1,300 for adults and ¥800 for kids under 6. A BBQ set for two costs ¥3,200. For details, visit kishiwada-f.jp.