The Tamashima area of Kurashiki City is one of the regions where fruit cultivation is particularly active in the fruit kingdom of Okayama.
The Yashima district, located in the northwest of Shin-Kurashiki Station, has been a peach-producing area since ancient times, and in spring, the peach blossoms cover the mountainsides in a sea of pink.
We interviewed Shoji Namba, the representative of "Namba Farm," who is struggling to take over the family business after leaving his job as a bank employee, about his new initiatives as a young producer.
Introduction to Namba Farm
The history of Namba Farm began over 60 years ago when the current owner’s grandfather started peach cultivation in the Yashima district of Tamashima, Kurashiki City. Since then, they have continued to focus on producing peaches with high sugar content.
In 2019, the business was taken over by Shoji Namba, the grandson of the founder and the third-generation owner.
After graduating from university, he worked as a bank employee for six years before leaving his job to dive into the world of agriculture.
Since taking over the family business, he has not only focused on peach cultivation but has also started cultivating lemons, actively engaging in direct sales through online shopping and participating in various local markets.
Currently, Shoji and his parents cultivate six varieties of peaches on about 1 hectare (approximately 100m square) and three varieties of lemons on about 20 ares (approximately 45m square).
About the fruit trees being cultivated
Namba Farm cultivates the following fruit trees and varieties.
Peaches
They grow six varieties of peaches, ranging from extremely early varieties to late varieties, as well as winter peaches that are shipped towards the end of the year.
| Variety | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Hanayome | An extremely early variety. It is characterized by its small and cute appearance. The flesh is soft, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity, juicy, and has a refined aroma. |
| Hikawa Hakuto | An early variety. The skin is a deep red color, and the flesh is low in fiber, rich in juice, and juicy. |
| Hakuto | It is characterized by its dense and soft flesh, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. It also has good shelf life and is popular as a delicious peach. |
| Shimizu Hakuto | A representative white peach of Okayama Prefecture, characterized by its rich aroma. The skin is a refined milky white, and the flesh is juicy and sweet. |
| Hakurei | A variety developed in Okayama Prefecture, characterized by its large size, high sugar content, and low bitterness. |
| Winter Peach | A rare variety of peach harvested from November to December. Compared to summer peaches, they are smaller and have a firmer texture, but they are sweet and aromatic, making them popular for year-end gifts. |
Extremely Early
A variety with a very short period from flowering to harvest
Early
A variety with a short period from flowering to harvest
Late
A variety with a long period from flowering to harvest
Peach harvesting (excluding winter peaches) continues from June to August.
Lemons
They cultivate three varieties of lemons.
| Variety | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | A variety with a strong aroma and acidity, allowing you to enjoy the typical lemon flavor. |
| Eureka | A high-yield variety with a strong aroma and acidity. |
| Meyer | A variety characterized by its mild acidity and bitterness, with a slightly sweet aroma. |
Lemon harvesting continues over a long period from autumn to the following spring.
Introduction to processed fruit products
When cultivating peaches and lemons, substandard products that cannot be sold as is occur.
To make effective use of these, Namba Farm is also focusing on product development for processed goods, including white peach amazake.
We spoke with Shoji Namba, the third-generation owner of Namba Farm, about his commitment to fruit tree cultivation, product development, and new things he would like to try in the future.
Data on Namba Farm
| Name | Namba Farm |
|---|---|
| Address | 2038-1 Yashima, Tamashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-1351-3819 |
| Website | Namba Farm |
