There is a spot for strawberry picking in Hayataka, Kurashiki City.
The name of that spot is Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm.
At Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm, you can harvest seasonal strawberries grown using high-rise cultivation and experience all-you-can-eat strawberries.
Thanks to the high-rise cultivation, you can enjoy strawberry picking in a comfortable posture without having to squat.
Please savor the sweetness of fully ripe strawberries.
This article will introduce the charm of "Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm".
What is Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm?
Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm is located about 10 minutes by car from the Hayashima Interchange on the Seto Chuo Expressway.
It was opened 27 years ago in 1996, born from the desire to "want to grow strawberries".
At that time, there were not many places where you could go strawberry picking, which was also a trigger for opening the farm.
The desire is to let people taste fully ripe strawberries through strawberry picking.
Inside the house, there are about 15,000 strawberry seedlings lined up.
At Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm, two types of strawberries are grown using the high-rise cultivation method.
▼ The two types of strawberries are as follows.
- Akihime
- Star Night
What is high-rise cultivation?
High-rise cultivation can be simply expressed as a method of growing strawberries about 1 meter above the ground.
Unlike soil cultivation, where strawberry seedlings are planted directly in the soil, high-rise cultivation is done while providing nutrient solution at a high position.
With high-rise cultivation, you can pick strawberries at a height of waist level when strawberry picking.
It is easier to pick than picking from a lower position.
Also, with soil cultivation, strawberries that ripen close to the ground may get dirt on them, but with high-rise cultivation, there is no such worry.
Now, let’s introduce the two types of strawberries grown at Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm.
Akihime
Akihime is a strawberry developed by Akihiro Hagiwara from Shizuoka Prefecture.
It was registered as a variety in 1992, and the "Aki" in Akihime comes from the name of the developer.
The fruit is characterized by its long conical shape.
While most strawberries are wide and conical, Akihime has a long conical shape.
It is said to have little acidity and a strong sweetness.
Star Night
Star Night is a strawberry variety developed by Miyoshi Agritech Co., Ltd.
It is said to have been named with the hope that it would "shine like the stars in the night sky" and that it would "pave the way for the coming era of strawberry warfare like a knight."
The shape is conical, with a bright red color and a glossy appearance.
Additionally, it is said to have a good balance of high sugar content and acidity.
Direct sales of strawberries
At Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm, not only can you enjoy strawberry picking, but they also offer "direct sales of strawberries".
When I visited, strawberry picking had not yet started, and only direct sales were available.
Sales start at 10 AM, and it seems they can hold strawberries for you if you call.
However, it seems they do not accept reservations for the previous day, so only same-day holds are possible, so be careful.
It seems that strawberries grow larger when the flowers bloom first, and the strawberries in the image are from the second flower.
Each strawberry looks very large and delicious.
The small café "Ichigoto" in the garden
There is a café called Ichigoto located in the garden.
At Ichigoto, they sell parfaits and drinks made with strawberries harvested from the farm.
Seeing the strawberries made me want to eat them, so I ordered Ichigoto condensed milk and strawberry latte and enjoyed them right away.
Ichigoto condensed milk consists of strawberries cut into easy-to-eat sizes topped with plenty of condensed milk.
The combination of strawberries and condensed milk is excellent.
Also, since it contains plenty of strawberries, I think it will be irresistible for strawberry lovers.
Strawberry latte is made with syrup containing strawberry pulp and milk.
It has a solid sweetness and is a recommended drink for those who love sweet things.
At Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm, you can enjoy not only strawberry picking but also direct sales and the café.
I spoke with Mr. Masashi Yasuhara (Yasuhara Masashi), the representative of Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm, and his daughter Kana Yasuhara (Yasuhara Kana).
Interview with Mr. Yasuhara, the representative of Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm
Yasuhara Kanko Strawberry Farm was opened in 1996.
I asked Mr. Yasuhara about the strawberry farm and his thoughts on strawberries.
The interview is based on the content from the initial interview conducted in February 2023.
History and features of the strawberry farm
Please tell us about the background of the opening.
Yasuhara (no honorifics)
We opened 27 years ago in 1996.
The origin is that I wanted to grow strawberries.
At that time, there were few places for strawberry picking, so I wanted to do strawberry picking.
And I wanted many people to taste fully ripe strawberries through strawberry picking.
Fully ripe strawberries are completely different from those available in the market.
Please tell us about the selling points of the strawberry farm.
Yasuhara
The selling point is the cultivation method called high-rise cultivation.
Since strawberries hang from a high place above the ground, they look beautiful.
In traditional methods (soil cultivation), there were times when soil would stick when people walked, but with this method, there is almost no soil sticking.
Types of Strawberries and How to Eat Them
How many types of strawberries are there in the strawberry farm?
Yasuhara
There are two types: Akihime and Star Night.
Akihime has less acidity and is a soft strawberry.
Star Night has both sweetness and acidity, making it a well-balanced variety.
How many varieties of strawberries are there in Okayama Prefecture?
Yasuhara
There are about 10 varieties of strawberries in Okayama Prefecture.
While there is interaction among farmers, there isn't much effort to grow the same variety together.
Each farmer grows their favorite variety.
Currently, in Okayama, we are creating a new brand of prefectural strawberries called Harei Strawberry (Harei Ichigo), based on the variety "Oishi C Berry."
JA Zen-Noh (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation) would like farmers to grow "Harei Strawberry," but in reality, the harvest volume is small.
Therefore, farmers are growing their favorite varieties, and we are cultivating Akihime and Star Night for strawberry picking, allowing for taste comparisons.
Is there a delicious way to eat strawberries?
Yasuhara
The tip of the strawberry is the most delicious part.
I recommend removing the stem and eating from the side where the stem was attached.
This way, you can enjoy the taste until the very end.
Thoughts on Strawberries and Future Aspirations
Please tell us your thoughts on the strawberry farm and strawberries.
Yasuhara
My only wish is for customers to eat delicious strawberries.
It is difficult to eat fully ripe strawberries when they are shipped normally.
They are inevitably harvested young and shipped to the market.
As with any fruit, the taste of fully ripe fruit is truly delicious.
I believe that strawberry picking allows for that.
For me, strawberries are both a source of livelihood and something I love.
Is there anything you would like to try in the future?
Yasuhara
Fresh lychee.
I hear that some are grown in parts of Okinawa and Kyushu.
Usually, what is served at buffets and such is frozen lychee.
Fresh lychee is completely different from frozen ones.
It is said to be much juicier and incredibly delicious compared to frozen ones.
It takes about three years to grow.
Since a year has passed, it will take about two more years.
I am looking forward to when the lychee will be ready.
Interview with Yasuhara's Daughter, Kana
I spoke with Yasuhara's daughter, Kana Yasuhara.
Kana works at the café "Ichigoto" inside Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm.
History and Features of Ichigoto
What type of strawberries are used in the café?
Kana Yasuhara (no honorifics)
At Ichigoto, we only use the strawberries that are available on that day.
If there are only Akihime, we make it with just Akihime, and if both types are available, we mix the two types.
Therefore, the strawberries used change depending on the day.
When did Ichigoto start?
Kana Yasuhara
It started two years ago in 2021.
The strawberry farm is run by my father and mother, while the café is run by me.
Daughter's Thoughts
What is it like to work together as a family?
Kana Yasuhara
I have known my parents' work since I was young, but while working together on the farm, I realized that there are many detailed and delicate tasks.
The methods change depending on the weather and temperature of the day.
For example, if the temperature drops and the indoor temperature decreases even slightly, the plants react and their growth changes.
I felt that it is a delicate job.
At the same time, I began to think, "That's amazing" about my parents.
Conclusion
At Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm, strawberries are grown using high-rise cultivation, allowing visitors to enjoy strawberries in a clean state without touching the ground.
Seeing the strawberry farm and strawberries, I felt the desire to have customers eat delicious strawberries.
If you love strawberries or sweet things, please take the opportunity to visit.
You can taste fully ripe strawberries that are different from the ones you usually eat.
Data on Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm
| Name | Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm |
|---|---|
| Address | 433 Hayataka, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-482-0990 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | Open from January to mid-May 10 AM (until ripe strawberries run out) |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Possible Confirmation of growth status by phone the day before is required. Reservations for small groups are not accepted. |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Japanese-style toilet |
| Website | Yasuhara Strawberry Farm |
