There is a spot in Hayataka, Kurashiki City, where you can go strawberry picking.
The spot is called “Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm.”
At Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm, you can pick seasonal strawberries grown using elevated cultivation and enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberries.
Because the strawberries are grown on elevated beds, you can enjoy picking them in a comfortable position without having to crouch.
Be sure to savor the sweetness of fully ripened strawberries.
This article introduces the appeal of Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm.
The information presented was current when this article was published in January 2024. Please note that it may differ from the current information.
What is Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm?
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm is about a 10-minute drive from the Hayashima Interchange on the Seto-Chuo Expressway.
It reportedly opened in 1996, 27 years ago, inspired by the desire to grow strawberries.
Another reason for opening was that there were few places where people could go strawberry picking at the time.
The farm was founded with the hope that visitors would enjoy fully ripened strawberries by picking them themselves.
About 15,000 strawberry plants line the greenhouses.
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm grows two varieties of strawberries and uses a cultivation method called elevated cultivation.
▼The two varieties are as follows:
- Akihime
- Star Night
What is elevated cultivation?
Simply put, elevated cultivation is a method of growing strawberries about one meter above the ground.
Unlike soil cultivation, in which strawberry plants are planted directly in the ground, this method grows them at a raised height while supplying them with nutrient solution.
With elevated cultivation, you can pick strawberries at about waist height.
They’re easier to pick than those growing lower down.
With soil cultivation, strawberries growing close to the ground may get dirty with soil, but that is not a concern with elevated cultivation.
Now, let’s take a look at the two strawberry varieties grown at Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm.
Akihime
Akihime is a strawberry variety developed by Hagiwara Akihiro of Shizuoka Prefecture.
It was registered as a variety in 1992, and the “aki” in Akihime comes from the developer’s name.
It is characterized by its elongated, conical shape.
While most strawberries have a broad, conical shape, Akihime is long and narrow.
It is said to be a strawberry with little acidity and a pronounced sweetness.
Star Night
Star Night is a strawberry variety developed by Miyoshi Agritech Co., Ltd.
It was reportedly named with the hopes that it would “shine like the countless stars in the night sky” and “forge ahead like a knight in the coming warring-states era of strawberries.”
It is conical in shape, red all over, and glossy.
It is also said to have a good balance of high sugar content and acidity.
Direct sales of strawberries
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm offers direct sales of strawberries as well as strawberry picking.
When the writer visited, strawberry-picking season had not yet started, and only strawberries were being sold directly.
Direct sales begin at 10 a.m., and it seems you can call to have strawberries set aside.
However, it seems they do not accept reservations the day before; you can only have strawberries set aside on the day, so please keep that in mind.
The strawberries seem to grow larger the earlier their flowers bloom, and the strawberries in the photo were from the second bloom.
Each strawberry is very large and looks delicious.
The small cafe on the farm, “Ichigoto”
The farm also has an attached cafe called “Ichigoto.”
Ichigoto sells parfaits, drinks, and other items made with strawberries grown at the farm.
Looking at the strawberries made me want to try some, so I ordered Ichigoto Condensed Milk Strawberries and an Ichigoto Latte and enjoyed them right away.
Ichigoto Condensed Milk Strawberries are cut into easy-to-eat pieces and topped with plenty of condensed milk.
Strawberries and condensed milk go well together.
There are also plenty of strawberries, so I think strawberry lovers will find them irresistible.
The Ichigoto Latte is made with milk and syrup containing strawberry pulp.
It is quite sweet, making it a recommended drink for those who like sweet things.
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm offers not only strawberry picking, but also direct sales and a cafe.
We spoke with the farm’s representative, Yasuhara Masashi, and his daughter, Yasuhara Kana.
Interview with Yasuhara, representative of Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm opened in 1996.
We asked its representative, Yasuhara, about the farm and his thoughts on strawberries.
This interview was conducted during our first visit in February 2023.
The farm’s history and features
Could you tell us how the farm got started?
Yasuhara (surname only)
We opened in 1996, 27 years ago.
It all started with my desire to grow strawberries.
Also, there weren’t many places offering strawberry picking at the time, so I wanted to offer strawberry picking.
And through strawberry picking, I wanted many people to enjoy fully ripened strawberries.
Strawberries sold at the market are completely different from fully ripened strawberries.
What would you say are the farm’s selling points?
Yasuhara
Our selling point is our growing method, known as elevated-bed cultivation.
The strawberries grow hanging above the ground, so they stay clean.
With the traditional method (soil cultivation), soil could get on the strawberries when people walked through the fields, but with this method, they hardly ever get dirty.
Strawberry Varieties and How to Eat Them
How many varieties of strawberries do you grow at the farm?
Yasuhara
We grow two varieties: Akihime and Star Night.
Akihime strawberries are soft and not very tart.
Star Night is a well-balanced variety with both sweetness and tartness.
About how many strawberry varieties are there in Okayama Prefecture?
Yasuhara
There are about 10 strawberry varieties in Okayama Prefecture.
Farmers do exchange ideas, but there isn't much of a push for everyone to grow the same variety.
Each farmer grows the varieties they like.
Okayama is currently developing a new local strawberry brand, “Hare Ichigo,” based on a variety called “Oi C Berry.”
I imagine JA Zen-Noh (National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations) would like farmers to grow Hare Ichigo, but in reality, the harvest volume is small.
So farmers each grow the varieties they like, and for strawberry picking, we grow Akihime and Star Night so visitors can compare them.
Is there a particularly good way to eat strawberries?
Yasuhara
The pointed tip of a strawberry is the tastiest part.
I recommend removing the stem and eating it starting from the stem end.
That way, you can enjoy it right to the last bite.
What Strawberries Mean to Me and What I Want to Do Next
Tell us how you feel about the strawberry farm and strawberries.
Yasuhara
All I want is for customers to enjoy delicious strawberries.
When strawberries are shipped through the usual channels, it's difficult to eat them fully ripe.
They have to be picked early and shipped to market.
This is true of any fruit: fully ripe fruit really does taste best.
I think strawberry picking is the way to enjoy them that way.
For me, strawberries are both my livelihood and something I love.
Is there anything you'd like to try in the future?
Yasuhara
Fresh lychees.
I hear they're grown in some parts of Okinawa and Kyushu.
The lychees served at buffets and all-you-can-eat restaurants are usually frozen.
Fresh lychees are completely different from frozen ones.
They're apparently much juicier and incredibly delicious than frozen ones.
It takes three years for them to grow.
It's been a year now, so it'll take about two more.
Lately, I'm looking forward to seeing when the lychees will be ready.
Interview with His Daughter, Yasuhara Kana
We also spoke with Yasuhara Kana, Mr. Yasuhara's daughter.
Kana works at “Ichigoto,” the cafe at Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm.
The History and Features of Ichigoto
What varieties of strawberries do you use at the cafe?
Yasuhara Kana
At Ichigoto, we make everything using only the strawberries available that day.
If we only have Akihime, we use only Akihime; if we have both varieties, we mix them.
So the strawberries we use vary from day to day.
When did you start Ichigoto?
Yasuhara Kana
We started two years ago, in 2021.
My father and mother run the strawberry farm, and I run the cafe.
Her Thoughts
What's it like working together as a family?
Yasuhara Kana
I've known what my parents do for work since I was young, but working alongside them on the farm made me realize that there are many detailed, delicate tasks.
The way we work changes depending on the weather and temperature that day.
For example, when the temperature drops and the indoor temperature falls even a little, the plants react and grow differently.
After trying it myself, I really felt that it is delicate work.
At the same time, I came to think, “My parents are amazing.”
From the Writer
At Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm, strawberries are grown using elevated-bed cultivation, so you can enjoy them clean and untouched by the ground.
Seeing the strawberry farm and its strawberries, I could feel their desire to let customers enjoy delicious strawberries.
Whether you love strawberries or sweets, be sure to visit if you get the chance.
You can enjoy fully ripe strawberries that are different from the ones you usually eat.
Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm Information
| Name | Yasuhara Tourist Strawberry Farm |
|---|---|
| Address | 433 Hayataka, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-482-0990 |
| Parking | Available |
| Hours | Open from January to mid-May 10:00 a.m. (until the ripe strawberries run out) |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Please call the day before to confirm growing conditions. Reservations for small groups are not accepted. |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Japanese-style toilet |
| Website | Yasuhara Strawberry Farm |
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