(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Have you tried strawberry picking? If not, you are missing out!
Every strawberry season, between January and May, several Okinawa farms open their doors for strawberry picking and eating.
These locally produced strawberries are on another level. You haven’t tasted the incredible sweetness of a strawberry if you haven’t tried one picked straight from the plant.
In Japan, strawberries are commonly recognized as a winter fruit and are stocked on supermarket shelves starting in December. Most of the red berries come from the mainland and include varieties like Tochiotome of Tochigi and Amaou of Fukuoka. Local Okinawa strawberries are hard to find but are worth a try.
According to Okinawa Times, strawberry farming started in Ginoza Village near Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab in 2003. Prior to this, farmers did not attempt to grow the berries due to the UV rays and high temperatures on the subtropical island. Sometime over 20 years ago, the attempt was made and now the village boasts about 10 strawberry farms.
Many of these farms lack language support, but there are some that welcome English-speaking visitors. MCCS Tours+ also offers trips to visit some of the local farms to enjoy a nice day of strawberry picking.
Don’t miss out on strawberry-picking this season! It’s berry sweet and delicious!
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
strawberries (Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
strawberries (Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Strawberry picking tour by MCCS Tours+
Date: Feb. 16 (Sun)
Time: 9 – 1 p.m.
Fees: $43 for adult, $30 for child (ages between 7 and 11), $18 for child (ages between 2 and 6), free for 1 year old and under.
For more info, check out MCCS Tours+ at (https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/dining-entertainment/tours/on-island-tours), or (https://www.facebook.com/mccsokinawa.toursplus/)
Local strawberry farms
Chura Ichigo
GPS Coordinates: 26.157810, 127.789080
Fees: 2,500 yen for junior high students or age 13+, 1,800 yen for elementary school students or ages between 6 and 12, 1,300 yen for preschool age (age 3+) or seniors (age 75+), guests with disabilities.
*Reservation required.
Website: https://www.chura-ichigo.jp/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churaichigo/
Bamse Farm
GPS Coordinates: 26.480895, 127.953377
Fees for all-you-can-eat for 40 minutes: 2,000 yen for adults (13 years old and above), 1,500 yen for ages between 7 and 12, 1,000 yen for ages between 2 and 6, 1,500 yen for seniors (75 years old and over, ID to prove age is needed)
*Reservation required.
Website: https://www.bamsefarm.com/
