Melon picking in Ibaraki
- Ibaraki
- Experience Gifu
Melon picking? I didn't know such luxury existed!
Melons are often thought of as a luxury item, but thanks to improvements in breeding and cultivation techniques, the sweet and juicy Ibaraki melon is now available at a reasonable price! Ibaraki melons are more familiar as a fruit than in other prefectures...perhaps that is why there are melon farms in Ibaraki where you can pick melons. According to some people, regular visitors make reservations for melon picking even before the new year. In this issue, we will introduce a melon farm where those in the know can experience picking melons!
Melons in Ibaraki*!
Three popular varieties in early summer
Andes is a standard early summer melon. Its name is derived from "Anshin Desu Melon" (It's safe, it's a melon)! It is a popular variety because its taste and aroma are close to muskmelon and it is reasonably priced. It has a thick pulp and a firm sweetness.
◆Ibaraki King <Harvest period: late April to mid-June>
This is a new variety developed after more than 10 years of research. It is characterized by its large, fragrant, refreshing sweetness and fine flesh. It is also good to eat for a long period of time because it keeps well for a long time.
◆Quincy <Harvest period: mid-May to late June>
Quincy is characterized by its elegant sweetness and smooth pulp. Both green and red flesh are available, and both are high in nutritional value, but the red flesh is said to be richer in β-carotene.
Tips for finding melons that are ready to eat!
For melons that are ready to eat, look for ones with withered leaves!
Melons usually sold in stores are picked early, before they are ripe, and you have to wait until they are ready to eat, but there is no waiting time in the fields! Let's find the ones that are ready to eat now and enjoy them!
Ears information
A melon picking farm in Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture*.
(1) Minami Fruit Growing
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Varieties: Otome-melon, Takami (blue flesh), Takami (red flesh), Lennon (red flesh)
Period: June 1 to June 30, 2022
Reservations:Call 0291-37-1049
Location: 365 Tsuchikama, Hokota-shi, Ibaraki
Access: 10 min. by cab from Kashima Rinkai Railway Oarai-Kashima line "Dry river bed" station
From the Mito Oarai IC of the Higashi Mito Road, take Route 21 toward Kashima (approx. 20 min.).
(2) Forest Park Melon Forest
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Kind:Hokota, Yuuki, Sayaka, Princess Hitachihime, Sai no Shizuku, Yumemaro
Season:Early summer: May 3 to July 3, 2022 Autumn: Early September to late October, 2022
Reservations:Direct phone: 0291-33-2858 or direct fax: 0291-32-5538 (only during the exhibition period)
Location: 1623-1, Awa, Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Access: 25 min. from Mito Oarai IC of Higashi-Mito Road
(3) Fukasaku Farm
Fukasaku Farm is not holding a harvesting experience this year, but those who purchase a melon with VR will receive a special offer to view a "VR melon picking" video. This is the first attempt to film this VR melon picking in Japan!
The melons to be harvested are the most delicious melons of the season, and the most popular varieties are "Ibaraking" and "Melody Green.