Aomori Apples

applesAomoriorchardsapple pickingapple pieHirosaki

Photo: 岩浪陸 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Aomori Prefecture produces over 50% of Japan's apples, with vast orchards blanketing the countryside around Hirosaki and Aomori City. The region's cool climate, long daylight hours, and fertile volcanic soil create ideal conditions for apple cultivation, introduced in the 1870s during Meiji-era modernization. The most famous variety is Fuji apples (developed in Aomori in the 1960s), now grown worldwide, known for their large size, crisp texture, and balanced sweet-tart flavor.

Visitors can experience apple picking at numerous orchards (typically September-November). Most farms offer all-you-can-eat picking for ¥500-1,000 — you pick apples directly from trees and eat on-site. The apples are exceptionally fresh, with varieties unavailable outside Japan (Orin, Jonagold, Mutsu). Many orchards sell apple products: fresh-pressed cider, apple jam, dried apple chips, and apple pies.

Hirosaki is particularly famous for its apple pies — bakeries compete to create unique variations (crumble-top, custard-filled, caramelized). The 'Hirosaki Apple Pie Guide Map' lists 40+ shops offering distinct recipes, turning apple pie into a pilgrimage route for sweets lovers.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Orchards: September–November | Most shops: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed: Apple picking season September–November only; orchards closed rest of year

Entrance Fee

Apple picking: ¥500–1,000 (30–60 min all-you-can-eat) | Apple pie shops: ¥300–700 per slice

Best Season

October (peak Fuji and Jonagold harvest) | September for early Tsugaru variety

Visit Duration

2-3 hours (orchard visit + apple pie hopping in Hirosaki)

Getting There

Access Information

Apple orchards throughout Aomori Prefecture, concentrated around Hirosaki. Season: September-November (peak September for early varieties, October-November for Fuji). Apple picking: ¥500-1,000 for 30-60 minute all-you-can-eat. Hirosaki apple pie shops: ¥300-700 per slice. Many orchards accessible by rental car; some offer pickup from Hirosaki Station (reserve ahead).

Insider Guide

Premium

**Apple picking timing:** Early September features Tsugaru apples (crisp, slightly tart). Late September to October offers Jonagold and Orin (sweet, aromatic). November is Fuji apple harvest — these store for months and are the export variety. Call ahead to confirm which varieties are ripe during your visit. Weekday visits have minimal crowds; weekends are busy with local families. **Recommended orchards:** Tanaka Apple Farm (田中りんご園, from Hirosaki) offers English-speaking staff, clean facilities, and pick-your-own (¥600, 30 minutes, eat on-site). Momoyama Kanko Orchard (桃山観光果樹園, near Aomori City) has a wider variety of apples and includes pear picking in early autumn. Many orchards sell farm-direct apples at ¥100-200 per apple (vs. ¥300-500 in Tokyo supermarkets). **Apple pie guide:** Hirosaki's 'Apple Pie Guide Map' (available at Hirosaki Station tourist office) lists 40+ bakeries and cafes. Top picks: Patisserie Yamazaki (洋菓子山崎) for classic French-style tart with custard and caramelized apples (¥550); Cafe Anjo (カフェ安城) for crumble-top pie with vanilla ice cream (¥700); Daisen Kobo (大山工房) for rustic whole-apple pie wrapped in pastry. Allow 2-3 hours to 'pie hop' between 3-4 shops — most are within walking/biking distance in central Hirosaki. **Apple cider:** Kimori Brewery (キモリ, Hirosaki) produces craft hard cider from 100% Aomori apples — dry, crisp, 6-7% ABV. Tastings available at their brewery shop (¥500 for 3 tastings, keep the glass). Their sparkling cider is award-winning and makes an excellent souvenir (¥1,800 per 750ml bottle). Non-alcoholic apple cider (pressed juice) is sold at orchards and roadside stands — incredibly fresh and flavorful. **Seasonal festivals:** The Hirosaki Apple Park hosts the Apple Harvest Festival in November with apple tastings, cooking demonstrations, and apple-themed crafts. Free entry, held outdoors at Hirosaki Castle Park. The Aomori Apple & Food Festival (early November, Aomori City) features 50+ apple product vendors and apple-picking shuttles to nearby orchards. **Take-home:** Aomori apples are available at New Chitose Airport (if connecting through Sapporo) and major Tokyo stations. Buy farm-direct in Aomori for best prices — vendors will box apples for travel (¥2,000-3,000 for 10-15 apples, will last 2-3 weeks). Dried apple chips (¥500-800 per bag) and apple jam (¥600-1,000 per jar) are lighter souvenirs. **Cultural note:** Apple cultivation transformed Aomori's economy in the early 20th century. The prefecture's cold climate made rice farming marginal, but apples thrived. Today, apple income supports tens of thousands of families. The Fuji apple (world's most popular variety) was bred in Aomori in 1962 by crossing Ralls Janet and Red Delicious — now grown in over 80 countries.

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