What are the tips and methods for choosing strawberries when picking strawberries?Explaining how to eat delicious food along with etiquette

• BeginnerWomen's AssociationFemale travelOur FacilitiesFamily tripCoupleKansai

• 2023/1/26

Before going out!Points to check before picking strawberries

In order to enjoy strawberry picking to the fullest, we will explain the points you should check before heading out.

Check availability of reservations

There are places for strawberry picking that require advance reservations and places that are first-come, first-served.If advance reservations are required, don't forget to make a reservation for your desired date and time.If it's a first-come, first-served basis, check the time and access to the farm and plan your trip in time to arrive during reception hours.

Early hours are recommended.

Many farms operate on a first-come, first-served basis and say, ``Once they run out of strawberries, the sale ends.''We recommend starting your strawberry picking early so that you have plenty of time to enjoy it!If you're close to the park's opening, you'll find plenty of delicious strawberries that are ready to eat.

Check whether there is a toilet or not and whether it is handicapped accessible.

Some strawberry picking farms may not have toilets installed.Be sure to check the availability of restrooms at surrounding facilities as well.If you want to bring a stroller or wheelchair, it's a good idea to choose a farm that is barrier-free.There are no steps, so you can enjoy strawberry picking without the stress of moving around with a stroller or wheelchair.

Check out the cultivation methods and varieties as well.

Cultivation methods and varieties vary depending on the farm.Be sure to check out the cultivation methods and strawberry varieties of the farm where you plan to enjoy strawberry picking.

The main cultivation methods include soil cultivation, elevated cultivation in a greenhouse, and hydroponic cultivation that does not use soil.Some farms use reduced pesticides, low pesticides, organic cultivation, or use their own compost.

Strawberries vary in size, color, and taste depending on the variety.Some farms allow you to enjoy picking rare varieties of strawberries, so be sure to check in advance.

Check out other equipment and souvenirs as well.

At some farms, you can enjoy things other than strawberry picking.Be sure to check out the points below.

・Is there a rest space or cafe?
・Whether takeout, souvenirs, goods, etc. will be sold

How to identify and eat delicious and sweet strawberries?

If you are going to go strawberry picking, you want to enjoy the delicious strawberries.We will introduce tips for choosing strawberries and how to eat them deliciously.

How to identify delicious strawberries

We have summarized the key points for identifying delicious strawberries below.Please use this as a reference when choosing strawberries.

・The area around the bulge is raised and stands up, which is a characteristic of fully ripened fruit.
・The calyx should be brightly colored, taut, or curved.
・It has a glossy surface and is bright red all the way to the bottom.

The size of strawberries varies depending on the variety, time of year, and season, so larger strawberries are not necessarily tastier.Even though they are small, ripe strawberries have a strong flavor.

delicious way to eat

When picking strawberries, it depends on the farm whether you pick them by hand or use scissors.In either case, be sure to hold the strawberries gently so as not to crush them.

・Hand-picking: Grasp the stem end between your middle finger and index finger, and use your wrist to snap it toward you.If you can't do it, try twisting your hand to pick it up.
・Scissors...Cut the stem just at the end of the stem.

After picking, we recommend removing the stem and eating from the stem side, which has a stronger acidity.Strawberries are sweetest at the tip, so if you eat from the tip, the bottom end won't taste as good.If you eat from the stem to the tip, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious strawberry from start to finish.

Manners to remember to enjoy strawberry picking

There are etiquette rules when picking strawberries.In order to enjoy strawberry picking comfortably, let's remember the manners!

Let's be on time

There are time limits for strawberry picking, such as 30 or 60 minutes, and there are unlimited time options.Let's enjoy strawberry picking by observing the set time.

Be careful with your clothes

When going strawberry picking, it is important to wear clothes and shoes that are easy to move in and that you don't mind getting dirty.Avoid wearing shoes with heels as they may cause you to fall.It's warm inside the greenhouse, so wear clothes that are easy to adjust so you can enjoy strawberry picking comfortably.

Please follow the rules when bringing in condensed milk and sauces.

When picking strawberries, in addition to eating the strawberries as is, there are also farms where you can eat them with condensed milk or chocolate sauce.Also, the rules differ depending on the farm, as shown below, so be sure to check and follow them properly before using!

・Prepared by the nursery school, you can use it as much as you like.
・Prepared by the nursery school, additional fees apply.
・You can bring your own
・Do not bring your own items.

Be careful not to take too much!

It is good manners not to leave any strawberries left after they have been picked.Of course, it is bad manners to leave uneaten or unpicked strawberries.It may be tempting to pick a lot of strawberries, but avoid picking too many strawberries at once to avoid leaving them uneaten.If the strawberries grown at the farm are delicious and you want to eat them at home or take them home as a souvenir, it would be a good idea to buy some souvenirs to take home.

There are many farms where you can enjoy strawberry picking, but there are many people who think, ``I have small children, so I'm worried about whether I can enjoy it leisurely,'' or ``I'd rather go camping or experience nature together with strawberry picking.''Some glamping facilities offer strawberry picking as an experience.We will introduce recommended glamping facilities in the Kansai area where you can also enjoy strawberry picking.

Farm Glamping Kyoto Amanohashidate

This is a glamping facility with the theme of "food education" where you can enjoy various food-related activities and experiences.Every spring season, we hold a strawberry picking experience at our own farm.You can enjoy 3 minutes of all-you-can-eat (for a fee) three types of strawberries, including rare white strawberries and pink strawberries.You can also experience harvesting a variety of other crops such as cherry tomatoes, corn, potatoes, and herbs.

There are plenty of free activities, from food-related experiences such as making popcorn, pizza, and potato chips to outdoor cooking experiences such as making smoked meat and cooking rice bowls.There are activities that even small children can easily try out, so we recommend learning about food in a fun way through hands-on experiences.

<Facility information>
[Farm Glamping Kyoto Amanohashidate]
Address: 397-13 Nambano, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture
TEL／050-3161-4576
Business hours/Check-in 15:00 Check-out 8:00-10:00 the next day
Access/[Train] Nearest station: Get off at Kyoto Tango Railway “Amanohashidate Station”
From Osaka/Wakayama, take the JR Tokaido Main Line Limited Express Kounotori from JR Osaka Station, get off at Fukuchiyama Station and get off at Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyafuku Line.
From Kyoto, Nara, and Shiga, take the JR Sanin Main Line Limited Express from JR Kyoto Station, transfer to the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyafuku Line bound for Amanohashidate at Fukuchiyama Station, and get off at Amanohashidate Station.
*Free shuttle service available from Amanohashidate Station (advance reservation required)
[Car] About 20 minutes from Kyoto Jukan Expressway "Yosa Amanohashidate IC"
From the Osaka/Wakayama area, it is convenient to take the Chugoku Expressway and the Maizuru Expressway.
The Kyoto Jukan Expressway is convenient from Kyoto, Shiga, and Nara.
Parking/Available
URL/https://www.resort-glamping.com/accommodation/farm-glamping/

Grand Dome Kobe Tenku

This is a glamping facility located in the Minaya area of ​​Kobe.Although it is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Sannomiya, it has an attractive environment full of nature.You can enjoy luxurious glamping while enjoying a large open-air bath with carefully selected free-flowing water and a view of the night view of Kobe from a hill.

Kita Ward, Kobe City, where the facility is located, is the production area for the branded strawberry "Jiro Ichigo."There are several farms nearby where you can experience strawberry picking.Along with strawberry picking, this facility offers a variety of fun things to do, including a large communal bath with an open-air bath, a foot bath where you can enjoy alcohol, and glamping BBQ using high-quality ingredients from the Kobe area.

<Facility information>
[Grandome Kobe Sky]
Address: 1-1 Harano, Yamada-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
TEL/For inquiries, please email info@kobe-glamping.com
Business hours/Check-in 15:00 Check-out 10:00 the next day
Access/[Train] Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Tanigami Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway Hokushin Line
Free shuttle bus transportation available (advance reservation required)
[Car] About 32 minutes from Hanshin Expressway No. 10 Shin-Kobe Tunnel Minaya exit
About 7 minutes from Hanshin Expressway No. 10 Minoya IC
Parking/Available
URL/https://www.resort-glamping.com/accommodation/glampdome-kobetenku/

Glamping Village HAJIME

One of the largest glamping facilities in Japan, located in the Amanohashidate area of ​​Kyoto.Located close to the ocean, mountains, and rivers, you can enjoy a variety of activities including those within the facility.During the spring season, we hold a three-colored strawberry picking experience: red, white, and pink.There are other activities that both adults and children can enjoy, such as making popcorn and s'mores over a bonfire, making camp meals, chopping wood, roasting coffee from beans, and making your own original soda.

We have 4 unique types of tents, including rooms with private gardens and rooms where you can stay with your dog.Each room type has its own BBQ space, toilet, and bathroom, so you can enjoy glamping to your heart's content in a private space despite the large grounds.

<Facility information>
[Glamping Village HAJIME]
Address: 3700-73 Hioki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture
TEL／050-3161-4578
Business hours/Check-in 15:00 Check-out 10:00 the next day
Access/[Train] Nearest station: Get off at Kyoto Tango Railway “Amanohashidate Station”
For Osaka/Wakayama, take the JR Tokaido Main Line Limited Express Kounotori from JR Osaka Station, get off at Fukuchiyama Station and get off at Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyafuku Line.
From Kyoto, Nara, and Shiga, take the JR Sanin Main Line Limited Express from JR Kyoto Station, transfer to the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyafuku Line bound for Amanohashidate at Fukuchiyama Station, and get off at Amanohashidate Station.
*Free shuttle service available from Amanohashidate Station (advance reservation required)
[Car] About 20 minutes from Kyoto Jukan Expressway "Yosa Amanohashidate IC"
From the Osaka/Wakayama area, it is convenient to use the Chugoku Expressway and the Maizuru Expressway.
It is convenient to use the Kyoto Jukan Expressway from the Kyoto, Shiga, and Nara areas.
Parking/Available
URL/https://www.resort-glamping.com/accommodation/glamping-village-hajime/

*This column was created based on information as of April 2023, 1.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility and each prefecture campaign.