All-You-Can-Eat Strawberry Picking Adventure

In East Nara Nabari, there are several spots where you can enjoy fruit picking, including grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. Here, I’d like to talk about my experience of strawberry picking in Nabari City, Mie Prefecture, which takes place from early January to mid-May.

No Plans? No Problem! Off to the Strawberry Farm!

One day in mid-February, I suddenly found myself with an open schedule. “Why not go strawberry picking?” I thought. So, I set my sights on the Shorenji in Nabari, located near the beautiful Shorenji Lake. This area offers strawberry picking from winter to early summer and grape picking from summer to fall. The best part? You can visit without a reservation, making it a perfect spontaneous outing. Once I made up my mind, I set off right away. As a lifelong strawberry lover, I was beyond excited about the all-you-can-eat experience. To make the most of it, I even had a lighter breakfast than usual!

Nabari, located on the westernmost edge of Mie Prefecture near the Nara border, was experiencing a cold wave that day. The entire country was freezing, with Nabari’s temperatures dropping to -2°C (28.4°F) at the lowest and only reaching 4°C (39.2°F) at the highest. I was a little worried about driving through the mountainous Route 165, but despite some light snowfall along the way, I managed just fine. If you’re planning to visit the East Nara Nabari region in winter, be sure to check road conditions and equip your car with winter tires.

There are several strawberry farms in Nabari, but my first stop was Yamayuri Tourist Information Center. Upon arrival, I went inside, paid the entrance fee (cashless payment is also accepted), and checked in. The lady at the reception provided a small map and pointed out the way to the farm where I would be picking strawberries that day.

Using the map I received, I drove to the farm.

It was about 1.6 km from the information center, but the narrow roads made me second-guess whether I was on the right path. Thankfully, I was, and I arrived safely at the parking area.

After a short one-minute walk from the parking area, I arrived at Kayamoto Farm, where the friendly owner greeted me.

I placed my belongings in a locker, sanitized my hands, and received a small bag for strawberry stems. Then, with a cheerful “Go ahead!” the owner opened the greenhouse door for me.

As soon as I stepped inside, I was enveloped by the sweet, fragrant aroma of strawberries.

“Wow, it smells amazing!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in excitement. The owner, Mr. Kayamoto, chuckled and said, “Oh, really? I guess I’ve gotten so used to it that I don’t notice anymore.”

He pointed to three rows and explained, “These three rows are yours—eat as much as you want for 30 minutes.” The variety of the day was Akihime, my absolute favorite! The thought of eating my fill of Akihime strawberries felt like a dream come true.

A Happy Moment Enjoying Juicy Red Strawberries

The strawberry plants were neatly arranged on raised beds, making it easy to pick them without bending over. This high-bed cultivation method also made it simple to spot the ripest strawberries. Despite the chilly weather outside, the greenhouse was warm and comfortable.

I reached for a perfectly red, ripe strawberry and took a bite.

“Mmm… so sweet!”
“Delicious! Pure happiness!”

I continued moving down the aisle, picking and eating strawberries one after another. Some of them were surprisingly large, and I had assumed that smaller ones might taste better. But I was wrong—both large and small strawberries were equally sweet and juicy!

For a full 30 minutes, I indulged in as many strawberries as I could.

“I can’t eat another bite!” I laughed, feeling completely satisfied. At first, I had wondered if 30 minutes would be enough, but it turned out to be the perfect amount of time.

A Sweet and Enjoyable All-Weather Activity

Strawberry picking like this is a great, hassle-free activity that you can enjoy without a reservation. Plus, since it’s not affected by the weather, it’s a perfect alternative if, for example, you’re visiting the area and your hiking plans get canceled due to rain. Also, Shorenji Lake is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms, so stopping by for strawberry picking after a scenic cherry blossom drive would be a fantastic idea!

A quick note: the all-you-can-eat offer applies only to strawberries eaten on-site. If you’d like to take some home, they also sell strawberries to go, so be sure to check them out.

Outside, the sky was a dull gray, and snowflakes danced in the cold wind. But inside the cozy greenhouse, surrounded by vibrant red strawberries, I enjoyed a warm and joyful feast. Next time, I’d love to try an all-you-can-eat session with a different variety!