Ohashi Cherry Farm
Ohashi Cherry Farm: A Charming Fruit-Picking Jaunt in Hokkaido
Nestled in the quiet confines of Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido, Ohashi Cherry Farm is a veritable haven for fruit enthusiasts and families alike. This delightful farm has spent more than 40 years cultivating cherries with an admirable dedication to organic methods. It’s a place where you can escape the urban rush, wander through orchards, and pluck cherries right off the tree, feeling both virtuous and gluttonous in the process. With over 1,500 trees and more than 50 cherry varieties, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more delightful (or delicious) destination.
A Cherry-Picking Extravaganza
Ah, cherry-picking! The main event and, let’s face it, the reason most people find themselves at Ohashi Cherry Farm. The peak season runs from early July to late August, when the cherries are ripe, ready, and practically begging to be picked. There’s a charming twist here – it’s all-you-can-eat. Yes, you read that correctly. For the sum of ¥1,800, you can gorge yourself on as many cherries as your stomach can bear. And these aren’t just any cherries. The farm offers access to the prized Sato-Nishiki variety, widely regarded as the crème de la crème of cherries – sweet, juicy, and utterly irresistible.
Essential Cherry Picking Info
Season
Early July to late August. However, a word of caution: make sure you double-check the cherry season dates before you go. There’s nothing worse than arriving only to discover that the harvest wrapped up early this year (cherry trees don’t wait for anyone).
Hours
- Cherry picking: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
- Other fruit picking (late August to late October): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (last entry at 3:00 PM)
Pricing
- ¥1,800 per person for all-you-can-eat cherry picking (no time limit, so take your time!).
- Want to take some cherries home? That’ll be ¥300 per 100 grams.
- For fruit picking after cherry season, it’s ¥1,100 per person.
Pro Tips for Cherry Picking at Ohashi
- Select the Best: When picking cherries, always go for the ones with the stems intact. Not only does this keep them fresher longer, but it’s a satisfying little “pop” when you pluck them.
- Use the Ladders: For those unreachable cherries at the top of the trees, don’t worry – the farm kindly provides wooden ladders, making it easy for visitors of all heights to partake.
- Cherries Galore: Different sections of the farm open at different times during the season. In early August, for example, you may get a crack at Nanyo cherries, another highly sought-after variety. Variety truly is the spice of life at Ohashi.
Sustainability at Its Heart
The good folks at Ohashi Cherry Farm are just as committed to sustainable farming as they are to making sure you leave with a belly full of cherries. They eschew the usual chemical fertilizers and instead focus on “golden living soil” (doesn’t that sound grand?) to nourish their cherry trees. This not only ensures that the cherries taste divine, but it also promotes the long-term health of the trees themselves. It’s a win-win, really. Better cherries, better environment.
More Than Just Cherries
Now, if you happen to miss cherry season – fear not! Ohashi Cherry Farm has more up its sleeve. As summer wanes and autumn begins to creep in, the farm transitions to other fruits. From late August to October, you can indulge in plum, peach, prune, and blueberry picking. So even if you’re not in town for cherry season, there’s still plenty of fruity fun to be had.
Visitor Information: Plan Your Trip
- Location: 469 Kamiashibetsucho, Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido
- Contact: TEL 0124-23-0654
- Website: Ohashi Cherry Farm Official Website
- Access: This is rural Hokkaido, so public transport isn’t exactly frequent. Your best bet is to drive; it’s about 40 minutes from Furano by car. A scenic drive, to be sure.
Operating Schedule
The farm operates during the cherry and fruit-picking seasons, but be mindful of closures. Between November and March, the farm closes on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, and there may be temporary closures during the summer holidays or due to the whims of Hokkaido weather.
Amenities and Facilities
- Café: Once you’ve exhausted yourself from all the cherry picking, there’s a small café on-site. A perfect spot to rest, enjoy some refreshments, and admire the bounty of your harvest.
- Parking: Convenient and free parking for all visitors.
A Place for the Whole Family
One of the farm’s standout features is its family-friendly atmosphere. Visitors rave about how welcoming it is, with staff who seem genuinely happy to see you experience the magic of fresh-picked fruit. Reviewers consistently praise the sheer variety of cherries and the pleasure of tasting them straight from the tree.
In Conclusion: A Must-Visit for Fruit Fans
Ohashi Cherry Farm is a delightful blend of fruit-picking fun, sustainable farming, and an all-around wholesome experience. Whether you’re sinking your teeth into a perfectly ripe cherry in July or savoring a juicy peach in September, it’s a refreshing and fruitful way to experience the natural beauty of Hokkaido. A visit here isn’t just a snack – it’s a celebration of the simple pleasures of life, wrapped up in a basket of organic cherries.