Fruit Picking in Fukuoka & Kyushu with Kids (2026)

Fruit picking is one of Kyushu’s best-kept secrets for families.

It’s a low-cost, hands-on outdoor activity that English-language travel guides almost never mention.

Yet locals do it every season, and kids love the treasure-hunt feeling of finding ripe grapes or plucking a persimmon straight off the branch.

It’s a rare Japan activity that works across a huge age range, from toddlers to grandparents.

The heart of it, if you’re based in Fukuoka, is the fruit belt around Ukiha and Tanushimaru in the southeast of the prefecture.

This guide breaks down what you can pick and when, which fruits suit young kids best, and how to actually arrange a visit.

If you’re timing an autumn trip, pair it with our month-by-month guide to Kyushu in October and November.

Fruit Picking Season in Fukuoka & Kyushu with Kids (Quick Answer)

Something is pickable most of the year. Grapes and pears run August–October, persimmons October–November, and strawberries December–May.

Autumn (September–November) is the richest season, centered on the orchards around Ukiha and Tanushimaru, about an hour southeast of Fukuoka city.

Most farms require advance booking, and exact windows shift with the weather each year. Confirm current dates on the farm’s own site before you plan around them.

When to Pick What: A Seasonal Fruit Calendar

Exact timing shifts a week or two each year with the weather, and each farm grows different varieties.

Treat the calendar below as a planning guide, and confirm the current season with the farm before you go.

Fruit	Rough Season	Where (near Fukuoka)	Kid-Friendliness
Grapes (incl. Kyoho, Shine Muscat)	Aug–Oct	Ukiha (Shunkoen, Takiuchi Kyohoen), Tanushimaru	Excellent — low vines, easy reach
Pears (nashi)	Aug–Oct	Ukiha (Takiuchi Kyohoen, Shunkoen)	Good — some reaching required
Persimmons (kaki)	Oct–Nov	Ukiha, Asakura	Good — autumn highlight
Strawberries (ichigo)	Dec–May	Kurume (Fruitelier, Ichigo Kirari), Chikushino (Strawberry Fields)	Excellent — waist-height, toddler-friendly
Mandarins (mikan)	Oct–Dec	Coastal orchards	Good — easy to peel and eat

For a family, the two standout windows are autumn grapes/persimmons and winter–spring strawberries.

Both grow low to the ground and are easy for small hands.

Named Farms to Know Around Fukuoka

Because this is a working agricultural region, opening dates, prices, and reservation rules change every season.

Always confirm on each farm’s official site before you drive out. These established orchards are a good starting point for a family day out:

Shunkoen (春光園), Ukiha: a fourth-generation orchard in Ukiha’s Yamakita area, three minutes by car from Michi-no-Eki Ukiha. Seven grape varieties (Pione, Kyoho, Shine Muscat, Aki Queen, Gorby, Kogyoku), five pear varieties running August to October, Fuyu persimmons and winter strawberries — and from August you can pick grapes and pears in the same visit. Open 9:00–17:00; in 2026 grape picking opened on 11 July.
Takiuchi Kyohoen (瀧内巨峰園), Ukiha: Kyoho grapes from early August to mid-September and ten pear varieties from late July to mid-October. Entry is free and you pay by weight — about ¥900–1,200/kg for grapes and ¥600/kg for pears — which suits families who would rather take fruit home than race an all-you-can-eat clock. Free parking for 30 cars, open 9:00–17:00.
Fruitelier (フルトリエ / 中村果樹園), Kurume: a strawberry atelier in Fujiyama-machi growing Amaou alongside Benihoppe, Koiminori and others, with a cafe. Strawberry picking ran 20 December 2025 to 7 June 2026, reception 10:00–14:00. Double-tiered benches mean prams and wheelchairs go right into the greenhouse.
Ichigo Kirari (いちごきらり), Kurume: two farms — Kitano-machi and minou village in Yamamoto-machi — with 50-minute all-you-can-eat sessions from late December to late May and seven varieties including Amaou and a white Awayuki. Wide, flat aisles for prams.
Strawberry Fields (筑紫野いちご農園), Chikushino City: the closest to Fukuoka city and an easy half-day with toddlers. Reservation-only, 9:00–17:00 with last entry at 16:00, closed Mondays; 40-minute all-you-can-eat at ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,800 for ages 3–12, under-2s free.
Hirai Kanko Farm (ひらい観光農園): note that it is in Yame City, not Hirokawa, and it does not do pears — it runs strawberry picking December to May and grape picking in late summer, by reservation only.
Hirokawa Kudamono Mura (里の駅広川くだもの村), Hirokawa: a family that has grown pears here for 60 years, now with strawberries, grapes and peaches too. The pears are sold at the farm shop rather than picked; the pick-your-own is reservation-only strawberries in late winter and spring. Open 9:00–18:00, closed the third Tuesday of the month.
Blueberry no Mura (観光農園ブルーベリーの村), Kurume: summer blueberry picking with no time limit, plus a cafe — an easy no-tools activity for little ones. It opens only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the Obon days (13–15 August); the 2026 season ran 3 July to 30 August.

As a budget guide from the farms’ own 2026 pages: an all-you-can-eat strawberry session runs about ¥2,500 per adult and ¥1,800 per child for 40 minutes at Chikushino’s Strawberry Fields.

Ukiha’s grape orchards more often charge free entry plus weight — roughly ¥900–1,200 per kilo of Kyoho and ¥600 per kilo of pears at Takiuchi Kyohoen. Prices are reset each season, so verify with the farm.

Check bookable fruit-picking and farm experiences near Fukuoka on Klook → — English booking pages with instant confirmation on most listings, a handy shortcut when farm sites are Japanese-only and weekend slots fill first.

Ukiha & Tanushimaru — Fukuoka’s Fruit Belt

The hillsides around Ukiha and neighboring Tanushimaru (in Kurume) are dotted with family-run orchards.

The area markets itself as a “fruit kingdom,” and it lives up to the name in autumn.

It’s an easy day trip or overnight from Fukuoka — roughly an hour by car, or a scenic ride on the JR Kyūdai Main Line.

Many farms cluster along the same roads, so you can often combine picking with a farm cafe, a parfait stop, or a soft-serve made from the day’s fruit.

The local tourism bodies publish updated orchard lists each season. Ukiha Fruits covers Ukiha.

The Tanushimaru Grape Picking Navi lists the 24 member orchards of the Tanushimaru grape association, whose information desk sits inside JR Tanushimaru Station.

Both show which farms are open, what’s ripe, and whether reservations are needed — the most reliable source for current names, hours, and prices.

Because it’s a genuine agricultural area rather than a tourist park, English can be limited and booking ahead matters.

If you want to slow down and make a weekend of it, see our guide to where to stay in Ukiha and Kurume with kids.

You can also read our review of using the Fairfield by Marriott Ukiha as a family base.

Compare family-friendly stays around Ukiha on Agoda → — autumn weekends near the orchards book out fast, so check live availability and lock in a base before picking season peaks.

Grape Picking with Kids (Late Summer to Autumn)

Grapes are the signature pick of the Ukiha area, led by Kyoho (big, sweet, purple) and Shine Muscat (green, seedless, premium).

The season runs from around August into October, so late summer and early autumn are prime.

For kids, grapes are close to ideal: the vines are trained low overhead and the fruit sits at reachable height.

There’s no peeling or tools involved either — just snip and eat.

Most farms sell by the bunch or offer a time-limited all-you-can-pick, and many let you eat in the vineyard.

Bring wet wipes — small hands and grape juice are a guaranteed combination.

Browse Fukuoka’s autumn day-trips and family activities on Klook → — build grape-and-muscat season into a wider Fukuoka itinerary before weekend slots sell out.

Pear & Persimmon Picking (Autumn)

As the grapes wind down, Japanese pears (nashi) and then persimmons (kaki) carry the autumn season through October and November.

Nashi are crisp, round, and hugely refreshing.

Persimmons bring that classic orange-autumn look kids recognize from Japanese picture books.

Persimmon picking in particular pairs beautifully with an autumn-color day out — the orchards themselves turn golden.

It slots neatly alongside our Kyushu autumn foliage guide if you’re already chasing the leaves.

It’s also an easy add-on to a wider Fukuoka family itinerary for first-time visitors.

See more Fukuoka autumn family day-trips on Klook → — an easy way to slot pear- and persimmon-picking into a leaf-peeping weekend.

🏨Planning your Kyushu stay? Read next: Where to Stay in Kyushu with Kids: Best Bases for Road Trips and Train Travel

Strawberry Picking (Winter to Spring)

Though not an autumn activity, strawberry picking deserves a mention: it’s the most toddler-friendly of all.

It also extends the season through the cooler months, roughly December to May.

The berries grow at waist height in warm greenhouses — comfortable even on a cold day.

That makes it perfect for the youngest kids, who can graze at their own level.

Amaou, Fukuoka’s famous large, sweet strawberry, is the local star and a highlight of any winter family trip.

Greenhouse farms around Ukiha and across the prefecture — including spots like Fruitelier and Ichigo Kirari near Kurume — run all-you-can-eat sessions in season, though prices and time limits vary by farm.

To choose one in detail, we compare 12 amaou strawberry picking farms with current fees and reservation rules.

Find a warm winter base near Ukiha’s greenhouses on Agoda → — Amaou mornings pair perfectly with a cozy overnight, and winter rooms go early on weekends.

Fruit Picking with Kids: Practical Tips

Book ahead. Most farms take reservations and can sell out of daily slots, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are hit or miss.
Go by car if you can. The orchards are spread across hillsides with limited bus service; a car makes combining two or three stops easy. Planning it as a full day trip — much like our family day trip to Itoshima — works well here. Reserve a Fukuoka rental car (child seats available) on Klook →
Dress for dirt. Closed shoes, clothes you don’t mind staining, and sun protection in late summer.
Bring cash and wipes. Smaller farms may be cash-only, and fruit juice gets everywhere.
Check the fruit is in season before you drive out — a quick call or message saves a wasted trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is fruit picking season in Fukuoka?

Something is pickable most of the year, but autumn is richest: grapes and pears from August to October, persimmons in October and November.

Strawberries then run December to May. The orchards around Ukiha and Tanushimaru are the main hub.

Where can you go fruit picking near Fukuoka with kids?

The fruit belt around Ukiha and Tanushimaru (in Kurume), about an hour southeast of Fukuoka city, has the highest concentration of family-run orchards — Shunkoen and Takiuchi Kyohoen in Ukiha both do grapes and pears.

For strawberries, Fruitelier and Ichigo Kirari are in Kurume and Strawberry Fields in Chikushino is the closest to the city. All are easy day trips or overnights.

What fruit is best to pick with young children?

Grapes and strawberries are the most toddler-friendly — both grow at reachable height with no tools or peeling needed.

Grapes are the autumn star around Ukiha; strawberries extend the season into winter and spring in warm greenhouses.

Do you need to book fruit picking in advance?

Usually yes. Most farms take reservations and can fill daily slots, especially on weekends and in peak grape and strawberry seasons. Confirm the fruit is in season and reserve before making the trip out.

Can you do fruit picking in autumn in Kyushu?

Yes — autumn is one of the best times. Grapes finish in early autumn, pears follow, and persimmons peak in October and November.

By then the orchards themselves turn golden, which pairs perfectly with autumn-leaf outings.

How much does fruit picking cost in Fukuoka?

Prices vary by farm, fruit, and whether it is all-you-can-eat or by weight.

In 2026 a 40-minute all-you-can-eat strawberry session at Chikushino’s Strawberry Fields was ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,800 for ages 3–12.

Ukiha grape orchards such as Takiuchi Kyohoen charge nothing to enter and about ¥900–1,200 per kilo of grapes. Confirm current pricing directly with the orchard, and bring cash since many smaller farms are cash-only.

Book Your Ukiha Fruit-Picking Trip: Car, Stay & Activities

Ready to go? Ukiha is easiest with a car and an overnight nearby, so the orchards are yours first thing in the morning before the weekend crowds arrive.

Pick up a family rental car in Fukuoka on Klook → — about an hour to the Ukiha orchards; book early for child seats in peak grape and strawberry season.
Check tonight’s and this weekend’s availability near Ukiha on Agoda → — orchard-side rooms are limited and go first on autumn weekends.
See fruit-picking and farm experiences you can book now on Klook → — instant confirmation on most listings, so the day is locked in before you drive out.

Fruit Picking in Fukuoka & Kyushu with Kids: A Family Guide by Season (2026)