Fruit Picking in Fukuoka & Kyushu with Kids (2026)

Fruit picking is one of Kyushu’s best-kept secrets for families — a low-cost, hands-on outdoor activity that English-language travel guides almost never mention, yet locals do it every season.

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 roughly 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 — so 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, Tanushimaru	Excellent — low vines, easy reach
Pears (nashi)	Aug–Oct	Ukiha, Asakura	Good — some reaching required
Persimmons (kaki)	Oct–Nov	Ukiha, Asakura	Good — autumn highlight
Strawberries (ichigo)	Dec–May	Ukiha and various	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 are low to the ground and easy for small hands.

Ukiha & Tanushimaru — Fukuoka’s Fruit Belt

The hillsides around Ukiha and neighboring Tanushimaru (in Kurume) are dotted with family-run orchards, and the area markets itself as a “fruit kingdom.”

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 associations for Ukiha and Tanushimaru publish updated orchard lists each season.

They 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 → — handy for turning an autumn weekend of picking, farm cafes, and foliage into a relaxed overnight.

Grape Picking with Kids (Late Summer to Autumn)

Grapes are the signature pick of the Ukiha area, with Kyoho (big, sweet, purple) and Shine Muscat (green, seedless, premium) leading the season from around August into October.

For kids, grapes are close to ideal: the vines are trained low overhead, the fruit sits at reachable height, and there’s no peeling or tools involved — 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 → — an easy way to build grape-and-muscat season into a wider Fukuoka itinerary.

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.

Strawberry Picking (Winter to Spring)

Though not an autumn activity, strawberry picking deserves a mention: it’s the most toddler-friendly of all and 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, and perfect for the youngest kids, who can graze at their own level.

Amaou, Fukuoka’s famous large, sweet strawberry, is the local star.

Greenhouse farms around Ukiha and across the prefecture run all-you-can-eat sessions in season, though prices and time limits vary by farm.

Find a warm winter base near Ukiha’s greenhouses on Agoda → — turn an Amaou strawberry morning into a cozy family overnight.

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. A day-trip mindset works well here.
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. It’s an easy day trip or overnight, with many farms clustered along the same roads.

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, when the orchards themselves turn golden and pair perfectly with autumn-leaf outings.

How much does fruit picking cost in Fukuoka?

Prices vary by farm, fruit, and whether it’s all-you-can-eat or by weight, so check directly with the orchard. Many smaller farms are cash-only, so bring cash to be safe.

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