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, Tanushimaru (e.g. Kuradomi Shinkyoho Farm)	Excellent — low vines, easy reach
Pears (nashi)	Aug–Oct	Ukiha, Asakura, Hirokawa (Hirai Kanko Farm)	Good — some reaching required
Persimmons (kaki)	Oct–Nov	Ukiha, Asakura	Good — autumn highlight
Strawberries (ichigo)	Dec–May	Ukiha, Chikushino, Kurume (Fruitelier, Ichigo Kirari)	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:

Fruitelier (フルトリエ), Kurume: a well-known strawberry atelier growing Amaou and other varieties; family-oriented with a cafe.
Ichigo Kirari, Kurume area: greenhouse strawberry picking, popular for all-you-can-eat winter sessions.
Chikushino Strawberry Farm, Chikushino City: close to Fukuoka city, easy for a half-day toddler outing.
Hirai Kanko Farm & Hirokawa Fruit Village, Hirokawa: pears and seasonal fruit in the southern orchard belt.
Kuradomi Shinkyoho Farm, Ukiha area: grapes including the sweet Shinkyoho variety in late summer.
Blueberry no Mura: summer blueberry picking, an easy no-tools activity for little ones.

As a rough budget guide, all-you-can-eat strawberry sessions typically run around ¥1,500–2,500 per adult for 30–40 minutes, while grapes are often sold by the bunch or as a short all-you-can-pick — but treat these as ballpark figures only and verify with the farm.

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 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 → — autumn weekends near the orchards book out fast, so 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.

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.

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.
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. Named spots include Fruitelier and Ichigo Kirari for strawberries, and Chikushino Strawberry Farm closer to the city — all 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, 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. As a rough guide, all-you-can-eat strawberry sessions often run around ¥1,500–2,500 per adult; grapes are frequently sold by the bunch. Confirm current pricing directly with the orchard, and bring cash since many smaller farms are cash-only.

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