1. Asahi Town, the Home of Apples

Asahi Town, located almost in the center of Yamagata Prefecture, is a town surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant nature. Its history of apple cultivation dates back to 1887.

The town first became known nationwide in 1971.

At a time when it was common to grow apples in bags, Asahi Town established a groundbreaking technique of “growing delicious apples without bags.”

This is the “Bagless Fuji apple.”

Grown in plenty of sunlight, the Bagless Fuji apple was highly praised at the central market as “the best quality in Japan.”

Since then, the town has positioned apples as its main crop, and has promoted town development focused on apples, and in 1989 it declared itself “Japan’s No. 1 Apple Town . “

2. What is Kosaku Apple Orchard?

Kosaku Apple Orchard is located in the mountains of the Wago area of Asahi Town.

Several varieties are grown in the orchard.

Main Varieties

● Shinano Sweet (about 20%): Peaks from late October to early November. It has almost no acidity and is characterized by a refreshing sweetness. Crisp and light texture.

● Fuji (about 70%): Popular variety that starts selling around late November. Exquisite balance of sweetness and acidity with a rich flavor. Hearty and substantial texture.

● Jonathan and other varieties (about 10%): Not for for apple picking, but supplied to restaurants and such.

 

Shinano Sweet

Jonathan

Kosaku Apple Orchard has two main focuses.

・Leaf management (leaf picking)

Sunlight is essential for apples to turn red, so a process called “leaf picking” is carried out to remove the leaves from the branches.

Generally, many leaves are picked to allow for more sunlight, but at Kosaku Apple Orchard, it is important not to pick too many leaves .

In fact, leaves play an important role in producing nutrients through photosynthesis and delivering them to the fruit.


Therefore, leaving the leaves on the apple gives it a richer flavor.

In addition, some Fuji trees are cultivated as “no-leaf-picked apples,” which have almost no leaves removed.


Currently, it is only available for sale, but in the future, they are preparing to make it possible to experience apple picking.

・Fruit thinning (adjusting the number of fruits)

Another important process is the thinning of the fruit, called “tekika.”


The number of fruits per tree is adjusted according to the strength of the tree and the soil.

In other words, it is important not to let one tree bear too much fruit .

The seaweed apples in the Wago area of Asahi Town have a “just right number of fruits” that is unique to this area, and Kosaku Apple Orchard carefully thins the fruit to match that amount.

If more fruit than the prescribed amount is produced, the nutrients that reach each fruit will be dispersed, making it difficult for the fruit to grow and resulting in a weaker flavor.

Such meticulous care is what produces the delicious apples at Kosaku Apple Orchard.

3. Apple Picking Activity

Asahi Town is known as the “town of apples,” but in fact, the focus is on sales, and there are not many orchards where you can experience apple picking.

The reason why Kosaku Apple Orchard started offering this activity was because they received increasing requests from tourists and local residents asking, “Is there anywhere in Asahi Town where I can go apple picking?”

They wanted to accommodate the people who came to Asahi Town to enjoy apple picking, and that’s how the Kosaku Apple Orchard activity began.

・[Autumn flavors] Freshly picked apples! Seasonal apple picking tour♪

As soon as you step into the fields, you will hear the pleasant sounds of leaves rustling in the wind and birds chirping.


As far as the eye can see, rows of apple trees are beginning to turn red, signaling the arrival of autumn.

In this apple picking activity, you can choose your favorite tree and fruit and pick apples with your own hands.


The varieties available vary depending on the season, with Shinano Sweet available from October to early November, and Bagless Fuji apple, a specialty of Asahi Town, available from around November 10th to the end of November .

Gently lift the apple branch and twist it upwards, and with a small snap, a heavy apple falls into the palm of your hand.

“What a luxury to pick and eat right away.” The satisfaction of eating freshly picked produce.


There are moments everywhere that will make you want to capture them in photos or videos.

During the experience, not only will you get to taste the apples you pick on the spot, but after your apple picking activity, you will also be able to take home two apples and one of the following apple products as souvenirs: juice, jelly, jam, or chips!

In addition to apples, you can also choose from a variety of processed apple products, which is great.

The processed products were created with the desire to allow people to enjoy apples even outside of the harvest season.


They are also considering developing new products in the future, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Taking home the apples you picked yourself and enjoying them at your leisure is a bit of a luxurious experience.

If you would like to pick some more apples yourself, you can purchase two for 500 yen.

4. Message

We received a message for everyone browsing VISIT YAMAGATA.

“Kosaku Apple Orchard is located in a quiet spot, up a mountain path. There is nothing around, and all you can see are the apple trees and the sky.

That’s why apples taste so delicious when enjoyed in a space away from everyday life.

Please come and enjoy this extraordinary apple picking experience that will give you the feeling of being outdoors in the mountains.

5. Summary

This time, we introduced Kosaku Apple Orchard in Asahi Town.


Be sure to enjoy this special, limited-time experience that’s perfect for the upcoming season.

The orchard also has a recently installed an apple juice vending machine, allowing you to easily enjoy the taste of Asahi Town.

A temporary direct sales store is also scheduled to open soon. It would be the perfect souvenir to buy after your apple picking activity.

Why not experience the autumn in Asahi Town at Kosaku Apple Orchard?