Haruna Foothills Pears are a seasonal specialty grown along the southern foothills of Mt. Haruna in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. In particular, pears produced around Shimosatomi in Satomi District are known as Satomi Pears and are widely recognized both within and beyond Gunma.
The foothills of Mt. Haruna offer well-drained soil, abundant sunshine, and significant differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These conditions are ideal for growing pears with a juicy texture and naturally rich sweetness.
Different varieties come into season from summer through autumn, attracting many visitors who come to purchase freshly harvested pears and enjoy the agricultural scenery of the area.
Pear cultivation in Takasaki dates back to 1868, the first year of the Meiji era. Tomizawa Koheiji, a farmer in the Shimosatomi area, is credited with beginning pear cultivation in the region.
At the time, many farming households grew rice, wheat, and cotton while also raising silkworms. Farmers were looking for crops that could provide a more stable and profitable source of income, and pears attracted attention as a promising agricultural product.
The southern foothills of Mt. Haruna offered favorable conditions for fruit cultivation, including well-drained land and significant temperature differences between day and night. Pear cultivation gradually spread throughout the area, and by around the end of the Meiji era, the region had become known as a pear-producing area.
One of the key factors behind the quality of pears grown around Mt. Haruna is the area’s favorable natural environment. The volcanic ash soil formed through volcanic activity associated with Mt. Haruna and Mt. Asama is well drained and provides suitable conditions for fruit trees.
The Satomi area on the southern slopes of Mt. Haruna also receives plenty of sunlight and experiences considerable differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These conditions help produce pears with a naturally rich sweetness.
Some pears in the area are grown using bag-free cultivation, in which the fruit is not covered with protective bags while it develops. This allows the pears to receive plenty of direct sunlight, helping them develop their characteristic sweetness and fragrance.
Farmers also carefully thin the fruit so that too many pears do not grow on a single tree. This allows nutrients to be concentrated in individual fruits and supports cultivation focused on quality.
More than 20 varieties of pears are cultivated in the Haruna area, with different varieties reaching their peak season from summer through autumn. Some of the main varieties include:
Kosui: Around mid-August
Hosui: Around September
Nijisseiki: Around September to October
Niitaka: Around October
Atago: Late autumn
Late-season varieties such as Niitaka and Atago are particularly known for producing large fruits. Some of these oversized pears are sold under the brand name “Fuyu Shogun” (“Winter General”) and are also popular as gifts.
During pear season, numerous farm-run direct-sales stands appear along National Route 406, which runs through the southern foothills of Mt. Haruna. The area is known as the “Haruna Kudamono Kaido”, or “Fruit Road,” and is one of Gunma’s popular destinations for fruit tourism.
From around mid-August through November, various pear varieties, including Kosui, Hosui, and Nijisseiki, reach their respective peak seasons. At the roadside farm stands, visitors can purchase freshly harvested pears and discover differences in flavor and texture between varieties.
In recent years, some farms and direct-sales stands have added cafés and casual dining spaces. Visitors may be able to enjoy seasonal treats such as pear-flavored soft-serve ice cream and fresh pear juice.
Some farms also sell locally made products such as jams and processed plum products, making the area a convenient place to look for regional souvenirs as well as fresh fruit.
The Satomi area at the foot of Mt. Haruna also offers opportunities to enjoy pear picking. Experiences vary by farm, but many orchards offer pear picking from around mid-August, when Kosui pears come into season, through early October. Some also allow visitors to sample the fruit during their visit.
Picking a ripe pear with your own hands and enjoying it fresh at the orchard is one of the special pleasures of visiting a fruit-growing region. Surrounded by nature, visitors can taste seasonal fruit while taking in the beautiful rural scenery of the Haruna foothills.
Some orchards also sell pears for takeaway, allowing visitors to bring home the flavors of the season as a delicious souvenir.
The Haruna area is known not only for pears but also as a fruit-growing region where a wide variety of crops are cultivated. Depending on the season, visitors can find peaches, plums, blueberries, nectarines, La France pears, strawberries, and other fruits.
Because different fruits reach their peak at different times of year, each visit can offer a new selection of seasonal flavors. This changing harvest calendar is one of the distinctive attractions of the Haruna countryside.
During pear season, local events such as the annual Pear Festival and Jumbo Pear Contest are also held, bringing many visitors to the area.
Fruit orchard visits can easily be combined with sightseeing around the Haruna area, including Lake Haruna. This makes it possible to enjoy both the region’s beautiful natural surroundings and its seasonal agricultural specialties in a single trip.
Satomi Pears are a signature specialty of Takasaki, shaped by the rich natural environment of the Haruna foothills and a history of pear cultivation stretching back more than 150 years.
Their juicy texture and natural sweetness can be enjoyed from summer through autumn, with each variety offering its own distinctive flavor and texture.
When visiting the Haruna foothills during pear season, take a drive along the Fruit Road on National Route 406, stop at the local farm stands for freshly harvested pears, or enjoy a pear-picking experience at an orchard. Tasting fresh seasonal fruit surrounded by the mountains and countryside of Haruna is a memorable way to experience one of Takasaki’s agricultural specialties.