Pears from Yamagata Prefecture are a popular autumn delicacy known for their abundant juice, refreshing texture, and natural sweetness. Pear cultivation in Yamagata is said to date back to the early Edo period (early 17th century), giving the prefecture a long history as a fruit-growing region.
Today, the main pear-producing areas include Sakata City and Tsuruoka City. Different varieties are cultivated in each area, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of Japanese pears when they come into season in autumn.
Pears grown in the Kariya area of Sakata City are known under the regional brand “Kariya no Nashi,” or Kariya Pears. Kariya is one of the best-known pear-growing areas in the Shonai region and has produced high-quality pears through a long tradition of cultivation.
In the past, the Kariya area was famous for growing the Chōjūrō variety. The variety was once so prominent that Kariya was described as producing “Nijisseiki in the south and Chōjūrō in the north,” reflecting the popularity of these two varieties in different regions.
As consumer preferences and agricultural practices changed, the varieties grown in Kariya also evolved. Today, Kōsui and Hōsui are among the main Japanese pear varieties cultivated in the area.
The long history of pear cultivation in Kariya has continued by adapting to changing tastes and introducing different varieties. Pears remain an important local fruit and a beloved part of the autumn harvest in the Shonai region.
The Kushibiki area of Tsuruoka City is known as a “Fruit Town” because a wide variety of fruit is cultivated there. Numerous tourist orchards can be found throughout the area, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy fruit-picking experiences during the harvest seasons.
Japanese pear varieties such as Kōsui and Hōsui are grown in the area, and one of the highlights of visiting a tourist orchard is being able to enjoy pears freshly picked from the trees.
Tsuruoka is also known for European pears such as La France, allowing visitors to discover different types of pears and other seasonal fruits depending on the time of year.
Yamagata pears offer a delicious taste of the long-established fruit-growing culture of the Shonai region. From Kariya Pears to popular Japanese varieties such as Kōsui and Hōsui, visitors can enjoy pears cultivated in different parts of the region.
If you visit Yamagata in autumn, consider exploring the region’s pear-growing areas or visiting a tourist orchard for a fruit-picking experience. Freshly harvested pears offer a wonderfully juicy and refreshing taste that can be enjoyed at the height of the season.
September to October
Yamagata pears come into season in autumn. In particular, when Japanese varieties such as Kōsui and Hōsui are being harvested, visitors can enjoy the fresh, juicy flavor of pears straight from the producing areas.