Which is the sweetest? A special feature on recommended peach varieties from Yamanashi Prefecture.

Yamanashi Prefecture boasts the highest peach production in Japan and is one of the nation’s leading peach-producing regions. Did you know that Yamanashi actually has a variety of peach varieties, and you can enjoy differences in taste and texture depending on the harvest season? In Yamanashi, you can enjoy various varieties of peaches from late June to early September! This time, we will introduce the characteristics of representative peach varieties cultivated in Yamanashi, divided by season. We will also introduce how to choose and store delicious peaches, as well as sweets made with seasonal peaches, so please find your favorite peach.

Harvest seasons for each variety of peach from Yamanashi

In Yamanashi Prefecture, which boasts the highest peach production in Japan, a variety of peach varieties come into season one after another from early summer to early autumn. Since the taste and texture differ depending on the time of year, enjoying the unique characteristics of each peach is a major pleasure. Here, we introduce the approximate harvest times for each variety, categorized by season.

Period divisions	Guideline for harvest time	Main varieties
Early-maturing variety	Late June to mid-July	Chiyohime, Hikawa Hakuhou, Yumetouka, Misaka Hakuhou, Yumemizuki
Mid-season varieties	Late July to early August	Hakuhou, Akatsuki, Asama Hakutou, Natsukko
Late-maturing variety	Mid-August to late September	Kawanakajima White Peach, Golden Peach, Sakura

The harvest season can vary slightly depending on the weather each year. If you have a specific variety in mind, checking the information at a direct sales outlet before you go will increase your chances of finding your favorite peach.

[Late June to mid-July] Recommended early-ripening peach varieties from Yamanashi

Peaches from Yamanashi Prefecture come into season with the arrival of summer. Among them, early-ripening varieties harvested from late June to mid-July are particularly appealing for their juicy flavor that marks the beginning of the season. Here are some representative varieties recommended for those who want to enjoy peaches as early as possible.

Variety name	Harvest season	Characteristics (taste, flesh, etc.)
Chiyohime	Mid-June to Late June	It has a mild, refreshing sweetness with low acidity. It’s white, slightly firm, and has a juicy, firm texture. (Approximately 160-200g)
Hikawa Hakuhō	Late June to mid-July	It has low acidity and high sugar content. It’s low in fiber, juicy, and has a smooth texture. (Approximately 250g-280g)
Yume Touka (Dream Peach Fragrance) *Original variety from Yamanashi Prefecture	Late June to mid-July	High in sugar content, with a refined sweetness. Despite its firm flesh, it’s juicy, offering a “new kind of peach texture.” (Approximately 300-350g)
Misaka Hakuhō	Early July to mid-July	It has a good balance of sweetness and moderate acidity. It’s soft and juicy. (Approximately 250-280g)
Yumemizuki (Yamanashi Prefecture original variety)	Early July to mid-July	High in sugar content, with a juicy and refined sweetness. Soft, with few fibers, and a smooth texture. (Approximately 280-430g)

[Late July to early August] Recommended mid-season peach varieties from Yamanashi

In the heart of peach season, from late July to early August, mid-season peaches reach their peak. Grown under abundant sunlight, these peaches develop an even richer sweetness and aroma. Here, we introduce some of the most popular and representative varieties from among the many mid-season peaches.

Variety name	Harvest season	Characteristics (taste, flesh, etc.)
Hakuho	Mid-July to late July	Characterized by its refined sweetness and aroma. Rich in juice and boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture. (Approximately 250-300g)
Akatsuki	Late July to early August	It has a strong sweetness with a good balance of moderate acidity. The flesh is firm. (Approximately 250-300g)
Asama White Peach	Late July to early August	Large in size and extremely high in sugar content. Juicy and melts in your mouth when ripe. A popular premium variety, often given as a gift. (Approximately 250-350g)
Natsukko	Late July to early August	It has low acidity and a rich, honey-like sweetness. The flesh is firm, and it’s juicy with a smooth texture. (Approximately 300-350g)

[Mid-August to early September] Recommended late-ripening peach varieties from Yamanashi

Late-ripening peaches are in season from the end of summer through autumn. Peaches from this time of year have firm flesh, a rich sweetness, and a satisfying texture. Another great point is that many varieties have a long shelf life. Here, we introduce some representative late-ripening varieties grown in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Variety name	Harvest season	Characteristics (taste, flesh, etc.)
Kawanakajima White Peach	Early August to mid-August	It has a rich flavor with a firm sweetness. It has a firm texture and is very juicy. It’s large and keeps well. (Large size, about 300g)
Ougonto	Mid-August to Late August	A rich sweetness and fragrant aroma reminiscent of mango. Firm, smooth texture with yellow flesh. (Approximately 250-300g)
Sakura	Late August to early September	High sugar content and mild sweetness with low acidity. Firm and crisp texture. (Approximately 350-450g)

Summer in Yamanashi is the best season to grow peaches. After the rainy season ends, peaches that have grown under the abundant sunshine become significantly sweeter. Among them, “Asama Hakuto,” “Natsukko,” and “Kawanakajima Hakuto” are popular varieties known for their rich sweetness and abundant juice.

Asama White Peaches are juicy and have a refined sweetness, Natsukko peaches have low acidity and high sugar content with a firm texture, and Kawanakajima White Peaches are appealing for their rich aroma and powerful sweetness. Each variety has its own unique character, and comparing them is one of the joys of sightseeing in Yamanashi.

Be sure to enjoy the “perfectly ripe peaches, blessed with plenty of sunshine,” which can only be tasted in Yamanashi during the summer.

Enjoy exquisite peach-themed popular sweets at Koedo Kofu Hanakoji!

Koedo Kofu Hanakoji, a charming old castle town area, is lined with gourmet food and sweets that showcase the best of Yamanashi, making it perfect for a food-hopping stroll. During peach season, you can enjoy special sweets and limited-time menus made with plenty of freshly picked, juicy fruit that can only be found in Yamanashi. Here, we introduce two popular shops in Koedo Kofu Hanakoji that you should visit during peach season.

Crepes, espresso, and flower alley

Crepe & Espresso & Hanakoji is a popular shop known for its crispy, fragrant crepes. The fruits used change with the seasons, so you might discover a new flavor each time you visit. The stylish shop blends seamlessly into the traditional Japanese atmosphere of Hanakoji, making it a great place for a snack while sightseeing or a coffee break.

Hanakoji exclusive crepe♪ “Peach and Flower Melt”

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(Quote: From the official Instagram)

During the summer season, we offer a limited-edition seasonal crepe called “Peach and Flower Melt,” which luxuriously uses fresh peaches from Yamanashi Prefecture. Juicy peaches and cream melt out from the crispy crepe, offering not only the delicious taste of peaches but also a cute and photogenic appearance.

address	1-10-6 Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Koedo Kofu Hanakoji
Business Hours	Summer / 10:30～18:30 (LO 18:00) Winter / 10:00～17:30 (LO 17:00)
Closed on	Irregular holidays
Payment methods	Cashless payment only

Fruit Shop Shunkando

Kajitsudokoro Shunkando is a sweets shop run by a fruit specialty store. They are popular for their parfaits and jellies, which use carefully selected seasonal fruits and bring out the best of the ingredients’ natural flavors.

A variety of sweets featuring seasonal peaches!

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During peach season, you can enjoy luxurious parfaits, shaved ice, fresh juices, and bouncy jellies overflowing with fresh peaches. The perfectly ripe peaches, selected by the discerning eye of a specialty fruit shop, are sweet and juicy. The combination with homemade creams and jellies is also carefully considered, making each dish a delightful experience that lets you savor the charm of peaches to the very last bite.

address	1-10-5 Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Koedo Kofu Hanakoji
Business Hours	11:00～17:30
Closed on	Monday (If Monday is a public holiday, then Tuesday)
Website	Fruit Shop Shunkando Official Website

How to choose and store sweet and delicious peaches from Yamanashi Prefecture

Here, we’ll explain the key points for identifying the best peaches and how to store them to maximize their sweetness.

How to choose a delicious peach

When choosing peaches at the store, do you ever find yourself wondering which one to pick? Paying a little attention to their appearance and aroma can make it easier to find sweet, juicy peaches. Peaches are very delicate, so the key is to handle them gently and avoid pressing them with your fingers!

Checkpoint	Characteristics of a delicious peach
shape	I recommend choosing one that is plump, has a nice round shape, and is symmetrical.
color	Those that are bright red all over are the best. If the bottom is cream-colored rather than green or white, it’s a sign of sweetness.
scent	When you open the box or bring the peach close to your face, if it has a sweet and rich aroma, it’s ripe and ready to eat.
Downy hairs and spots	Fresh fruit has a thick layer of downy hairs covering the entire surface of the skin. Also, fruit with freckle-like white spots (lenticels) on the skin tends to have a higher sugar content.

This article explains how to store peaches and how to ripen them further.

Peaches are a fruit that continues to ripen after being harvested, a characteristic known as “post-harvest ripening.” By adjusting the storage method according to the condition of the peaches you obtain, you can enjoy them at your preferred level of sweetness and texture.

If the peach is still firm (post-ripening)

If the peaches you bought are still hard, don’t put them in the refrigerator right away. Let them ripen at room temperature. Gently wrap each peach individually in newspaper or kitchen paper and place them in a cool, shady, and well-ventilated place. When they start to smell strongly of sweetness and feel slightly soft to the touch, they are ready to ripen.

If you prefer firmer peaches, you can wash them whole, chill them in the refrigerator, and eat them right away! They will be crisp, sweet, and have a refined sweetness that makes them refreshing.

How to store ripe peaches

Peaches that are ripe will over-ripen if left at room temperature, so wash off the fuzz thoroughly, pat them dry, and store them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. However, peaches tend to lose their sweetness if they are chilled too much. The trick to enjoying them chilled is to move them to the refrigerator 2-3 hours before eating.

Long-term storage for when you can’t eat it all right away

If you’ve bought a lot of peaches but can’t eat them all right away, freezing them is a great option. Wash them whole, pat them dry, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer bag before freezing. This will allow them to be stored for about a month. When you want to eat them, simply place them in water while still frozen, and the skin will peel off easily. You can then enjoy them semi-frozen like a sorbet.

Where can I buy peaches from Yamanashi?

Peaches from Yamanashi Prefecture, bathed in abundant sunshine, can be purchased primarily through direct purchase at the farm or via online mail order. Each method has its advantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

Direct sales outlets in Yamanashi Prefecture

The biggest appeal of direct sales outlets is the freshness that only a farm-fresh produce can offer. Peaches carefully cultivated by farmers are displayed in stores immediately after harvest. Sometimes, you can even find slightly damaged peaches, known as “rejected” peaches, that wouldn’t normally make it to the market, at reasonable prices. If you’re unsure which peach to choose, don’t hesitate to ask the shop staff for their opinion.

name	region	features
JA Fuefuki Direct Sales Outlets	Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture	This is a JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) direct sales store located in Fuefuki City, an area known for its abundant peach production. Other stores in the area include ”  Ichinomiya Fruit Direct Sales Store ,” ”  Misaka Direct Sales Store ,” and ”  Fujimi Agricultural Products Direct Sales Store ,” offering a wide selection of fresh peaches and processed products.
JA Fruit Yamanashi Direct Sales Outlets	Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture / Yamanashi City	We operate direct sales outlets such as  the ”  Katsunuma Store ” and the ”  Yawata Store .” You can purchase not only freshly picked peaches, but also seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Roadside Stations / Village Stations	Various locations in Yamanashi Prefecture	Peaches are also sold at roadside stations throughout the prefecture, such as ”  Sato no Eki Ichinomiya  , ” ”  Michi no Eki Shirane ,” and ” Michi no Eki  Toyotomi.” They are easy to stop by during a drive or sightseeing trip, and one of the pleasures is discovering local specialties unique to each area.

Mail order or delivery

For those who live far away or are unable to visit the farm in person, online shopping and delivery are convenient options. You can order fresh peaches directly from the farm without leaving your home. We offer a variety of products, from magnificent peaches perfect for gifts to those you can easily enjoy at home.

Types of sites	Features
JA’s official online store	JA Town’s “JA Fruit Yamanashi” is an online shop operated by agricultural cooperatives. Its appeal lies in its thorough quality control, including checking sugar content with optical sensors, allowing you to choose gifts and other items with confidence.
Direct sales site from producers	This is an online shop operated independently by the farm. A great advantage is that you can see the producer’s face and learn about their passion for cultivation before making a purchase.

summary

One of the charms of Yamanashi peaches is that you can enjoy various varieties depending on the season. Each variety has its own unique sweetness and texture, so there’s the fun of finding your favorite peach. Please use this guide to choose delicious peaches and enjoy the seasonal flavors this year.

There are many ways to enjoy Yamanashi peaches, from savoring local peach sweets to picking fresh ones yourself! They’re perfect for enjoying at home via mail order, and Yamanashi peaches also make a wonderful gift. Why not spend a delightful moment enjoying their sweet and juicy aroma?