Pick mandarin oranges at Kanayama Pilot Farm, Kumano's mandarin orange growing area! We also recommend the direct sales store where you can find seasonal mandarin oranges♪

Speaking of Mie's ``mandarin oranges'' area, HigashiKishu is blessed with a warm climate.
Among them, at Kanayama Pilot Farm in Kanayama-cho, KumanoCity, which has the largest mandarin orange orchard in Mie Prefecture, you can enjoy mandarin orange picking for unlimited time during the season!

This mandarin orange picking event is held from late October to early December every year, and on sunny days, under the soft sunlight, you can pick and taste the mandarin oranges of your choice, and have a relaxing and fun picnic-like atmosphere. You can have a great time♪
*The timing may vary depending on the growth status of Satsuma mandarin oranges.

``I want people to be able to choose and enjoy the mandarin oranges that grow in the mandarin orange fields, thinking to themselves, ``These mandarin oranges from this tree are delicious.''
said Kenichi Satoguchi, representative of Kanayama Pilot Farm.

See this with your own eyes! It's fun to choose, but since we're here, we thought we'd ask a professional to give us some tips on how to identify delicious oranges.
``It's a good idea to pick a mandarin orange tree that grows in abundance, above the middle of the tree, in a sunny spot facing downwards!Basically, the darker the color, the higher the sugar content.'' That's what he said.

When I asked for more details, I was told that if you choose a mandarin orange that has a narrower stem that connects the fruit to the tree, or one that has slightly lighter colored leaves, you are more likely to get a sweeter mandarin orange!
Once you start paying attention to mandarin orange picking, it becomes a very profound world.

After picking a lot of mandarin oranges, we stuffed them into the plastic bags given to us in advance and took them home. Approximately 2 kg for adults and 1 kg for children. For a while, you can eat all-you-can-eat mandarin oranges at home!

At Kanayama Pilot Farm, blueberry picking started in 2011.
You can also enjoy picking blueberries from mid-July to early August, focusing on two types of blueberries: rabbit-eye bright veil and powder blue.

*Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the schedule for 2021 is currently undecided (as of February). Also, please inquire as the time approaches.

In addition to the tangerine-picking season, you can find a variety of tangerines from fall to spring at the direct sales shop ``Kuma no Paradise,'' located right near the tangerine-picking area.
From the very early Satsuma mandarin oranges that ripen in mid-September to the Kawachi bankan fruits that are harvested around April, seasonal mandarin oranges are available in stores at that time of year.

When I visited for this interview in mid-February, ``Setoka'', also known as the ``Queen of Mandarin Oranges'' due to its rich sweetness and distinct flavor, is in season.
``Setoka'' is a variety that is a cross between ``Kiyomi,'' a variety that is a cross between a Satsuma mandarin orange and an orange, and the high-grade citrus fruits Encore orange and Murcott orange.
This mandarin orange is characterized by its melt-in-the-mouth flesh wrapped in a rich orange aroma.

The store also has other varieties such as ``Sweet Spring,'' a cross between Unshu mandarin and Hassaku, ``Shiranui,'' a cross between Kiyomi and Ponkan, and ``Harumi.''
According to Mr. Isozaki, a staff member who always explains about mandarin oranges to customers, February, after the unshu mandarin season that begins in mid-September, is when many varieties of mandarin oranges are lined up.

However, the season for all types of tangerines is short, so what kind of tangerines you can find depends on your timing!
The ``Reiko'' variety, which is as popular as ``Setoka'' for its rich flavor and orange texture, has already reached the end of its season.

From March onwards, ``Kiyomi'', the variety from which ``Setoka'' and ``Reiko'' are derived, and ``Kawachi Bankan'', which is related to the pomelo and is said to be a Japanese group fruit, have appeared.
These varieties have a refreshing taste compared to others.

Also, among the Wenzhou mandarin oranges, the one that is known for its deliciousness is the high-quality "Multi mandarin orange" with a high sugar content. These mandarin oranges are grown by covering the ground of a field with a white porous sheet (mulch sheet), controlling moisture appropriately, and amplifying sunlight. It appears around the beginning of November every year, and many people are looking for it, and it is said that it sells out within a week or two! I would like to visit at the right time.

When we visited in February, large strawberries were as popular among shoppers as mandarin oranges. It will be available in Kuma no Paradise stores from December to May. It seems that they are already sold out by mid-afternoon, so we recommend arriving early!

At Kuma no Paradise, juice made from ripe mandarin oranges is also popular, making it the perfect souvenir from your trip!
There are various types of juices, but the most popular one is ``Kuma no Sodachi,'' which is made from 100% Unshu mandarin oranges. Black Label's mandarin orange juice, made from multi-mandarin oranges, has a rich flavor.

It would be fun to drink and compare different types of tangerine juice, each with its own characteristics!

The ``Maru Mikan Compote'', which is made by peeling unshu oranges and stuffing them whole, will also catch your eye! The subtle sweetness of sugar enhances the charm of Satsuma mandarin oranges.
In addition, during the summer, we also offer luxurious shaved ice made with mandarin orange juice and topped with original honey containing mandarin pulp! If you like sweets, this is a dish you should try at least once.

During the interview, store staff were carefully explaining the characteristics of mandarin oranges to shoppers who were visiting one after another.
Even if you only know about Wenzhou mandarin oranges, you will become a "mandarin orange connoisseur" by visiting Kanayama Pilot Farm.

Kuma no Paradise is about 15 minutes from Kumano-Odomari IC on the Kisei Expressway.
There are many sightseeing spots that I would like to visit along the way, but this time I decided to stop by Hananoiwaya-jinjaShrine, which is mentioned in the Nihon Shoki and is said to be the oldest shrine in Japan.

This place has been considered a sacred place since ancient times as the mausoleum where Izanami no Mikoto, the mother of the gods, gave birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi no Mikoto and was buried after she was burned to death. The object of worship is this gigantic rock that is 45 meters high. You will be overwhelmed by its presence towering far above your head. After Izanami no Mikoto's death, her husband Izanagi no Mikoto set out to the land of Yomi Gaeri in his desire to see his wife again, so it is believed that there is an entrance to Yomi Gaeri in Hana-no-Iwaya Ta.

Enjoy the taste of mandarin oranges and immerse yourself in a divine feeling at a power spot. Every time I visit Kumano, I am reminded that it is a place that brings back many different emotions.

Kanayama Pilot Farm
Address: 2400 KumanoCity Kumano 519-4327
Phone number/0597-89-5222

Tourist farm/direct sales store “Kuma no Paradise”
Address: 2231-5 KumanoCity Kumano 519-4327
Phone number/0597-89-1020
Business hours/9:00-17:30
Closed days/Irregular holidays
Parking lot/54 cars, 3 large buses
Access by car: Approximately 15 minutes from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC
Access by public transportation: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from KumanoCity Station on the Kisei Main Line

Orange picking information
Business days/every day during the event period
Business hours/9:30-16:00
Parking lot/Kuma no Paradise parking lot
Inquiries/Tourist farm/direct sales store "Kuma no Paradise" 0597-89-1020
Fees (individual)/
Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,200 yen Souvenir 2kg
Children (elementary school students and above) 800 yen Souvenir 1kg
Infant (3 years old and over) 500 yen Souvenir 1kg
Fees (group)/
Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,000 yen Souvenir 2kg
Children (elementary school students and above) 700 yen Souvenir 1kg
Infant (3 years old and over) 500 yen Souvenir 1kg
*If there are more than 20 people including adults, children, and infants, it will be treated as a group (reservation required)