Aomori is famous nationwide for the quality of its apples, and as Japan’s largest producer, apple cultivation plays a pivotal role in the prefecture’s agricultural community. As a resident of the Tokyo metropolitan area, I can usually only dream of finding farm-fresh produce that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Lucky for me, during my trip to Hachinohe I could get hands-on with my favorite fruit in a way that city slickers like me can usually only dream of, thanks to Kita no Fruit Parlor.

Kita no Fruit Parlor is about a 50-minute car ride from the city proper, but it's more than worth it. It offers visitors the opportunity to pick fresh, seasonal fruits directly from the branch or vine. As if that weren’t delectable enough, there’s also a parfait workshop, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Layered with your choice of fresh preserves, whipped cream, crispy, fried soba noodles, smooth vanilla ice cream and a selection of berries, my mouth was watering before I began.

Under the watchful eye of cheerful instructors, who made the knife work look effortless, I was able to carve up my share of their crisp, juicy apples grown on-site. Although I clearly don’t have the dexterity or artistic abilities of the professionals, my biggest obstacle was resisting the urge to immediately eat every slice I attempted to carve. Making a mistake has never tasted so good!

Although I’m not normally a big dessert eater, the light tartness of the apples was impossible to resist, and it wasn’t long before I reached the bottom of my dish. To cap it all off, I washed it down with a refreshing glass of their homemade apple juice, which is also available for purchase.

While Kita no Fruit Parlor is open throughout the year, operating hours can be a little irregular depending on the season. To confirm operation hours and availability, contact them through the link below.