Strawberry picking in Okinawa
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
I thought that strawberry season here in Japan had come and gone, so I'd resigned myself to waiting until next year to go strawberry picking at one of the famous strawberry farms in Okinawa. But this week, I saw an ad on social media that said there were still opportunities to pick strawberries at a farm near me. Luckily, I was able to catch one of the last days of the strawberry-picking season.
I was surprised at how quiet things were at the farm, given that so many strawberries were still on the vines. It was very peaceful and almost meditative - I was the only guest there during my visit. The owners said, though, that more than 300 people had been through the doors so far this season (which runs December to May).
This farm I visited, Bubble Ichigoya, offers all-you-can-eat plans: Unlike the times I've been strawberry picking in the U.S., where you pick strawberries and put them into a bucket or basket to take home, the idea here is that you eat as you go, and you get 40 minutes to pick and eat as many strawberries as you care to. I made the mistake of visiting right after eating an early lunch, so I didn't even make it to 40 minutes before feeling stuffed! 😂 So that I didn't miss out, I paid a little extra to pick some strawberries to take home to enjoy later.
Another difference from my previous fruit-picking experiences was that this one was entirely inside pleasant greenhouses with raised beds - no bending down or getting your shoes dirty here!
I tried 5 varieties of strawberries during my picking experience. Yotsuboshi (which means 4 stars) is a variety that is known for being both sweet and sour, and it was. I also noticed it had a softer bite than some other varieties. The Suzu variety was just sweet, not as sour, with a delicate flavor. The Haruhi was my favorite; juicy, firm, and tasted like summer. The Kaorino variety was said to be juicy with notes of tea in its flavor (I didn't really pick up on that, but I'm not a super-taster by any means). I also tried the Kenshiro variety which was very sweet with a slightly tougher skin which made for a satisfying bite.
The nutritional power of strawberries
This experience wasn't just 40 minutes of peaceful strolling through a greenhouse picking strawberries - it was also a snacking experience full of health benefits! Strawberries, and berries in general, have been well-studied for their potential and proven heart health promotion, anti-inflammatory effects, brain health protection, and more. Berries are full of vitamins (Vitamin C and folate top the list), minerals like potassium, and phytochemicals that serve as antioxidants. They also are a good source of fiber, which helps with heart health, blood sugar regulation, and digestion.
Strawberry recipe ideas
You don't just have to eat strawberries fresh and plain. You can incorporate them into your diet in many different ways and forms. Here are some ideas.
Make a refreshing smoothie. Use frozen strawberries to combine with Greek yogurt, your choice of milk, and a ripe banana to make a delicious strawberry banana smoothie. For a more filling, high-protein, sweet-and-salty twist, try frozen strawberries, Greek yogurt, milk, a ripe banana, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, and 1-2 TBSP peanut butter.
Add a boost of nutrition to your dessert or breakfast. Add fresh or freeze-dried strawberries on the side of your pancakes or waffles, on top of your ice cream, as an addition to your piece of poundcake or chocolate chip cookie, or mixed in with your breakfast cereal and milk. Adding the fiber of the berries to a breakfast or dessert can help steady your blood-sugar rise which regulates your energy levels and can keep you feeling fuller longer.
Add berries and feta or goat cheese to a simple green salad. One way to elevate your salad is to add berries, a soft cheese, and maybe even a few walnuts or pecans. A little bit goes a long way to making your salad all the more visually appealing and delicious!
Thanks for reading. Have questions or comments? Email me here!
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