In recent years, Saitama Prefecture's fruit has been drawing growing attention, led by its original brand strawberry "Amarin," with some even calling the prefecture an emerging "Fruit Kingdom."
Now the pear and grape season has arrived in Saitama. Here's a look at the prefecture's prized seasonal flavors.
1. Pears in Saitama Prefecture
Pear Production in Saitama
Pears account for roughly half of Saitama Prefecture's fruit production value, contributing 2.8 billion yen out of a total of 5.2 billion yen, making them the prefecture's leading fruit crop. Within the prefecture, shipments of the "Kosui" variety generally begin from late July through mid-August, followed by the prefecture's own brand pear "Saigyoku" (mid-August to early September), "Housui" (late August to mid-September), "Akizuki" (early to late September), and "Niitaka" (late September to mid-October).
During peak season, direct-sales stands at production areas see long lines of customers.
Technical Expertise Behind Saitama's Pears
Most Awards for Three Consecutive Years at the National Pear Championship
At the "National Pear Championship," hosted by the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association to determine Japan's most delicious pear, producers in Saitama Prefecture have won the top gold award along with numerous other prizes across the three editions held from 2023 through 2025, recording the most awards of any prefecture for three consecutive years. This reflects the high level of technical skill behind pear production in Saitama.
How Saitama Unlocked the Potential of the "Kosui" Variety
Takeshita Daigaku, a plant breeder and variety navigator who shares insights into the history of vegetable and fruit breeding and food culture, has said that it was Saitama Prefecture that unlocked the potential of the "Kosui" variety.
"Kosui" is now grown across Japan as the standard pear variety and holds the largest market share nationwide. When it was first developed at a national research institute, however, it failed to catch on at all due to its susceptibility to disease and low yield.
It was only after Saitama Prefecture's agricultural experiment station and local producers worked through repeated trial and error to establish reliable cultivation techniques that the variety spread nationwide and became the widely known variety it is today.
2. Grapes in Saitama Prefecture
Grape Production in Saitama
Grapes are Saitama's second-largest fruit product by value, accounting for 1.1 billion yen of the prefecture's 5.2 billion yen in total fruit production.
Direct sales are the main channel within the prefecture, offering everything from familiar varieties such as "Kyoho" and "Shine Muscat" to rare ones like "Chichibu Yama Ruby," which is grown only in the Chichibu region.
First-Ever "Saitama Morning-Picked Grape Festival"
To give people an easy way to experience the still-underappreciated charm of Saitama grapes, a two-day special event, the "Saitama Morning-Picked Grape Festival," will be held at Marumaru Higashinihon, just outside Omiya Station's East Exit. With the cooperation of producers from across the prefecture, fresh, morning-picked* grapes will be sold in limited quantities.
*Subject to change depending on harvest conditions.
Venue
Marumaru Higashinihon, East Japan Collaboration Center
1-6-1 Daimoncho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (1-minute walk from Omiya Station East Exit)
https://marumaru-higashinihon.jp/
Schedule
August 29 (Saturday) and 30 (Sunday), 2026
Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on the 30th)
Morning-picked grapes will go on sale as soon as they arrive.
3. Where to Buy Pears and Grapes
Direct-Sales Farms and Stores
Information on farms and direct-sales stores throughout the prefecture that carry pears and grapes is available on the Saitama agricultural products portal site, "SAITAMA Wasshoi!"
https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/saitama-wassyoi/
Pear- and Grape-Picking Farms
Information on tourist farms throughout the prefecture where visitors can try pear picking and grape picking is available on "Green Tourism Saitama" (Guritsuri Saitama).
https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/greentourism/enjoy/taiken/index.html
