Have you ever seen a lychee orchard in full bloom?

Have you ever experienced the pleasure of eating a freshly picked, juicy lychee?

Today, we are excited to introduce a unique destination where you can enjoy the rare and delightful experience of lychee picking in Miyazaki!

Lychee is a popular fruit that was a favorite of Yang Guifei, a Chinese consort who lived during the Tang Dynasty and one of the “Four Beauties of Ancient China.” It is commonly enjoyed in warmer regions, particularly in southern China and southeast Asia.

In Japan, domestic lychee production accounts for less than 1% of the market, with most being imports. Miyazaki prefecture is one of the biggest exporters of lychee. Farms that grow lychee can be found in the towns of Takanabe, Shintomi, Aya, and Miyakonojo. The exceptional taste and quality of Miyazaki’s lychees have recently gained significant domestic and international attention.

MiKi FARM Lychee Picking Orchard (ミキファームライチ摘み取り園) is nestled in the beautiful farmlands of Takanabe Town. Here, visitors have the rare opportunity to pick fresh lychees straight from the trees.

This expansive farm features fifteen greenhouses dedicated to lychee cultivation, where over 1,300 lychee trees thrive. With over 20 years of experience in lychee cultivation, MiKi FARM has gained a loyal following for its large and delicious lychees. Every year, repeat customers from across Japan visit to savor the exceptional taste of their lychees.

Let’s visit one of the farms and see the lychee cultivation firsthand!

When the fruit begins to grow, a process called thinning is carried out to ensure that only five to ten large fruits remain on each branch. This prevents the nutrients from being spread too thin and directs them to specific fruits, helping them grow larger and more flavorful.

Deciding which fruits to keep and when to thin them is done entirely by hand. Skilled experts carefully inspect each fruit, using their experience and expertise to ensure that only the best fruits are selected.

After harvesting, the trees are pruned and the number of new buds is adjusted, with careful consideration of the size and number of fruits for the following year. The reason MiKi FARM can produce high-quality, delicious lychees every year is due to the expertise of experienced farmers who have a deep understanding of lychee cultivation.

“Lychees start to change color and lose their freshness the moment they’re picked, so they’re at their absolute best right when you harvest them,” explains Mr.Terao, the farm manager. “A lot of people think of the brownish frozen lychees, but fresh lychees are a whole different experience in both look and taste.”

How does the flavor of Miyazaki’s ruby-red lychees taste?

During the picking experience, all harvested lychees must be placed in a basket, and payment is made based on the weight at the reception (600 yen per 100g). Please note that snacking in the greenhouse without the guide’s permission, taking lychees home in your pockets, and discarding damaged lychees are strictly prohibited. If you’d like to enjoy the lychees while they’re fresh, please remember to weigh and pay for them first!

After harvesting lychees at the farm, you can cool off with a delicious, seasonal lychee drink and sweets at “Cafe GARDEN.” The reception area and the cafe are surrounded by beautiful, expansive lawns, featuring spacious sofa seating and a lovely terrace.

Next summer, visit Miyazaki to enjoy the extraordinary experience of seeing lychees growing and savoring the fresh fruit right on the spot!

The lychee picking season at MiKi FARM runs from late June to the end of July each year. For detailed dates and information, please check their official website.

Website: https://miki-farm.co.jp/
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
No reservation needed
Payment Methods: Cash and PayPay