Yamanashi prefecture, including Minami Alps City, is the largest producer of grapes in Japan.
Over the relatively long season from August to October a wide variety of grapes are grown.
A particularly popular variety is the ‘Shine Muscat’, a sweet green grape harvested in August.
In Minami Alps there are many vineyards that offer grape picking, making it a popular autumn activity.
With apples, pears, persimmons and kiwifruit also grown from autumn through to winter, Minami Alps is truly a major producer of fruit.