About this tour
When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this tour near Sapporo's South Ward, we picked cherries and strawberries on Mt. Hakken, then warmed up with jingiskan (grilled mutton) at a local spot. The area sprawls across skiing, hiking, and camping terrain, so the day feels like sampling what makes this corner of Sapporo tick. The package runs 1h 20m to 4 hours depending on how deep you go, with hotel pickup in a comfortable van. It's a neat half-day or full-morning option if you want to step out of the city without committing to a serious expedition.
Highlights
- Pick your own cherries and strawberries straight from the farm
- Hot spring dip included — proper way to end picking work
- Local jingiskan meal; grilled meat cooked on table right there
- Mt. Hakken setting shows why South Ward is outdoor hub
- Air-conditioned van pickup beats the hike from central Sapporo
- Guides know the fruit-picking season rhythms and what's ripe
- Small group feel; not a cattle-run experience
What to expect
You'll be collected from your hotel in a decent van and driven south toward Mt. Hakken. The farm sits in rolling countryside — a proper shift from the city, though not remote. Depending on the season, you'll spend a good chunk of time hunting cherries and strawberries. It's genuinely hands-on: you pick what you want, clip it, and often taste as you go. The guides talk you through what's ripe and which plants are worth your time.
After picking, there's the hot spring stop to clean up and warm through. Then jingiskan — you cook thin meat slices on a tabletop grill, eating it fresh. The pace is relaxed. Crowds aren't usually a problem on this tour, though peak cherry season (early summer) gets busier. The whole thing feels manageable, not rushed.
What travellers say
- Fruit picking is tactile and tasty — zero pretence
- Hot spring inclusion makes the day feel well-rounded
- Jingiskan is the real deal, not a tourist gimmick
- Guide knowledge of local terrain adds genuine context
- Hotel pickup removes navigation headache entirely
- Not suitable for spinal, cardiovascular, or pregnancy concerns
- Fruit variety depends entirely on season — limited choice off-peak
- Farm heat exposure in summer can be draining
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Fruit hunting beats supermarket shopping — you're eating what you picked an hour ago. The hot spring is a genuine bonus, not a token add-on. Jingiskan is a proper local ritual, not tourist food. Guides are knowledgeable about the region's outdoor offerings. Suits anyone who can walk gently through a farm without major joint or heart strain.
Not advisable if you have spinal injuries, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns — the farm walking and van travel demand basic fitness. Early starts are likely; confirm pickup time when you book. Fruit availability swings with season, so don't turn up expecting every variety. Summer heat can be intense; bring sun protection and water. Group sizes vary, so you might share the van with others. What's in: fruit-hunting fee, hot spring entry, vehicle. What you pay extra for: meals beyond the jingiskan lunch (if drinks or extras appealed), tips.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.