The best strawberries in Tokyo

In Japan, strawberries are more than just strawberries. They arrive with the chill of winter, quietly marking the beginning of a season as anticipated as the cherry blossom season.

From December to early spring, strawberries take center stage as the most popular fruit – neatly stacked in supermarket display cases, hang up (department store basement) and transformed into luxurious desserts. Here are some common strawberry varieties you may see in supermarkets and fruit shops around Tokyo, each with a slightly different taste.

The most common strawberry varieties in Japan

Tochiotome (Tochigi Prefecture)

Tochiotome is one of the most widely consumed strawberries in eastern Japan and is often the first variety people encounter. Medium in size, bright red in color, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity, reliable and versatile. This strawberry is often used in shortbread, parfaits and convenience store desserts.

Tochigi Prefecture’s reputation as Japan’s strawberry capital can largely be traced to Tochiotome. It holds its shape well, spreads more easily than soft varieties, and has a familiar, comforting flavor.

Tochiaika (Tochigi Prefecture)

Tochiaika is a newer strawberry variety that was developed in 2019 as Tochigi Prefecture’s next-generation flagship variety and is quickly gaining attention. Tochiga is sweeter than Tochiotome, has less acidity, has a milder, rounder flavor, and is heart-shaped when cut in half.

Visually, it’s slightly larger, darker, and softer to the bite. Although the distribution of Tochiotome is not yet as common as that of Tochiotome, Tochigo is increasingly easier to find in supermarkets and specialty fruit stores, especially during the peak season. For those who prefer sweet to strong flavors, this is one to look out for.

Ganou (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Known as the “King of Strawberries,” Ganwang berries are famous for their large, plump, and rich sweetness. This variety is even certified as the heaviest strawberry in the world, and it lives up to its name – “Amaou” is short for Strawberry Akai (red), Marui (round), i like it (big) sum Umai (tasty).

Ganwang strawberries have high sugar content, low acidity, and a super rich and mouth-watering flavor. They are often sold individually or in small packages for use in luxury desserts, gift boxes and seasonal cafe menus. Even one or two will feel like a treat rather than a snack.

Yukioka (Nagasaki Prefecture)

Yukioka strawberries are a specialty of Nagasaki. They are dark red in color and have a fragrant rather than purely sweet taste. Their aroma is stronger and their texture is softer but still firm, releasing flavor almost immediately after slicing. There’s a noticeable acidity beneath the sweetness, which is why pastry chefs favor them, as they pair well with cream, custards and sponge cakes.

Benihop (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Benihoppe is a favorite among those who like fruity flavors. It is more sour than Ganwang, with a deeper, more pronounced flavor. Shizuoka-grown Benihoppe strawberries are widely sold in Tokyo during winter and early spring, and they tend to be cheaper than premium gift varieties.

Yayoi Princess (Gunma Prefecture)

Yayoi-hime strawberries are often overlooked, but impressive, despite their reputation for retaining their flavor and texture into the final months of strawberry season. This variety is large, light red in color, sweet in taste, low in acidity, and easy to eat. The firm, juicy texture helps them withstand long hauls and stay fresher longer.

Because Yayoi-hime strawberries are grown relatively close to Tokyo, they are often found in regional supermarkets and farmers’ markets, especially late in the season.

White strawberry: Amangyuki (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Originally native to Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Danyuki is one of the most famous white strawberry varieties in Japan. It is characterized by its light pink skin and light red flesh, which always maintains a soft color.

Unlike red strawberries, which rely on acidity for their distinctive sweet flavor, Awayuki berries are particularly mild, with very low acidity and a subtle sweetness. The variety’s delicate flavor is best enjoyed fresh and at room temperature, where its aroma becomes more pronounced.

In addition to Awayuki, several other famous white strawberry varieties are found in Japan, including Hatsugai Kaori from Yamanashi Prefecture, Tokun from Hokkaido, and Milky Berry from Tochigi Prefecture. You can find them in specialty fruit shops and department stores, where they are usually sold in small quantities.

Where to find strawberries around Tokyo

supermarket

For daily travel, supermarkets are the easiest option. Chains such as Life, Seijo Ishii and Aeon regularly stock Tochiotome, Benihoppe and seasonal regional varieties. Prices fluctuate depending on the time of year, with January to March being the best time for quality and value.

Underground stores such as Isetan, Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi offer higher-end options, including Ami and carefully graded local strawberries, often sold as gifts.

wholesale market

Toyosu Market not only sells seafood, but is also a major distribution center for fruits and vegetables. Although it is more suitable for professionals, some retailers within the complex High quality strawberries are sold early in the morning at competitive prices. greengrocers like Oshimaya, Toyoshu Kushiya and Beautiful Wife Junhe Valley Known for selling fresh fruits as well as vegetables and condiments.

farmers market

Providing one of the most direct ways to buy strawberries in Tokyo, farmers market Typically features small-scale growers selling fruit picked a day or two before. You might even come across some varieties that aren’t always available in the big supermarket chains.

market The UNU Farmers Market (Aoyama), Taiyo Market (Katsudori), and weekend pop-ups around Tokyo often offer seasonal strawberries from nearby prefectures such as Chiba, Saitama, and Tochigi. Prices may be higher than in the supermarket, but the freshness is evident and the growers are usually happy to explain the varieties they sell and how best to enjoy the berries.

Strawberry Picking Farm

Pick strawberries, or Ichigo Garya fun activity for all ages. From January to April, farms in Tochigi, Chiba, Saitama, Yamanashi and Kanagawa prefectures open their greenhouses to the public, often as a limited-time buffet. Since many farms allow you to visit multiple varieties at one time, a round of strawberry picking is one of the best ways to taste the flavor differences first-hand.

Check our tour guide The best places to pick strawberries around Tokyo.

Cafes and dessert shops

from delicious Ichigo Daifuku butterscotch fruit sandoIn winter and spring, seasonal strawberry desserts can be found everywhere. Cafe menus change quickly, and parfaits, tarts and shortbreads made from premium varieties like Amaou tend to only appear for a few weeks at a time, so timing is important.

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Updated on January 28, 2026