[Yamagata Prefecture] Buy Cherries Here! 3 Recommended Direct Sales Stores Selected by Locals and How to Identify Delicious Cherries

If we're talking about the most famous fruit in Yamagata Prefecture, it's undoubtedlycherries.

This time, for those who want to buy delicious cherries in Yamagata, we will introduce recommended direct sales outlets where you can buy freshly picked cherries , as well as how to distinguish delicious cherries

---

When is cherry season?

Yamagata cherries can be purchased from late May to late July, but they are said to be in season from mid-June

Among them, the "Sato Nishiki" variety, known as the "king of cherries" and particularly popular, is most readily available from mid-June to late June

While slightly more expensive, theBeni Shuho variety is sweeter and has a longer shelf life than Sato Nishiki, with its peak harvest season from late June to mid-July. Choose the variety and purchase time that best suits your preferences and budget.

---

If you're looking to buy, here are 3 recommended direct sales stores!

Here are three recommended direct sales stores for purchasing cherries

Yoreke Popola (Higashine City)

Yoreke Popola is a direct sales store run by JA Sakuranbo Higashine, and boasts a large sales area and a wide variety of products

During cherry season, this direct sales store is bustling with people buying cherries not only from within Yamagata Prefecture but also from neighboring Miyagi Prefecture and other prefectures. What makes

this store special is that producers can freely package and set their own prices for their prized products, so even within the same variety, there are many options to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect product to suit your budget and purpose.

As it is a very popular store, be prepared for queues when visiting during cherry season.

---

Agriland Direct Sales Center (Sagae City)

This is a direct sales store that is often used by Yamagata residents when purchasing cherries as gifts. You can get fresh and delicious cherries here

Agriland Direct Sales Center is a fascinating place where you can find not only cherries but also fresh local vegetables and beef from the prefecture at reasonable prices, making it easy to fill your arms with purchases as soon as you step inside.

This is also a very popular spot, with long lines forming during cherry season.

---

Direct from the Farm Sun Pure (Tendo City)

Sanchoku Sun Pure is a direct sales store with excellent access, located on the same premises as the Tendo Onsen Roadside Station along National Route 13

The attraction is the wide range of products available, including fresh cherries, locally grown vegetables and rice, Tendo City's specialty products and crafts, etc

In addition to offering a wide variety of souvenirs made with cherries, the adjacent "Tento La France Factory" sells gelato made with local fruits that can only be found here, allowing you to enjoy a diverse range of ways to savor cherries

In addition, there's a free footbath,a "Wakuwaku Land",a cafe, and a large bookstore, making it a fun place you won't want to leave.

Not only can you buy cherries, but it's also a great spot for the whole family to enjoy on one site, so it's also recommended for leisure activities

---

How to identify delicious cherries

If you're going to buy cherries, you want to choose sweet and fresh ones, right?
Here are some tips on how to spot delicious cherries, useful not only when buying them at a direct sales store but also when buying them at the supermarket.

The fruit is firm and shiny

This is a standard that applies to many ingredients, but choose fruit that is shiny and not wilted

It has less unevenness and a vivid color

Cherries that have been evenly exposed to sunlight are very sweet. Since cherries don't ripen further after being picked, choose those that are red rather than still green. However, be careful, as cherries that are too dark in color may be overripe and spoil quickly.
(Some varieties, like "Beni Sayaka," taste better when they are darker.)

Large grains

The larger the cherry, the sweeter and tastier it is, and the higher the price it tends to fetch. If the price is the same, it's better to choose the larger one

Thick stems and dark color

As the stem loses freshness, it will wither and turn brown. A thick, green stem is a sign of freshness

---

summary

We've introduced some recommended direct sales outlets for buying cherries in Yamagata, as well as tips on how to choose delicious cherries.
In addition to the places we've mentioned, you'll find many farm-run direct sales outlets and orchards during cherry season, so you're sure to get fresh cherries if you go to Yamagata.
Because the cherry season is short, be sure to choose truly delicious cherries and enjoy the taste of early summer.

---