TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The fragrance of wine shrouds the whole city of Feufeki, Yamanashi Prefecture, in the middle of Japan. The red colors of fresh grape berries are seen everywhere, dangling in the front yards of the houses.
Early August until the upcoming mid November is the season to pick grapes in this land. In other perspective, this is the time for local resident to hold a vineyard party.
Like the one held in Tsu Ka Ha Ra. Despite my inability to have long conversation, it was not difficult for me to enjoy the party, especially because the banquets were served with very friendly attitude.
“Arigato gozaimasu” was the word I said most of the time during the party.
Tsu Ka Ha Ra vineyard is one of favorite place where most Japanese loved to spent time with their families. In this vineyard, visitors are allowed to pick the grape and eat it under the shade of the grape vines.
The air in this area is so fresh, not a single vehicle allowed to come into the yard area. Visitors are asked to park their cars and motorbikes in gift center Misakanoen. A bus would pick up and transport the visitors to the vineyard where the yard owners would have prepared chairs and scissors to pick the grapes.
Tickets are to be purchased in Misakanoen at the price of JPY450 to 650 for children and JPY880 to 1,200 for adults. The ticket includes eating the grapes on the farm as much as they can. Visitors have to pay separated fees for grapes they want to bring home.
Tsu Ka Ha Ra is not the only one. Other vineyards are stretched along both sides of Fuefuki street. This city is well known as the biggest grape and peach producing city in Japan. In this city we can also sip on various kind of wine such as Kaiji, Kyohou, and Konsu. There are also breweries that process the grape into wine. Koshu wine production usually starts on November once the picking season has ended.
All of those enjoyments were right in front of me: the fresh grape accompanied by wine. To be honest, it was my first time to drink wine the way I drink water: too much. But no worries, since Grape Rouge produced in Fuefuki is non-alcohol wine. That is why I kept pouring more and more wine into my cup. Very enjoyable.
Before the grape-picking season ends, the season to pick persimmon (Diospyros kaki) will be coming on the late September until early November. Fuyugaki is the all time favorite. It is big and sweet. I could not help but curious to pick the persimmons soon.
In fact, before the grape season starts, from July to late August to be exact, there was peach season in Fuefuki. Just like vineyard party, there is peach yard party holds every peach season. The tariff for this season is JPY880 to 1,200.
Later in the end of the year, it will be the time for strawberry season. The party held in strawberry season is not too natural because the strawberries are grown inside green houses. However, there will be plenty of strawberry to eat until May. Yummy.
Besides its fruity image, Fuefuki is also known for its hotspring water pool up to 68 Celsius degree. In the winters, the hot spring sites are crowded. The hot spring water is a favorite to help cope with the cold winter weather and to help reduce stress and fatigue.
All in all, Fuefuki deserves to be on the list of the dream city destination in Japan.
KORAN TEMPO