Strawberry
Tochiotome
Skyberry
Tochi-Aika

The largest strawberry production in Japan for over half a century

The Strawberry Kingdom Tochigi
In FY2019, 25,400 tons of strawberries were produced in Tochigi prefecture. Since 1968, meaning forover a half century, we have been the largest strawberry producer in Japan. The background of thisachievement is the history of producers, agricultural groups, and the government working together toconduct cultivation technique research and repeated breed improvement. In recent years, summer andautumn strawberries that are shipped between June and October have been produced. Delicious
strawberries can now be enjoyed throughout the year.

Japan's only strawberry
research instituteTo further develop the "Strawberry Kingdom Tochigi", Japan's first"Strawberry Research Institute" opened in 2008. The Institute not only
grows new breeds and develops new techniques to support
next-generation cultivation but also has newly acquired capabilities tosurvey and analyze consumption trends and provide training. As thecomprehensive strawberry R&D base, the institute is supporting the"Strawberry Kingdom".

Strawberry varieties grown in Tochigi prefectureTochiotome

SkyberryTochihime

SEASON: October - June

SEASON: November - June

SEASON: December - May

Tochiotome strawberries are rich in flavorand very juicy. The Tochiotome's goodbalance between sweetness and sourness isthe blessing of winter sunshine.

Skyberry is large in size and features thetraditional flavor. The fruit tastes light,sweet, and juicy. Skyberry is the perfectchoice for indulging yourself or as a gift tosomeone important to you.

Tochihime is a super rare variety that can beeaten only at strawberry farms operating also
as tourist destinations in Tochigi prefecture.
It is large and red all the way through thefruit. With a soft skin and fruit, Tochihime isjuicy and very sweet.

Natsuotome

Milkyberry

Tochi-Aika

SEASON: June - October

SEASON: December - May

SEASON: October - June

Natsuotome strawberries are harvested
during summer. They are sour and are
perfect ingredients for sweets such as gelato.
You'll see red hearts in the middle when you
cut one in half.

Milkyberry strawberries are large and tastyand feature a bright white skin and fruit. As
the name suggests, the fruit is as white as
milk. The creamy texture and sweetness
make Milkyberry special.

Tochi-Aika is a new variety developed by
the Strawberry Research Institute, and 2020
was the first year of shipment. It ischaracterized by little sourness and plenty ofsweetness. Because the hull area isdepressed, the fruit looks like a heart symbol
when cut in half.

Secrets of the great taste ofTochigi strawberries
1. Long daylight hours in winter2. A large day-night temperature difference
3. Effective use of advanced technology
Taking advantage of the Tochigi climate and environment, sweet and delicious
strawberries are made possible by greenhouse cultivation with the maximum use of
winter sunshine to make strawberries ripen slowly under a constant temperature. Use of
a control system enabled with advanced information communication technology (ICT)
for managing the greenhouse temperature, humidity, illumination level, and CO2
concentration allows strawberry farmers to increase the harvest of higher-quality
strawberries.

Tips for choosing good strawberries
and enjoying their taste
The shape generally has no influence on the taste. Choose large and glossy strawberries.
They taste the best when the entire fruit is red. Strawberries are the sweetest at their tip.
Therefore, satisfaction increases if you save the tip to the end.

Fun of strawberry picking
One of the ways to fully enjoy delicious Tochigi strawberries is "strawberrypicking" at strawberry farms open for tourists. There are many farms in theprefecture. Although the variety of strawberries available and the picking
procedure vary with the site, farms in general offer a 30-minute all-you-can-eat
picking program. These farms receive many tourists from not only inside andoutside Tochigi but also from overseas (mainly from South East Asia), andvisitors are satisfied by the natural flavor of strawberries.
For more details, visit strawberry farm websites.

Amazing strawberry desserts
In Tochigi prefecture, you can enjoy a wide variety of desserts using strawberries
such as strawberry gelato made by mixing strawberries and fresh milk ice cream orpancakes with a lot of strawberries.

Strawberry exports and PR activities
We have exported strawberries primarily to South East Asian countries including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. We also had opportunities to carry out
a wide variety of PR activities. Our strawberries have been very well received.

 PR activity in the USA

 Strawberry stand in Thailand

Eat Tochigi !
- Strawberry Strawberries are the leading agricultural product of Tochigi prefecture. The prefecture has many
strawberry farms open to tourists where they can pick strawberries and eat them as well as places
that offer tasty desserts.
In this video, three foreigners living in Tochigi prefecture visit these places, learn how to pickstrawberries and the characteristics of each variety, and wholeheartedly enjoy (Japan's best)
strawberries that Tochigi prefecture proudly presents!

Producer's comment
One of the important elements in growing strawberries is greenhousetemperature control. We have installed a temperature control system that uses
data accumulated by the Tochigi prefectural government and havesuccessfully stabilized the growth. The most rewarding moment for us,
producers, is when consumers eat high-quality strawberries we have grown
and say "delicious." Please try our Tochigi strawberries.

Tochigi Agricultural Produce Marketing Association© 2020 Tochigi Agricultural Product Marketing Association. All Rights Reserved.