Pickin` Fruit

People do take time off here though (on the national holidays - because that`s the only legitimate way of taking a holiday without appearing weak/ not working for the team/ whatever on earth the reason is that Japanese people never take all of their allotted holiday time).
No, of course not only then, I am (slightly) exaggerating.

And the funny little activities I have done here are worth writing about because it`s not a standard thing to go and pick fruit in autumn - yet I have done it twice in nearly as many weeks!!

It`s a NICE experience. The best word for it. You go along (to an out-of-town establishment), everything is very gentle and friendly. You pay your money, you walk a few steps, and their you are, amoung the fruit trees. Nothing to hardcore, or too over exerting (because remember, this is a fun activity so everything is very safe, signposted and near). I go fruit picking when people have suggested it because I like to walk around in a bit of greenery for once in a while and feel the grass under my feet (a rare lost experience in the Japanese summer I have experienced).

Of course, you have to pay for this fun experience. Of course you do, to enter, and then you pay for what you pick.

Fruit is at a premium in Japan (and vegetables for that matter). It`s so expensive. And definitely makes you appreciate it MUCH more. I would never dream of letting an apple go bad. It is a real treat for me to have an apple in Japan and I savour it definitely. I think they must be a lot sweeter in Japan.
And the nashi pears, - well, they`re in a league of their own. These pears cost upwards of 1 pound fifty EACH. Definitely for special occassions only. If you ate 5 fruit and veg a day you`d be bankrupt in Japan, I`m sure.