Embraced on two sides by the Japanese Alps, the idyllic orchard town of Matsukawa in Nagano provides the stage for our experience.

Matsukawa is a well-known fruit picking destination and has a long-standing fruit farming tradition that goes back over 100 years. From June to November, there is plenty of fruit to savor- cherries, blueberries, peaches, and plums in the summer; grapes, pears, and of course, apples in the autumn.

Here we organize a unique "table to farm" dining experience: an outdoor restaurant under the sky, surrounded by sturdy fruit trees, with the breathtaking view of the Alps rising up in the background.

We begin with a short tour of the grounds. The farmer walks us around their orchard, tells us about fruit farming and offers fruit tasting when in season. At the end of the guided walk, we gather at the orchard’s most scenic spot to enjoy a simple aperitif of locally brewed hard cider together with the farmer.

Then, it is time for our meal, a full-course fusion meal prepared with over 95% locally sourced ingredients- fruit but also organic vegetables, freshwater fish, and even pork and wild game.