Chiba prefecture pears hit peak season as first Tokyo auction takes place

Japan’s Chiba prefecture, which has topped national pear production for 29 consecutive years, is in the midst of its 2026 pear season. The early‑ripening “Kousui” variety, which makes up about half of the prefecture’s output, was auctioned for the first time this year at Tokyo’s Ota market on July 21. A total of 318 cases from farms in Isumi and Ichinomiya were sold at 10,000 yen per 10 kg, matching last year’s price. Market officials and middlemen praised the fruit’s size, sweetness and growing popularity.

In nearby Ichikawa city, more than 100 direct‑sale outlets offer the region’s four main pear cultivars – Kousui, Hosui, Akizuki and Nintaka – with sales beginning in late July. Ichikawa, recognized as the historic birthplace of Chiba’s pear cultivation, promotes the fruit through local maps and events. The combined seasonal harvest and market activity highlight Chiba’s continued leadership in Japan’s pear industry.