Fukushima peaches chosen for imperial gift amid rain‑hit harvest

On July 29, 2026, officials in Kumazawa (桑折町), Fukushima Prefecture selected 210 top‑quality peaches from a pool of 600 that met sugar‑content standards. The fruit, praised for its color, size and flavor, will be boxed and sent to the Japanese Imperial Household, marking the 33rd consecutive year the town provides a “imperial offering” peach.

The day before, heavy rain across Fukushima City and nearby Iizaka caused ripe peaches to drop from trees, forcing farmers to discard large amounts of fruit. growers described the loss as “disappointing” and warned that another bout of “guerrilla rain” could threaten the upcoming harvest season.

Both events highlight the region’s agricultural challenges as it prepares to honor a long‑standing tradition of presenting premium produce to the imperial family.