April in Japan marks the height of spring, bringing mild temperatures and consistent rainfall across most regions. It’s a key sowing and transplanting period for rice and vegetables, as well as the harvest season for spring fruits and tea. The countryside becomes active with planting and field preparation, especially in rural prefectures like Yamagata, Shizuoka, and Kyushu regions.
Key Crops Planted or Transplanted in April
1. Rice (Ine)
- Activity: Seedlings grown in March are now transplanted into flooded paddies
- Regions: Niigata, Akita, Yamagata, Fukuoka
- Method: Machine and manual transplanting using precise water levels
- Harvest: September–October
- Note: Shorter-duration rice varieties are preferred in colder areas
2. Spring Vegetables
- Planted now for early summer harvest
- Examples:
- Cabbage (Kyabetsu)
- Spinach (Hourensou)
- Carrots (Ninjin)
- Burdock (Gobou)
- Technique: Raised beds, plastic mulch, tunnel houses for cold protection
3. Soybeans & Sweet Potatoes
- Preparation in progress; sowing begins end of April to early May
- Grown widely in: Hokkaido, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima
- Used for tofu, miso, and snacks
Key Harvests in April
1. Strawberries (Ichigo)
- Harvested in greenhouses in Tochigi, Fukuoka, and Shizuoka
- Japan is known for high-quality premium strawberries, often sold as gifts
2. Green Tea (Shincha)
- First flush (new leaves) picked in Shizuoka and Kagoshima
- Highly prized in Japanese tea culture
- Timing depends on temperature and elevation
3. Spring Bamboo Shoots (Takenoko)
- Grown in Kyushu and central Japan forests
- Short harvest window, used in traditional dishes like bamboo rice
Regional Farming Snapshot
| Region |
Activity |
| Hokkaido |
Soil prep for soy, potato, and corn |
| Kyushu |
Early rice transplant, strawberry harvest |
| Shizuoka |
Green tea picking, vegetable planting |
| Tohoku |
Rice seedling transplant, cold protection |
| Kanto |
Leafy greens and root vegetable farming |
Farming Methods in Use
- Greenhouse and polyhouse farming for early harvests
- Drip irrigation and hydroponics in urban farming zones
- Rotary transplanters used for rice to save labor
- Precision farming apps to monitor weather, pests, and irrigation
Production & Market Snapshot
| Crop |
Yield (avg/ha) |
Market Value (JPY/kg) |
Notes |
| Rice |
6.2 – 6.5 t/ha |
¥230 – ¥280 |
Premium Japonica varieties |
| Strawberries |
12 – 15 t/ha |
¥800 – ¥2000 |
Sold fresh and for desserts |
| Green Tea (leaf) |
500 – 800 kg/ha |
¥1500 – ¥4000 |
First flush most valuable |
| Cabbage |
25 – 35 t/ha |
¥70 – ¥120 |
Supplied to local markets |
What Global Farmers Can Learn from Japan
- Value Over Volume – Focus on quality and branding of produce (e.g., Ichigo strawberries)
- Efficient Land Use – Japan maximizes yield in limited land using vertical and tunnel farming
- Clean and Safe Farming – Strict safety, pesticide, and traceability standards
- Consumer-focused crops – Grow crops that match culinary demand (tea, rice, bamboo shoots)
- Agritech Integration – Use of sensors, weather apps, and automation is high even in small farms
