One of the destinations that I tend to include in every free and easy trip would be a stop at a farm. I guess this is part my interest to get back to nature, to be able to pluck and taste fruit that has ripen naturally with the full sweetness of the fruit. This time round, I included a visit to Aritakyohomura Mori Orchards (巨峰村森園, tel: 0737-32-3843, 〒643-0313和歌山県有田郡有田川町川口1054-24) as part of my Wakayama self drive itinerary.

Aritakyohomura Mori Orchards is located in the Arida district or Arida-gun (有田郡) in the Wakayama prefecture.

Arida-gun is probably more well known as a farming area as the 2 main industries there are agriculture and forestry. The farms located deeper inland and away from the Wakayama coast. At the Arida Komine village, there are 20+ farms occupying about 40 hectares of farmland. This area is famous for its mandarin oranges or mikan (有田みかん). Other fruits cultivated here include the grape, peach and pear.

As you drive inland from the Wakayama coast, you will reach the JA Arida Farmers’ Market first, which is a short distance away from the expressway junction. Inside the market, which really is a small building, are various local produce on sale from different farmers.

As you approach Morien, you will see a small hut with some senior ladies manning the hut. They are helping to guide visitors to the various farms in this area. From this point onwards, there are coloured lane markings on the road – blue, yellow and red. You will be able follow the coloured line marking to reach the farm you are heading to. Morien is easy, the nearest from the hut, just a very short distance from this hut.

At the entrance on the right, there is a small counter under a white tent serving as a registration desk. Upon registration and payment, you would be issued a basket and a pair of scissors. Just behind the registration desk is a shed where the farm produce is being sold. On the left is a big resting area, where you can rest and relax.

Immediately on the path behind the registration area, you will find a grape orchard with a sitting area. There are around 10 kinds of grapes grown in Morien.

You will also find mikan, pear and persimmons grown here.

And yes, I also found this little truck with it’s top chopped off. I was wondering if it was an abandoned truck but realized it had been adapted for use in the fruit orchards.

Hope that you will have fun strolling in Morien too!

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