Ripe For The Picking

The Yomiuri ShimbunApple trees are bearing lots of fruit at the Kafuka Ringoen orchard in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, which just opened for apple picking. It is harvest season for Tsugaru, a popular variety of apple. "The weather has been favorable this year, so the taste of the apples is splendid," said Sadanori Shimoyama, 83, who runs the orchard. Picking of Tsugaru apples continues at the orchard until around Sept. 10. Speech