MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Many avid travelers recommend avoiding popular tourist attractions in favor of less-known, “homegrown” establishments to better experience a foreign culture.
Several station residents followed that advice when they visited the Hirata Fruits Farm and Miyoshi Winery in Miyoshi City Saturday.
The residents picked grapes, tasted wines and enjoyed a Japanese-style barbecue lunch during the Information Tours and Travel trip.
The trip’s first destination was the Hirata Fruits Farm, which is located in the hilly countryside of Miyoshi City. In the farm’s vineyard the visitors picked bunches of large, seedless Pione grapes, which are sometimes called"black pearls" in Japan.
“I’ve never seen grapes this big or tasted ones this sweet,” said Cpl. Mitchell Hash, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 flight equipment technician and native of Charlottesville, Va. “This is a lot of fun.”
After locating the bunch of their choice, many of the Marines, sailors and family members found a cool, breezy spot below the umbrella of vines where they sat back, relaxed and savored the freshly picked fruit and peaceful atmosphere.
“It’s neat to go on these little back roads and go to these places that hardly anyone knows about,” said Hash, who arrived in Japan just a week prior to the trip. “It’s so secluded and really relaxing.”
After the downtime some service members strolled the farm grounds, where they visited produce stands, perused the souvenir shop or took a look at some of the farm’s other features.
“It was really interesting just to walk around and see all the fruit,” said Navy Cmdr. Sook Chai, 11th Dental Company Detachment dentist and native of Tampa, Fla. “The apple and cherry trees were beautiful.”
Next, the trip-goers headed cross-town to the famous Miyoshi Winery. There, visitors tasted a variety of red and white wines and nonalcoholic grape juices. While some wines brought a grimace to the patrons’ faces, others produced a smile and nod of approval.
“Some of the wine was very flavorful,” said Chai, who purchased a $15 bottle of white zinfandel because of its light and slightly sweet taste. “It’s inexpensive as well.”
After tasting wine, many visitors dined at the winery’s Barbecue Garden restaurant where they fried beef, pork, seafood and vegetables over an open flame.
“The food and service were great,” said Cpl. Daniel Casey, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron station commanding officer’s driver and native of Albuquerque, N.M. “(The meal) was an added benefit to an overall good trip.”
Following chow, some of the visitors picked up a few souvenirs before boarding the bus and heading home. On the ride back, many appeared glad to have experienced another of Japan’s charms.
“It was a good experience just to get off base and enjoy the wine of Japan,” said Casey.
For directions to Miyoshi Winery or the Hirata Fruits Farm, contact Information and Referral at 253-4197.