蒲郡オレンジパーク . 가마고오리 오렌지 파크 . 蒲郡橙子公园
It's the season for melons in Japan!
And I harvested my own musk melon @ Gamagori Orange Park 蒲郡オレンジパーク today.
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| Mom could not tell we've reached, if not for the sign |
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| Surrounding the park were many greenhouses and plantations |
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| Entrance; turn right and the ticket counter is located near the female toilet |
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| Ticket Counter (check out a real owl in the wooden box) |
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| Make sure to retain the sampling ticket 試食券 after you enter the greenhouse. 50円 discount tickets are good for the ice-cream and orange juice. |
We took the 'micro-bus マイクロバス' (minivan) that took us to the greenhouse for melons, that was about 5-min away from the park. It was very warm inside the greenhouse, so we only stayed inside for 5 mins. Uncle and I chose the melon, and I cut off its stem!
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| To board the bus, turn left after exiting from the slope / main entrance of the park |
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| Pick up a pair of scissors once you enter |
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| Doing the honours |
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| Into the box my melon goes ... to be consumed within 1 week |
Back at the park, Mom and I walked around on our own, and we spotted the greenhouse for grapes.
Then it was time to try the melon.
The melon was very sweet and juicy, and I ate more melon than I would usually eat at home.
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| Exit from the right exit of the gift shop, and follow this sign |
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| Make a right turn and go along a narrow pathway to the greenhouse |
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| The air-conditioned greenhouse where the sampling is held |
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| Visitors with the unlimited sampling メロン食べ放題 ticket sit near the trays, whilst the others sit near the entrance |
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| Unlimited sampling メロン食べ放題 - free flow of the different kinds of melons |
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| Our ticket is for the 2-piece sampling (a quarter of a melon) メロン試食(2/8切) Don't forget to return the plate to the tray and discard the husks when done! |
The last stop was the gift shop where Mom bought the park's melon cakes, and for me, the melon ice-cream.
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| Melon cakes are on the left |
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| 630円 for the small box |
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| 840円 per box |
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| 525円 per packet of dried grapes |
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| 2600円 for each melon |
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| Melon softee - 300円 after discount |
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| Available in other flavours too |
Notes from Mom
- Mainly caters to tour groups; so for FIT / walk-ins, reservations are a must, especially if you wish to pick your own melon. Unfortunately, reservations can only be made via phone
- Travelling by taxi, bike or car are the only ways to reach the park. When leaving the park, the staff can help to call for a taxi
- When visiting with young children, it is ok to just purchase one ticket and share the melon-tasting with your child; it's quite impossible for young children to finish 2 large slices of the melon on their own (unless you intend for it to be a substitute for lunch!)
- Remember to check with your country's customs regarding the import of fresh fruits from Japan, since you get to bring the melon home
- The staff is only conversant in Japanese, I think
- Fees vary according to the date of visit
- The other fruit seasons of strawberry (Jan-May), grape (late Jun-mid Sep) and orange / mikan (Oct-Dec) are worth checking out too
Address: 〒443-0002 愛知県蒲郡市 清田町小栗見1-6-93
Tel: 0533-68-2321
Directions: 15-min taxi ride from Gamagori Station 蒲郡駅 (about 2000円 one-way);
no bus services
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm
Admission Fees (Melon Season - Jun-Sep):
* One ticket = 1 melon to be brought home
