Iwabuchi Orchard

Iwabuchi Orchard is an orchard that has long engaged in apple cultivation in Hirakawa City — spreading in the south of Aomori's Tsugaru Plain. Surrounded by mountains, with large day-night temperature differences, and welcoming deep-snow winters — this land is known as an environment suited for apple making. Within that — by performing the series of work themselves — from soil-making to pruning and harvest — they have pursued apples leveraging the orchard's individuality.

The center of winter work is pruning. Pruning about 1,000 trees every winter while pushing aside snow piling to waist-height — is so deep that the orchard owner says "you become full-fledged only after pruning 1,000 trees." Considering branch angle, thickness, and sunshine — by paying attention to each branch — the next year's harvest quality is decided.

In the background of Iwabuchi Orchard's start as a leaves-left apple specialty orchard — there was the thought "we want to deliver apples pleased not just by appearance coloring, but by flavor." Leaves-left cultivation — which does not pick leaves around fruit — leaves leaf shadows on the skin — and differs from general apples in appearance — but accordingly — sugar and aroma are firmly stored inside.

Such cultivation commitment has born fruit in award history — including the top award at the Leaves-Left Fuji Division of the Aomori Prefecture Apple Competition — and repeated awards at the Leaves-Left Apple Competition. While receiving high evaluation in quality — also many repeater voices arrive at the online shop and customer voice pages: "I order without fail every year" and "other apples become unsatisfying."

Currently — receiving orders nationwide through internet sales and hometown tax — playing the role of connecting Hirakawa City's fields and dining tables nationwide — through Leaves-Left Sun Fuji, multi-variety assortments, and leaves-left apple juice. Going forward — Iwabuchi Orchard will continue to deliver honey-filled apples and the story behind apple making — through cultivation that doesn't pick leaves and the careful handwork of the snowy land.

A leaves-left apple specialty orchard in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture

Hirakawa City — where Iwabuchi Orchard is — is located in the south of the Tsugaru Plain — nature-rich land overlooking Mt. Iwaki to the northwest and the Hakkoda Mountains to the east. In a harsh environment where snow piles to waist-height in winter — pruning about 1,000 apple trees one by one — carefully raising them — in an orchard of about 2.5 hectares. As a leaves-left apple specialty orchard — delivering committed apples nationwide — directly from the production region.

Honey and rich flavor born precisely because leaves are not picked

In general apple cultivation — leaves around fruit are picked to prioritize coloring — but Iwabuchi Orchard is committed to "leaves-left" cultivation that raises while keeping leaves. Fruit that has fully stored nutrients made by leaves — has high sugar content, is juicy — and when a knife enters — juice overflows with a pleasant sound. The mottled coloring left on the skin from leaf shadows is the mark of deliciousness unique to leaves-left apples.

Multi-variety leaves-left apples — Sun Fuji, Haruka, Gunma Meigetsu, etc.

Centered on the signature Leaves-Left Sun Fuji — also raising diverse varieties by leaves-left cultivation: high-sugar "Haruka" — where honey enters near the skin; "Shinano Gold" with good sweetness-acidity balance; "Kogyoku" — sweet-tart and suitable for sweets; fragrant "Orin" and "Gunma Meigetsu"; and early variety "Sun Tsugaru." Leveraging each variety's individuality — enjoyable in various lineups from gift to home and discount.

Also reputed for leaves-left apple juice and hometown tax

Straight juice — squeezed from whole leaves-left apples harvested at the orchard — is also a popular product. Juice sealing rich and aromatic sweetness as-is in a bottle — perfect for gifts and treats for yourself. Also adopted as a Hirakawa City hometown tax return gift — also becoming an entry to tasting Iwabuchi Orchard's leaves-left apples along with the apples themselves.