●Introduction

Owned by Takanobu Nakamura. His farm is located in the Azumino area. Azumino is the central area in Nagano Prefecture.The average temperature is about 12ºC (54ºF).The average rain fall is around 1000 mm (37feet) per year.Azumino is situated at about 600-700m (22,200-25,900 feet).The farm is on a volcanic soil.

Takanobu Nakamura

Takanobu has been farming since 1982. When he started he only operated on a 1.2 hectare (3 acre) farm, but now operates on a 12 hectare (30 acre) farm. He has expanded the size of his farm every year and now owns the largest apple farm in Nagano (Japanese apple farms are usually around 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres).The farm is run with the help of his wife, parents and 7 staff. The farm also includes it’s own nursery to supply trees for replanting.

Apple varieties are many ,included Shinano Sweet, Shinano Gold, Akibae, Gunma Meigetsu and Aikano Kaori (all Japanese). The majority of the apples grown on his farm are Fuji and Tsugaru. Recently he planted, Shinano Sweet, Shinano Gold and Akibae. He also produces Japanese Pears, European Pears, Plums and Berries.
He planted PinkLadyTM in 2006. He had already 690trees .
He is a most pranted PinkLadyTM grower inJapan .