Ishigaki Island enjoys a warm climate throughout the year and is known as one of Japan's leading producers of pineapples and mangoes. The island is dotted with direct sales outlets for pineapples and mangoes, many of which are easily accessible by rental car, making it a popular tourist destination. During the peak season, fresh pineapples and mangoes fill the shops, allowing visitors to fully enjoy their juiciness, rich sweetness, and fragrant aroma. Furthermore, since the sweetness, acidity, and aroma vary depending on the variety, comparing different types and finding your favorite is one of the joys of visiting the direct sales outlets. When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to savor the delicious taste of these tropical pineapples and mangoes.

Pineapple and mango seasons and varieties in Ishigaki Island

The pineapple season runs from April to August. In early spring, varieties like "Peach Pineapple," known for its sweet, peach-like aroma, and "Snack Pineapple," which can be easily torn apart and eaten by hand, become available. From early summer through the summer, traditional varieties like the "Hawaiian Pineapple (Island Pineapple)," with its good balance of sweetness and acidity, and the popular "Gold Barrel" variety, known for its high sugar content, are harvested, allowing you to enjoy the unique flavors of each variety.

On the other hand, the "Apple Mango," a representative variety of Ishigaki Island, and the premium "Keitt Mango" are in season from June to August. They are harvested only after they are fully ripe, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth flesh, rich sweetness, and fragrant aroma.

Recommended pineapple and mango direct sales shops

Aoumi Direct Sales Store

Located near the popular tourist spot "Ippon Mangrove" in Ishigaki Island, "Aoumi Direct Sales Store" is one of the newest direct sales stores on the island, having opened in 2025. Depending on the season, they sell up to five varieties of pineapples and apple mangoes, allowing you to enjoy the fresh taste of fruit picked that morning from the farm.

These pineapples have a good balance of sweetness and acidity, and you can enjoy comparing the tastes of different varieties. They also sell Sandolce, a variety developed over many years in Okinawa Prefecture and considered a "premium pineapple." Apple mangoes are appealing for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich sweetness.

The shop is bright and clean, and air-conditioned, making it a comfortable place to relax even during a hot day of sightseeing in Ishigaki Island. The owner is polite and friendly, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. At this direct sales store, you can sample all varieties of pineapples and mangoes before purchasing, and the pineapples and mangoes you buy will be cut on the spot so you can enjoy them right away. Pineapple juice (500 yen) and mango smoothies (800 yen) are also popular menu items, which you can enjoy while gazing at the ocean in front of you. Located on the way to Kabira Bay, one of Ishigaki Island's most scenic spots, why not stop by during your sightseeing or drive?

Ishigaki Island Tourist Pineapple and Mango Orchard

At the Ishigaki Island Tourist Pineapple & Mango Farm, located about a 5-minute drive from the Aoumi Direct Sales Store, 89-year-old Mr. Ishigaki will greet you with a smile and let you sample various varieties of pineapple that are in season at the time. The direct sales store sells five varieties: peach pineapple, snack pineapple, melon pineapple, golden pineapple, and gold rush. The varieties available change depending on the harvest season, so you can enjoy a different taste each time you visit.

One of the features of this direct sales store is that you can find rare varieties that you won't find in regular markets. These pineapples are small and easy to carry, making them perfect as souvenirs. In addition to pineapples, they also have apple mangoes, and if you're lucky, you might even find island bananas. The owner, Mr. Ishigaki, is a veteran pineapple farmer who has been involved in pineapple cultivation for over 50 years. He and his family of three continue to grow delicious pineapples on their vast 3-tsubo (approximately 6 square meters) farm. There's also an anecdote that Yoko Gushiken, a former professional boxer from Ishigaki Island, worked part-time at this pineapple farm when he was a student. This direct sales store is a great place to enjoy seasonal fruits while also having a pleasant conversation with the energetic Mr. Ishigaki.

Higashi Pine Farm

Located in the central part of Ishigaki Island, Higashi Pine Farm offers a variety of pineapples throughout the seasons, primarily focusing on the unique Juwari Pine (Island Pineapple) of Ishigaki Island. In June, the sweet-smelling Peach Pineapple and the snack pineapple, which can be torn apart and eaten by hand, come into season. From June to July, the richly sweet Sandolce pineapple is also available. And from late July to August, Higashi Pine Farm's prized Juwari Pineapple reaches its peak season.

During the hours when the farm owner is working on the farm, you can purchase freshly harvested pineapples directly from the farm, or you can buy them at "Tropical Island East" (opens at 13:30), located on the way to the north entrance of Banna Park. The farm also offers tastings and nationwide shipping. In addition, they sell tropical fruits such as seasonal mangoes and island bananas, allowing you to fully enjoy the bounty of Ishigaki Island's rich natural environment.

Kawadaira Maetake Farm

Kawahira Maetake Farm is a popular direct sales store that sells fresh pineapples, as well as pineapple and mango smoothies. Because they freeze large quantities of pineapples and mangoes harvested in the summer while they're still fresh, you can enjoy the delicious taste of tropical fruits all year round. It's a popular spot for tourists visiting Ishigaki Island in the winter. During pineapple season, up to eight varieties are available, and from July to August, they also sell the rare "Pearl Pineapple," known for its exceptional sweetness. You can sample the fruit and even enjoy cut pineapple on the spot.

Pineapples get sweeter the closer they are to the bottom, so be sure to enjoy the gradient of sweetness with a slice of pineapple. They also offer pineapple harvesting experiences by reservation, and according to the staff, "Freshly picked pineapples are bursting with juice and exceptionally delicious." They also ship nationwide, and their commitment to freshness, such as shipping only pineapples picked that morning, is another unique charm of Kawahira Maetake Farm.

3. Advice for visiting direct sales outlets

In Ishigaki Island during the summer, we recommend visiting direct sales stores to enjoy fresh, in-season pineapples and mangoes. Another appeal of visiting these stores is that you can often buy them cheaper than at supermarkets or souvenir shops. Since they close once they sell out, it's best to visit right when they open or early if you want to be sure to get some. When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to check out the direct sales stores and find your favorite pineapples and mangoes.