Relax on a lawn and enjoy some good food without having to actually sit outside.

As the weather gets warmer, many people now want to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. But it’s not always that easy. If you are like me and hate the sun or wet grass but still want to be surrounded by greenery and flowers while enjoying some food, having a place indoors is the perfect solution. You won’t have to worry about the temperature or the weather; how great is that?!

Our Japanese-language reporter Ninoude Punico heard that such a place existed in Tokyo’s fashionable Harajuku district so she took the train to Meiji-Jingumae Station and walked two minutes to Fruit Picnic, which from the outside looks just like any other building you would find in Harajuku.

▼ Fruit Picnic from the outside

After taking the stairs down to the basement, Punico was greeted with a café space, with regular café tables and chairs. But beyond that was the picnic area, segmented off by a beautiful arch of flowers where the atmosphere took an immediate turn. In this area, tables were replaced with picnic sheets and cushions, giving her a close-to-real sensation of having a picnic out on a lawn.

▼ The inside looks so different.

▼ Beyond the arch was a whole new world

Once she was comfortably seated in the picnic area, Punico’s eyes fell on a little white cart. She immediately noticed how cute the cart looked but was soon side-tracked when she noticed a very sweet scent. Walking towards the cart, her eyes lit up at the delicious, large red strawberries in the bowl.

▼ The afternoon tea set comes with all-you-can-eat strawberries!

In Japan, fruit can be a luxury so being able to eat all the strawberries you can stomach is like heaven on earth.

▼ Even the drinks are all-you-can-drink!

Punico was even more happy to find that the set comes with an all-you can drink tea or coffee. It’s self-service but that’s even better for the picnic experience.

▼ Teapots and bottles for your drinks

Plastic bottles for cold drinks are available for you to take home as a souvenir. Teapots are also there for hot drinks.

▼ The Afternoon Tea Set

The second highlight was the afternoon tea set. Three layers of cute pastries and fruit sandwiches were a masterpiece of their own. It was almost too beautiful to eat! But of course, Punico dove right in, losing no time before savoring all the different sweets before her eyes, from macaroons to tarts. For a moment she was lost in the world of strawberries.

▼ Pastries and finger food all at once

And who could blame her? Our reporter found that time flew, as she sat on the lawn and took bite after bite of strawberry goodness. The top two tiers of the afternoon tea set were sweets while the last one at the bottom were finger foods, satisfying both sweet and savory cravings.

▼ Punico tries out the swing

▼ Flower arrangements bring the outdoor feel indoors.

It’s hard to imagine a place like this in Harajuku. At just 3,480 yen (around US$31) per person for 90 minutes, it’s definitely a good price for good food and a relaxing atmosphere.

But remember: You must make a reservation before you go if you want to get the afternoon tea set.

▼ Fruit Picnic afternoon tea menu

Fruit Picnic also has a regular cafe menu, which includes strawberry parfaits, ice cream and smoothies. To use the picnic area and ordering from the regular menu, at least one order per person is required and the picnic sheets are free to be used only between 11-12:30 a.m. or 7-9 p.m. All other times are reserved for afternoon tea customers.

So, whether you are afraid of the great outdoors or simply want to enjoy some sweets in a unique atmosphere, you should definitely check out Fruit Picnic while you are in the area. Punico had a great time and she’s sure you will too!

Store Information:

Fruit Picnic Harajuku Omotesando Branch (原宿表参道店)
Address: 〒150-0001 Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Meiji-jingumae 4-32-12 New Wave Harajuku B1F
東京都渋谷区神宮前4-32-12 ニューウェーブ原宿　B1F
Open 11:00 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Website

Photos: © SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]