Although, it is not well known, Tochigi prefecture is proud of the best output and planted area in Japan. It is strange that Senjogahara Plateau plays an important role for strawberry growing.

Decoration of the Christmas cake comes up everyone's mind when strawberry was imagined. It has a strong impression as an winter fruit. In fact, the best season for strawberry is from December to February. However, flower of strawberry blooms in April and ripens from May to June if it were raised in a regular condition. A technique makes it possible to ship earlier. The technique is related to Senjogahara Plateau.

It is easy to imagine that earlier shipment is caused by earlier seeding. However, there is a big problem, which has to be resolved. That is physiology of a strawberry called a vacation. In the case of growing in the regular condition, strawberry will have a winter break after the seeding in October. Then, flower will bloom in the Spring, when temperature rises. That winter break must be required for the root growing.

Therefore, strawberry is brought to the Senjogahara Plateau because the weather of there is cold even in the Summer. Strawberry will be given quasi-experience as if it passes the Winter. After that, strawberry will be brought to a warmed house in order to make the strawberry to experience the fake Spring.

This process was carried out in 1966 for the first time. 1200 stocks of strawberry seed were brought to the Senjogahara Plateau in mid-August. Then it was brought back in late November. Today, period of quasi-winter is required a month in the case of main breed "Nyohou."

Although, "Strawberry of Tochigi" is a catch copy today, but it was called Nikko Strawberry at the first time. However, farmers are conscious of Zaoh area's Sendai Strawberry, which grows in the same process as the Senjogahara Plateau's strawberry.