Kinokawa City is a fruit kingdom where fruit ripens year-round. Known for its peaches, persimmons, and strawberries, the city is quietly gaining attention for its passion fruit, a tropical fruit. Ryo Takaoka of Kubo-Labo cultivates passion fruit. He first encountered tropical fruits at Okinawa Prefectural Agricultural University and continued his research on the side after graduating. After moving to Wakayama in 2017 and gaining experience at an agricultural corporation in Kinokawa City, he determined the ideal soil and environment for cultivation and finally began cultivating passion fruit.

"The location rivals Okinawa in terms of soil, climate, water source, and sunlight hours. Furthermore, when it comes to distribution, where time is of the essence from harvest to freshness, there's no better location," says Takaoka. Passion fruit is a tropical vine native to South America. Its hard purple skin is filled with yellow, jelly-like flesh and seeds, and it's characterized by a tropical aroma, rich sweetness, and refreshing acidity. It is in season in the summer, from July to August, when the top is cut off and the inside, seeds and all, is eaten with a spoon. "It is especially recommended for women. It is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, which have antioxidant properties, and is good for skin and anti-aging. It also contains a lot of folic acid, making it an excellent fruit for pregnant women as a nutritional supplement."