Aomori's persimmon paradise

The traditional production of dried persimmons, or myotangaki, is now at its peak in Nanbu Town, Aomori Prefecture. Residents gather to peel astringent persimmons and hang them on strings. After being exposed to cold winds for about 40 days, the persimmons become moist and sweet. The rows of hanging orange fruit are a winter fixture in this town, which produces about 200,000 dried persimmons annually.