Children in a nursery school near Tokyo have taken part in harvesting a local apple variety touted as the earliest to ripen in Japan.

The kids joined the harvesting event at their day nursery in Warabi City, Saitama Prefecture, on Monday.

The city is making a pitch for the fruit under the name "Warabi Ringo," or Warabi Apple.

A local farm spent about 20 years developing the variety, which can be picked in June. Ordinary apples are usually ready for harvesting from autumn in Japan.

Teachers gathered the apples and handed them to the children, who felt and smelled them.

The fruit is small at about 7 centimeters. It has a sour taste and is said to be good for making jam and apple pies. The school plans to cook jam for a tasting event.

One 6-year-old girl said she was pleased to get a red apple, adding that the fruit felt smooth.

Another 5-year-old said she wants to try them in an apple pie.