It’s no secret that Singaporeans are enamoured with everything Japan has to offer. However, if you’ve checked off the snowy peaks of Mount Fuji or azure-blue Okinawan waters, plan an offbeat trip with these countryside experiences and farmstays in Japan instead.
They’ve got all the hallmarks of the quintessential vacation away from the concrete jungle; picturesque landscapes, charming encounters with flora and fauna, and most importantly, a mellow switch of pace.
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Although Japan is known for its cities that never sleep and tranquil temples, the country’s rural attractions are not nearly as well-known. Perhaps that’s for the better, as travellers who’ve decided to make the trip into Japan’s countryside will be privy to its natural beauty that’s mostly untouched by humans.
There are quite a number of options for countryside-bound travellers which take the form of humble farmstays. Farmstays in Japan are rural accommodation that’ll play host to guests looking to immerse themselves in nature-related activities, such as farming, interacting with animals, hiking, and sightseeing.
Despite being located a little off the beaten path, it isn’t too difficult to locate and visit these farmstays; most of them are just around an hour’s drive from major cities like Saitama and Kumamoto.
If you’re wondering what’s the ideal amount of time to set aside for farmstays in Japan, it’s helpful to know that the owners of most farmstays in Japan usually live on the property, thus limiting these experiences to short stays. That said, nothing is stopping you from going on multiple farmstays, especially since Singapore-Japan visa-free travel lasts for a whopping 90 days.
Resorts and glamping experiences, on the other hand, do offer longer stays. For example, some of the accommodations mentioned in this article such as O Park OGOSE Bio-Resort Hotel & Spa offers 3D2N stays, while BUB Resort Chosei Village has reservations for up to a week.
Orhor, someone hasn’t been reading our articles.
JK, but yes, the ultimate Japan transport guide’s a must-read for those heading off to hotspots like Tokyo and Hokkaido. TL;DR: it depends on what you’re aiming for. Those wanting to scoot between the islands in the fastest possible way can book cheap domestic flights with the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, while those who want to take in the scenery can hop aboard a scenic train ride.
Ferries are also a pretty chill way of travelling between the islands, given the myriad of things to do aboard during the long voyages, while the automobile’s flexibility to go literally wherever the road leads is simply unparalleled. Given the remote location of some of these countryside experiences, renting a car might be the best way to get there.
Popular car rental companies include Miki Car Rental, which has rides available from S$59.31/day. Another option to consider is AQ Relax-Rentacar, whose rates start from S$147.16/day, but offer 7-8 seater vehicles to accommodate larger groups.
| Farmstay | Closest city & airport | Price | What it has to offer |
| The Bamboo Forest | Ichihara – Haneda Airport | from ¥26,500/pax, ~S$234.45 | Stunning bamboo forest, interact with animals at nearby zoo, feed giraffes during breakfast |
| Nasu Kogen Rindo Lake Family Ranch | Nikko – Fukushima | from ¥18,700/night, ~S$165.33 | Amusement park, petting zoo with farm animals and alpacas |
| O Park OGOSE Bio-Resort Hotel & Spa | Saitama – Haneda Airport | from ¥12,400/night, ~S$109.70 | Cute glamping tents, kid-friendly activities like harvesting veggies |
| Nakamura Ranch | Kumamoto – Kumamoto Airport | from ¥12,400/night, ~S$109.70 | Milk cows, go horseback riding, planting seeds |
| Zaigomon | Murakami – Niigata Airport | from ¥4,000/pax, ~$35.39 | Harvesting rice, make Soba noodles, snow trekking |
| Kuri No Ki | Akita – Akita Airport | from ¥11,700/pax, ~S$$103.51 | Harvest chestnuts, feast on chestnut-related goodies, admire pretty flowers |
| Yufu Kodomo Noen | Yufu – Oita Airport | ¥10,000/pax, ~S$88.41 | Harvesting veggies at an organic farm, eating Nagashi Somen, indoor kids room |
| Auberge Fujii Fermier | Fukui – Fukui Airport | ¥6,600/pax ~S$58.34 | Pet sheep and lambs, dig for bamboo shoots, make cloth sandals, go fishing & snorkelling |
| Shunran-no-Sato | Wajima – Noto Airport | from ¥11,000/pax, ~S$97.25 | Century-old guest houses, gathering wild mushrooms, stargazing |
| BUB Resort Chosei Village | Chiba – Haneda Airport | from ¥30,800/pax, ~S$272.30 | Ninja training for kids, host campfires, laser tag, culinary lessons by sushi master |
Special giraffe feed will be provided for you to offer to your long-necked guests.
If you’re looking for a tranquil location far from the bustle of your hectic Singaporean lifestyle, look no further than The Bamboo Forest. Located about an hour’s drive from Tokyo, accommodation here draws visitors into its zen-like surroundings with soaring bamboo shoots and crisp fresh air.
The Kirin-An Treehouse (from ¥28,700/pax, ~S342.38) is great if you’d like a homely stay amongst the trees, or go for their Dome or Lotus Belle tents (from ¥26,500/pax, ~S$234.45) if glamping’s more your thing. Each stay also comes with tickets to the nearby Sayuri World petting zoo, where you can chill with capybaras, kangaroos, and rabbits.
Many have chosen this peaceful haven as the backdrop for their wedding photoshoots.
Image credit: @the_bambooforest via Instagram
Speaking of which, The Bamboo Forest is located opposite the ANIMAL WONDER REZOURT zoo, where you can opt for various wildlife-inspired activities to complement your stay. The Breakfast with Giraffes (¥2,500, ~S$22.12) experience perks your morning up, with curious giraffes popping their heads up as you feed them breakfast while you munch on yours.
Should adrenaline junkies find traditional farmstays in Japan to be a tad too mellow for their liking, then they’ll love Nasu Kogen Rindo Lake Family Ranch. Although you won’t get to hole up with a hospitable host family, it’s essentially a mini-amusement park tucked away in the outskirts of Tochigi prefecture on Rindo Lake, which is an hour’s drive from Nikko.
Image credit: 那須高原りんどう湖ファミリー牧場
For starters, you can whiz across the Lake on the 220m-long Zipline KAKKU (¥1,500/pax, ~S$13.25), one of the longest ziplines in all of Japan. Challenge your friends to a round of mini-golf (¥900/pax, ~S$7.96) or bring the lil’un to the Little Builder Construction Site (¥800/pax, ~S$7.07) where they’ll get to mess around with kid-friendly cranes and conveyor belts.
Image credit: @_yukatama5 via Instagram
Don’t forget to pay the “ranch” part of the amusement park a visit. They’ve got a slew of farm animals that you can interact with; you get to pet and feed calves (¥300/pax, ~S$2.65), as well as go horseback riding (¥1,000/pax, ~S$8.84) on their docile steeds. The fan-favourite alpaca is also available here; for ¥1,500 (~S$13.26), you can take them for a 15-minute walk.
Image credit: 那須高原りんどう湖ファミリー牧場
Accommodation-wise, you can opt for their chalet-like Resort Houses (from ¥33,000/night, ~S$291.75) but we recommend going for their glamping tents (from ¥18,700/night, ~S$165.33) instead. They’ve got transparent bubble tents, giving you great views whether it’s night or day.
For the ultimate glamping experience, we’ve got to give O Park OGOSE a shout. This bio-resort that’s across Kawagoe city is chock full of hands-on experiences you can fill out your visit with, but you’ll want to check into their stylish tents first.
Image credit: @o_parkogose via Instagram, O Park OGOSE
They’ve got cutesy Dome Cabins (from ¥12,400/night, ~S$109.70) modelled after the mascots of the neighbouring towns. If you want to wake up to stunning views, opt for their Aerial Glamping Domes (from ¥12,400/night, ~S$109.70), which suspend visitors above the forest floor throughout their stay.
Their calling card is undoubtedly their wide range of activities you can bundle with your stay. Take a gander at O Park OGOSE’s full list of activities, they’ve got family-friendly pastimes like toasting up s’mores (¥2,200, ~S$19.46) and harvesting seasonal veggies (¥550, ~S$4.87); they’ll even cook up the fruits of your labour for you to savour during dinner.
Image credit: Stay Japan
It doesn’t get any more country than this; you’ll get to live out an idyllic countryside lifestyle by essentially roleplaying humble farmhands on Nakamura Ranch (from ¥12,400/night, ~S$109.70). The owner of the ranch has been noted to be very accommodating and sweet; he’ll serve as your guide and will drop you off at various stops to explore Kumamoto’s green pastures and the vicinity.
Image credit: Stay Japan
The farm is home to over 100 cows, and guests will get the opportunity to feed and even milk them. In particular, look out for the adorable calves who seem perpetually hungry. You also get to saddle up and partake in horseback riding, as they take you on a tour around the fields.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic farmstay if you don’t get to work the land. Depending on when you visit, you can try your hand at planting seeds or harvesting crops like sweet potatoes and aubergines. For your efforts, the owner and his family will whip up sumptuous home-cooked meals featuring dishes like delectable skewers from local produce.
Book a stay at Nakamura Ranch.
If you’re a carb lover who just has to pair every meal with rice, give Zaigomon (from ¥4,000/pax, ~$35.39) a shot. Located amongst the verdant valleys of Murakami city, this cosy farmstay will have you inculcating a newfound appreciation for the ubiquitous grain we eat daily.
You can even operate one of the harvesting machines yourself under the guidance of the farmers.
Image credit: Voyapon
After waking up in the wee hours of the morning, you’ll get to harvest rice traditionally, with only a small handheld sickle to aid you. Once you’re all knackered out, the seasoned farmers onsite will demonstrate how things are done in this day and age; with harvesting machines. They’ll also show you how the grain is further processed and polished in their milling warehouses.
Even the guest bathroom is mostly made out of wood, giving the place a rustic, cabin-like atmosphere.
Image credit: Stay Japan
When you’re visiting during the colder months when rice harvesting is not possible, the farm offers other activities like making your own Soba noodles and trekking in the snow-enveloped woods.
Book a stay at Zaigomon.
You’ll get to stay in a room fitted with tatami mats and sliding doors with paper panels which just echo Japanese vibes.
Image credit: Stay Japan
The smell of roasted chestnuts is heavenly; those who’ve had the chance to catch a waft from those traditional push carts selling bags of the good stuff in Singapore can attest to that. With Kuri No Ki (from ¥11,700/pax, ~S$$103.51), you can once again relish in this old-school snack, as it’s a rural homestay in Akita that’s situated right beside the Sasaki Chestnut Orchard.
Of course, your meals for this homestay are peppered with chestnut-infused dishes like roasted chestnuts and chestnuts stewed in sweetened water.
Image credit: Stay Japan
The orchard contains the country’s largest colony of Saimyoji chestnuts, the biggest variety in Japan. Plan a visit during early to mid-October, as that’s when they are ripe for the picking. Chestnut picking is available for ¥2,000 (~S$17.68) – and if that’s not enough, go for round 2 by harvesting wild vegetables (¥2,000 (~S$17.68) in the neighbouring mountains.
Spring’s also not a bad time to swing by Kuri No Ki, as you get to frolic among fields of flowers in full bloom. There’s a huge cluster of violet dogtooth flowers to admire, while the sunflower fields are set up with props like a quaint pink door for the perfect outdoor photoshoot.
Book a stay at Kuri No Ki.
Image credit: Stay Japan
Travellers with kids going should bookmark Yufu Kodomo Noen (¥10,000/pax, ~S$88.41), as it’s probably the most family-friendly option on this list. Also known as Yufu Child Farm, it’s a farmstay experience curated with kids in mind – the farm is completely organic, which means the fields are 100% safe for them to muck about in.
After a 5-min journey by car from Yufu, Kyushu, some of the activities kids can get their hands dirty with include harvesting veggies such as Japanese radish, making bamboo cups, and using a grain machine to refine wheat. There’s even a kid’s room filled with toys, for when the weather’s not ideal for outdoorsy stuff.
If you’re curious, take a look at the Yufu Child Farm Instagram page. The owner of the farm documents her guests’ time during their stay; it’s just too wholesome when you see her kid buddying up with the guests’ children to participate in activities from scooping Nagashi Somen out of bamboo shoots to unearthing spring onions at the fields.
Image credit: Auberge Fujii Fermier
Auberge Fujii Fermier’s foreign-sounding name might seem weird, but it borrows inspiration from the French word for farmhouse inn, “auberge de paysanne”. That’s because this farmhouse in Fukui pays homage to the idea of green tourism, an eco-friendly concept conceived by the French. But enough of its background, there’s plenty to do around here that conveys the establishment’s love for the outdoors.
Image credit: Auberge Fujii Fermier
Stays here start at ¥6,600/pax (~S$58.34), but you won’t want to stay cooped up in your rooms for too long. This place is great if you can’t decide between taking in the fresh mountain air or enjoying the ocean breeze – you can do both right here as the waves are just 5km away.
Pet sheep and their lambs while they graze on their greens, or head into the forest to dig up bamboo shoots. Beach lovers can do some snorkelling, or try their luck catching dinner at the fishing port. Seniors will also enjoy leisurely activities like making dry persimmons and putting together their very own pair of cloth sandals.
Image credit: Ryunosuke Nakamura via Wikimedia
History buffs will appreciate a stay at Shunran-no-Sato (from ¥11,000/pax, ~S$97.25), as this group of buildings near Wajima city are said to be some of the first farmhouse inns in Japan.
A host cooking skewered fish in the inn’s Irori.
Image credit: Shunran-no-sato
Each archaic inn gives guests a glimpse into what the rural lifestyle looked like over a century ago, as they come complete with interesting features like a sunken fireplace called an Irori, and a Goemon bath, a bathtub heated by fire from below.
Although the inns are wonderfully rustic, you’ll want to step out and give some of the hands-on activities (from ¥5,500, ~S$48.63) offered at Shunran-no-Sato a shot. These include planting rice at the paddy fields, gathering wild mushrooms, or river fishing.
Image credit: @noto_airport via Instagram
Set aside a night to go stargazing at the nearby Noto City Observatory too; there’s little light pollution here so you’ll be able to admire the cosmos in its full splendour.
If you’re planning to make multiple trips within a year to Japan, then BUB RESORT CHOSEI should be on each of your itineraries. This little “village” in Chiba hosts an arsenal of family-friendly activities, and they make repeat visits worth it as they change up their scheduled programmes based on the seasons.
Image credit: BUB RESORT長生
They’re running their spring programme, which sees kids training to become beginner ninjas by learning how to throw ninja stars and scale obstacle courses. If they’ve still got gas left in the tank, they can also look forward to games of laser tag and tackle a haunted house at night.
There’s nothing like roasting marshmallows to close out your evening.
Image credit: @bubresort_chosei via Instagram
Fret not, the adults are not forgotten. They can indulge in morning sessions of pilates, get crafty by making utensils with bamboo, and level up their culinary skills by learning from a sushi master.
You’ll need a roof over your heads when you’re all knackered from your action-packed day in BUB Resort Chosei Village. Thankfully, they’ve got a couple to choose from. We suggest booking their Dome Tent (from ¥30,800/pax, ~S$272.30), which comes with a 3-hour all-you-can-drink alcohol buffet, plus free entry to all the aforementioned activities.
We completely understand the hype that Japan has garnered over the years; after all, it’s a beautiful country that has captivated the hearts of many Singaporeans who’ve made one too many trips there.
If you want an alternative to your usual itinerary of visiting metropolitan cities like Tokyo and Osaka, consider taking the road less travelled this time. Form core memories with these Japanese countryside experiences – sometimes the grass is greener on the other side, literally and figuratively.
Looking for more things to do in Japan? Consider hitting up the best observation decks in Tokyo for stunning aerial views of the bustling city, or do some urban exploration on your own with the most abandoned places in Tokyo you can explore for free. Otherwise, these things to do in Japan’s underrated tropical gem, Okinawa, are perfect for a sunny getaway.
Cover image adapted from: @the_bambooforest via Instagram
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