Tourism Tochigi farm sojourns popular with foreign tourists

[thomas]

That's something I wouldn't mind trying out myself.

Foreign tourists staying as guests on farms in Tochigi Prefecture are increasing: farm stays, which offer travellers sightseeing and farming experiences in rural areas, are becoming popular among foreign tourists visiting Japan. To support this trend, the prefectural government started helping local communities develop necessary facilities this fiscal year to attract more tourists. In early May, a father and son from the United States stayed for four days at Wain, a farmhouse-style hotel in the Udagawa district of Ohtawara. They visited Nikko, enjoyed vegetables grown in the hotel's fields, and rode bicycles to take in the rural scenery. Mayumi Sasaki and her Indian husband run the hotel. They renovated an old warehouse and barn into a hotel, fulfilling their dream of running an inn. Following advice from Ohtawara Tourism, they transformed the buildings into guesthouse-like accommodations for foreign guests.

Photo credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun​

About 150 foreign guests stayed at the hotel for six months. "Foreigners prefer to stay in the countryside in a relaxed way. We want to prepare programs for them to enjoy making umeshu (Japanese plum wine), miso and other experiences in the future," Sasaki said. Ohtawara Tourism works with about 180 farmers, mainly in the city, and tries to attract foreign tourists, as well as elementary and junior high school students, and group tourists to rural villages by offering them farm stays and experiences, among other activities. The development of farmhouse-style hotels is part of its activities. Ohtawara Tourism and local farmers have worked together to develop such hotels, and there are currently six such facilities. In the past fiscal year, 7,865 people participated in farm-stay programs in which the organization was involved, a record high since it began operations in 2012. Of those, 1,234 were foreigners. While Sasaki and her husband speak English, other facilities whose staff are not fluent in foreign languages are said to be able to accommodate foreign guests with the help of translation apps. Programs that offer authentic farming experiences and interactions with local farmers in a rich natural environment are popular, according to Ohtawara Tourism. Daisuke Fujii, the organization's president, said, "Foreigners are willing to visit rural villages, even if they are less accessible, as long as they promote their attractions." The Ohtawara city government is promoting tourism with a focus on agriculture.

Farm Stays Increasingly Popular with Foreign Tourists; Interactions with Local Farmers in Rich Natural Environment Proves a Hit

<p>UTSUNOMIYA — The number of guests staying on farms in Tochigi Prefecture is on the rise. Farm stays, which allow travelers to enjoy sightseeing and farming experiences in rural areas, are gaining popularity among foreign tourists visiting Japan. Under such circumstances, the prefectural...

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[Majestic]

I think this is a great initiative. Bravo to both the people running these, and to the prefecture for supporting them. I think a lot of tourists are looking for more meaningful experiences, and Tochigi is particularly suited to this because its a beautiful place, has some historical sites, and it is still a relatively easy travel distance from Tokyo.