Yamagata Prefecture
Experience the rural farm life of Japan through a farm homestay experience in Yamagata.
You can stay in a charming farmhouse and join the farmers for an early morning harvest and learn how to cook a variety of traditional dishes together. These experiences take place on the outskirts of Tsuruoka City at a farmer’s homestay called Naa in collaboration with various farmers from this region.
There are various types of crops that can be harvested together with the farmers such as Dadachamame soybeans in mid-August and even winter turnips in January and February.
Experience a Farm Homestay
What's Included
Harvesting in the fields with the farmers and a local guide.
Cooking class with a local farmer.
Overnight Lodging with dinner and breakfast included.
All necessary equipment is provided.
Cost
Subject to availability.
Experience Availability
All-year round (crops vary; see below)
- Dadachamame Soybeans (Mid August)
- Winter Turnips (January and February)
- Winter Carrots (December to March)
- Rice Harvesting (Later September to Early October)
Average Duration
2 days, 1 night
Meeting Location
Tsuruoka Area
Minimum number of participants
2 people
Important notes
We ask that guests make their bookings at least 2 weeks in advance.
Experience availability may vary. Reserve to confirm availability.
Virtual Tours: We are also able to conduct virtual tours of this experience, where you can speak with the farmers and interact via live or preprepared video. This is available for both individuals and organizations; write “virtual tour” in the “Additional Requests” section if desired.
Experience a farm homestay
You will start your experience by checking into a farmer’s homestay called Naa in the evening, where you will meet the Onodera Family, who will show you around their home and into your rooms. Their home is a large traditional farmhouse, originaly built over 100 years ago in the middle of vast rice fields.
From here, you will have some free time to explore the village around the home before enjoying a beautifully arranged dinner featuring the traditional farmer’s cuisine of Tsuruoka City.
These courses are personally designed by Norimasa Onodera and vary throughout the year as they utilize fresh ingredients from the Shonai Region.
After dinner, you are advised to get some sleep as you will be waking up very early the next morning.
The next morning a local guide will accompany you with the farmers as you see how the farmers here harvest their crops and join them to harvest some of your own by hand.
Depending on the type of crop, this will also include a trip to their local factory, where you can see how the farmers of Tsuruoka process their crops before they are shipped-off for luxury stores and high-end restaurants across Japan.
You will then take your crops back to Naa, where you will learn how to cook some of Norimasa’s delicious dishes and enjoy a delicious meal together.
Inquire about your Farm Homestay today!
You can send a booking inquiry for your experience below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm the booking with our partners and send you a booking confirmation email at least 3 days before your desired date.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of an experience or reserves an experience straightaway.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of an experience or reserves an experience straightaway.
Cancelation policy
Our general cancelation policy for our experiences is below. Cancelation fees may vary according to exceptional circumstances.
3 business days before date of experience
Free
2 business days before date of experience
30% of total price
1 business day before date of experience
50% of total price
Same day
100% of total price
