Farm Stay in Hanno, Saitama: Watching the Gentle Snowfall, Sleeping Warmly by the Fire, and Wearing a Yukata

Hello, when it comes to Japan, everyone can probably picture it already.

Many people have been there, many people have watched reviews until they feel tired.

I am also one of those who have traveled to Japan in the way that most people do.

Of course, I wanted to shop, eat, and take pictures, but this time!!

I think I'll find a place to visit in Japan to change the atmosphere. Let's see...

I've heard that there is a Farm stay in Oita, Japan. I heard that it's booming there. You can live with a real Japanese family and help out on the farm. It might not be a farm in the true sense of the word. It's more like a farmhouse where people grow their own vegetables according to the season and sometimes sell them. It's not a big industry or anything.

"Farm stay is one of the Green tourism types of tourism."

"It is a type of tourism that has the least impact on nature and provides cultural benefits at the same time."

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Due to our limited options for working in the Kanto Kanagawa area, we decided to try a farm stay. Most of the information we found was in Fukuoka or Tohoku, and we couldn't find any near Tokyo. So we contacted the Farm Stay JAPAN page (Farm Stay JAPAN) and told them our limitations and desired dates. They gave us 3-4 options to choose from, but unfortunately, due to the winter season, there weren't many vegetables available. We were a bit disappointed, but then we found a place called WARABI-TEI in Hanno, Saitama Prefecture. This is a ryokan-style accommodation and, more importantly, a miso and udon noodle factory. As a food lover, I was immediately sold. It's close to Tokyo, easy to get to, peaceful, has activities, and is near the mountains. So, we decided to go there.

➀ Getting there (which wasn't difficult at all)

Luckily, we contacted Farm Stay JAPAN through their page (Farm Stay JAPAN). They knew we were Thai and didn't speak Japanese, and that the Japanese people didn't speak English. So, they sent an interpreter, Yamaura San, to help us with our trip and accommodation.

On the first morning, we met Yamaura San at Hatchobori Station, where we had spent the night. We took the train to Ikebukuro and then to Hanno Station. We didn't have much time because there were only two buses to the accommodation! If we missed the 11 o'clock bus, we would have to wait until the afternoon. So, we had to hurry, dragging our luggage that weighed almost 30 kg (we were staying for several days, and the fashion was heavy, and it was cold). We ran and ran and ran.

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On the way from Ikebukuro Station to Hanno.

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Our bags, weighing almost 30 kilograms.

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And this is Yamaura San who traveled with us. Without him, we wouldn't be here today. T__T Thank you so much.

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We have arrived at Hanno Station. The moving platform has just informed us that we need to run.

The incoming train is two minutes late, so we need to leave this station as quickly as possible.

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We just made it onto the bus! The last one to board, the door slammed shut behind us. We almost missed it as a group. The bus ride up the mountain took another hour and a half to reach our destination. We dozed off, our bags swaying and bumping against each other, the rain drumming on the bus until the driver almost kicked us off. ➁ Check-in and eat right away.

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Our accommodation was at Warabi-tei (http://gt.kouryu.or.jp/detail/11209/250.html). Located in Hanno, Saitama Prefecture, near Mount Omochiyama, it was a short walk from the bus stop.

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The house resembles a dormitory, with a spacious dining hall and a fireplace, evoking a distinctly Japanese ambiance.

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This is Shoktsu Oba-chan, the Beagle grandma of the farm. All she does is sleep because the weather is quite cold.

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We are a group of four, three females and one male. The accommodation has arranged separate sleeping arrangements for us. Let me show you the rooms.

The room for the male guest has a bed, while the females will be sleeping in a traditional ryokan style, where they will lay out their own futons. The room has a closet that resembles Doraemon's gadget pocket.

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Amenities include:

1. Bedding set: pillows, thick mattresses, blankets, and mattress pads

2. Yukata set with a belly band

3. Bathing necessities include a face towel, toothbrush, and bath towel.

4. Provide fresh water throughout the night.

5. Slippers, hairdryer, TV, heater

After packing your belongings, come downstairs and prepare to make udon, which will be our lunch. Here, you will make it yourself, including kneading the dough, sprinkling flour, cutting the udon noodles, throwing them into the boiling pot, and eating them. The instructor is the owner of the farm, the kind Nagamura-san.

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This is the udon we made. The thick noodles are made by us. It's not like udon, is it? We will eat hot udon with yuzu peel, sprinkled with dried fish that seems to be moving all the time, green onions, crispy tempura flour, topped with soy sauce, and a little bit of chili pepper. In the end, we each had almost 5 cups.

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We had our meal in the udon-making room, which was a great experience. One pot was used to boil udon, and the other, we were told, was used to boil soybeans for miso. Soon after, we were so full that our eyes were about to close. Then, we were invited to make miso. However, only men were allowed to make miso because bacteria in women's hands could ruin the excellent flavor of miso. So, our male friend had to do it alone. He explained that miso has a fermentation period of 4 years and 10 months, and this period determines its different uses. The 4-year-old miso was the one we were going to eat that night. ➂ Exploring the village in the valley.

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In the late afternoon, we decided to explore the peaceful village after finishing making miso. The air was getting cooler, and there was news that it would snow the next day. The surroundings were quiet, with a view of the valley and a small stream. It seemed like there might be a waterfall nearby. We walked a little further and found a small grocery store run by an elderly woman and her daughter. Inside the store, there were only a few snacks and drinks. In front of the store, there was a small mailbox next to a water dispenser. This area is a town where people do agriculture, woodworking, sawmills, and temples. We walked for a while and felt that there was nothing more to see, and it was getting cold. It was almost 6 pm, and it was time for dinner. Everyone urged us to take a bath, but as usual, we didn't because we were lazy. Haha...

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➃ Bathing

The most fascinating aspect of this location is the traditional bathing experience. The communal bath features three showerheads, small chairs, and water buckets. Next to it is an open-air soaking pool with a glass window offering stunning views of the small town and the frigid air. The sensation of warm water in the pool amidst the 4-degree Celsius temperature is an unforgettable experience that will be etched in my memory forever.

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➄ Special dinner, Nabe hot pot from 4-year-old miso

After exploring the village, we concluded that there wasn't much to see, so we decided to return to our room and relax. We spread out our futons in anticipation of the night and organized our belongings. After dinner, we planned to take a bath.

Soon, it was 6 pm, and we were ready for dinner. The highlight of the evening was the nabe hot pot and its numerous side dishes. Nakamura-san served the dinner, while his wife prepared the food. The ingredients were of high quality: the vegetables, pork, and soup were all excellent. The pickled vegetables and konnyaku, which they boiled themselves (we saw a pot of konnyaku boiling in the courtyard earlier), were also delicious.

The food here is all homemade; they don't buy anything pre-made. They pickle their own vegetables, boil their own konnyaku, make their own miso, and even make their own noodles. The soup is also simmered for a long time. However, I don't think they slaughter their own pigs. The rice comes from the local area. Each of us received a set meal, which also included tempura. Wow!

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The warmth from the fireplace wafted gently, carrying the scent of firewood that Nakamura-san had chopped himself. He kept the fire going, keeping the house warm for most of the night. After everyone had finished eating, Nakamura added rice to the broth, sprinkled a little orange peel, and, as always, some chili pepper.

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After a satisfying meal, we decided to head up to our rooms for some rest, as the chilly air was starting to bite. We split up to take showers, with the men joining the older gentleman in the communal shower, while the women took over the other bathroom. We opened the windows, letting the cold air mix with the warm water as we chatted. We had secretly purchased some beer from a nearby convenience store, so we enjoyed a few sips before calling it a night.

➅ The next morning, the aroma of oranges and the sight of freshly fallen snow greeted us.

This morning we woke up a little early, a little excited because they said that it might snow from 6 am. But when we woke up, it wasn't snowing yet, so we went back to sleep. When we came down to take a shower and pack our bags to say goodbye to our lovely farm inn, this morning Mrs. Nakamura, Mr. Nakamura's wife, had prepared breakfast for us. We sat waiting for the snow with bated breath, but it didn't fall at all.

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Despite being young and full of energy, we asked our mother to prepare lunch for us. Nakamura-san and Yamaura-san were surprised, wondering if we had just eaten and were already hungry again. Our mother packed lunch boxes for everyone, just in case anyone wasn't hungry. However, at lunchtime, we all ended up eating anyway, chewing happily without a care for feeling full. As we sat sipping hot tea to settle our stomachs, light snow began to fall.

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With our bags packed and tearful goodbyes to our lovely family, we were off again. The bus only runs at certain times, and missing it would mean another night's stay, which wasn't ideal. So, we sprinted to the bus stop, the falling snow adding to the excitement as we all snapped photos.

For those interested in the cost, please see below:

Accommodation for 1 night and 4 meals costs approximately 10,500 yen per person.

A truly worthwhile experience: a one-night Farm Stay and my first encounter with snow.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Peach Farm Stay JAPAN for their invaluable assistance.

"Yamaura-san, if it weren't for you, we would be dead." This is a concise statement that conveys a strong sense of gratitude and dependence.

If you are interested in trying a Farm Stay or Green Tourism experience, research the region you want to visit. There are many options available, and the further away you go, the more diverse the natural environment will be. Many websites offer booking services, and the season is also important. Summer, spring, or early autumn are more comfortable, with more fruits and vegetables to harvest and plant, and more activities available. There are also more farms open to visitors during these seasons. Try Green Tourism and experience authentic local culture while minimizing your impact on the environment.

#japan

daisydour

Friday, October 4, 2024 3:17 PM

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