Traditional Japan: Farmstay & Cooking in Rural Tokushima

Immerse yourself in the tranquil lifestyle of farmers in the mountains of Tsurugi, a rural area in Tokushima Prefecture (Shikoku). At about 400 meters, the Isogai family will welcome you into Sora no Yado Isogai Farm, their homely self-sufficient farm growing various crops and boasting gorgeous views of the terraced countryside. Here, you will stay overnight, enjoy fresh vegetables from the farm, and learn to make a traditional snack while enjoying a peaceful retreat from urban life. While the charming landscapes are nothing short of exceptional, they are not all there is to the picturesque mountain village of Mikidochi, where the farm is located. Recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) for its traditional farming methods, the area has developed a unique cultivation of crops on steep mountain slopes. During your stay at the farm, you'll get to see firsthand how these traditions are kept. Upon arriving, you will have time to explore the area or rest before enjoying a homemade dinner made with produce from the farm. The following day will kick off with a tasty breakfast and the unique opportunity to make a local treat. Zakkoku mochi (also called zakkoku dango) differ from regular mochi and dango skewered dumplings. They are made by kneading dough and filling it with tasty seasonal ingredients, such as azuki beans, chestnut, sora mame (fava beans), or potato jam, and steaming them over fire. Once you've made your tasty dumplings, you'll enjoy them with a cup of fresh tea with locally grown tea leaves before wrapping up the experience and saying goodbye to your hosts. Experience flow: - Arrive at Sora no Yado Isogai Farm and check in (4:00 pm) - Dinner and free time - Have breakfast - Dango making experience (9:00 am) - Enjoy dango with tea - Check out (11:00 am)