Shinano / NaganoExperience a traditional agricultural lifestyle at Gonbo no Ie farmhouse in Nagano

Staying on a farm is a perfect option for adventurous travelers and outdoor-oriented families. The format goes beyond a simple hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation. While there, you're encouraged to participate in your host family's daily life, whether that be picking vegetables, feeding the chickens, or even tending to honeybees. Think of it as a "destination vacation," in which the accommodation itself is the tourist experience.

Staying on a farm can be incredibly rewarding, though it may not suit all tastes. Travelers looking to simply relax and enjoy their own time may prefer a more luxurious accommodation at a nearby onsen hot spring or ski resort. But those ready to learn, communicate, and have an experience that goes beyond the typical routines of their daily life will have a wonderful time, and return home with fresh insights and outlooks on Japanese culture and customs.

Gonbo no Ie sits in the middle of Shinano's main valley surrounded by rice paddies, and fields of buckwheat and corn. This traditional Japanese farmhouse resembles something out of a fairytale or fantasy novel. Not only does the structure itself feel lifted from a different world, the surrounding vegetable garden, chicken coop, and stacks of firewood add a pastoral charm that harks back to simpler times.

This is the residence of Keizou and Chisato Kurata. After a fruitful life in Tokyo, Keizou retired and started anew in Nagano with his wife. While many retirees settle on more leisurely routes, the Kuratas embraced the region's labor-intensive lifestyle. First, they retrofitted the house, preserving its traditional architectural style, with an earthen genkan entryway, and a historically accurate irori stove inside.

Outside, they began planting carrots, eggplant, and peppers. Adjacent to the fields, Keizou built his own chicken coop, which is now home to some two dozen hens.

Throughout your stay, you'll enjoy a feast of food incorporating all the family's produce. Upon arrival, the hospitable Chisato prepares a tasty snack of yogurt and honey. Guests are encouraged to grab a pair of clippers and begin selecting vegetables from the ripe assortment of eggplants and carrots. You can also gather eggs from the chicken coop.

The fresh honey sparks a conversation about Keizou's whimsical venture into beekeeping. He recalls how a program on television about beekeeping motivated him to try the practice out himself. Around 10 years later, he has a thriving local side-business selling jars of honey to a network of friends, relatives, and loyal customers.

With only an hour or so of daylight left, Keizou rushes off to a nearby plot of land where he keeps his bees - guests are welcome to go along, too. The honey-making insects don't like interacting with people once the sun goes down, he explains. To stop bears from intruding into his farm, Keizou built an electric fence around the perimeter. After turning it off, he steps inside, taking care not to bump any of the hives.

Arriving at one particular hive, Keizou bends over to show off what's inside. Each box comprises multiple wooden frames fixed around a metal screen. While many beekeepers use smoke to stun the bees before handling, Keizou seems to prefer an all-natural approach. As he lifts the screen, the foreboding sound of several hundred buzzing bees erupts.

The bees seem to lose their patience at dusk, just as Keizou had warned. Despite wearing protective clothing, the hostile behavior of the bees makes it difficult to maintain one's composure. Keizou, however, brazenly handles the screen (at one point stoically informing his guests in real-time that he is being stung).

Chisato puts the finishing touches to a plethora of colorful dishes that take advantage of the family's traditional irori stove. A generous amount of charcoal sits at the base of the hearth, covered by a large metal screen that stretches the one meter or so across a stone-and-wood perimeter. Salted fish on skewers cook slowly over the stove, absorbing the savory smoke to create a truly traditional delicacy. With the charcoals raging hot, it's time to start grilling.

Dinner spans a range of foods, including vegetables gathered from the fields just hours earlier (the meal menus change depending on the day). Fully embracing the traditional Japanese sense of hospitality known as omotenashi, Chisato has, on this occasion, prepared beautiful trays of sashimi - even splurging on premium cuts such as chu-toro (medium-fatty tuna).

Over the next two hours or so, the Kuratas treat the group to stories of their past life in Tokyo, the challenges they faced upon moving to Nagano, the joy they derive from their children and grandchildren's visits, and more. This is, of course, accompanied by hefty glassfuls of Japanese sake, which Keizou takes visible delight in sharing. As the charcoal slowly begins to burn away and the sake runs out, so too does everyone's energy. It's time for bed.

Guests sleep on futons in a single, spacious tatami-mat room. The tatami room sits adjacent to a living room with a television and kotatsu - a traditional sunken table heated from underneath. The single room can accommodate anywhere from one to five guests. Down the hall are a bath and modern toilet.

In the morning, Chisato prepares a breakfast to rival the feast from the night before. Today, the meal spans a spread of bacon, eggs, salmon, seasoned eggplants, miso soup with clams, rice, fresh tomato, and black garlic with honey. It's hard to think of a better way to start the day.

Keizou sells jars of his honey. Purchasing directly from the source means you can get a sizable portion for a very low price. It makes a great souvenir prior to your departure.

Despite the short stay, the intimacy of the accommodation and the hands-on activities make the holiday feel much longer. The Kuratas' warm hospitality gives guests a truly unforgettable experience.

Other farm-stay accommodations and experiences are available. Please contact Farmstay Shinano for further details.