Yazu Town, Hattō Area – 3-Day / 2-Night Premium Rural Tourism Tour
Tour Overview
The Hattō area of Yazu Town, Tottori Prefecture, is a haven for slow travel, surrounded by vibrant orchards filled with the region’s renowned persimmons and perfectly ripened fruit, alongside expansive golden rice fields.
This all-inclusive, 3-day / 2-night slow journey is designed for sustainability- and nature-conscious European travellers as well as premium travellers from Taiwan. Guests will experience Yazu’s abundant natural environment, traditional culture, and innovative sustainable agriculture, including biochemical farming practices.
Rather than simply sightseeing, this journey offers an opportunity to experience authentic rural Japanese life through meaningful interaction with local farmers and “farmer-guides”—local people who combine farming with guiding—and to discover the community’s efforts toward Nature Positive regeneration.
A Slow Journey Through Persimmon and Fruit Orchards Glowing in Autumn Orange, Traditional Farm Experiences, the Japan Heritage Ota Residence, Waterfalls of the Moroga Valley, and Stargazing on the Hirono Highlands
ABOUT
ROUTE AT A GLANCE
Tour Type
3-day / 2-night all-inclusive tour
Price
JPY 58,000–68,000 per person (tax included)
Season
Autumn (September–November)
Accommodation
El Bosque Guesthouse – private accommodation for small groups / Green Tourism Yamada Moa – private traditional Japanese house
Included
2 nights and 6 meals including paired beverages; dedicated farmer-guide throughout the tour; all activities and experiences, including Sites Coexisting with Nature, farming experiences and waterfall hikes; Wakasa Railway unlimited-ride pass; domestic travel accident insurance
Meeting / End Point
JR Kōge Station (Platto Pia Yazu)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
1. A Sustainable Journey Through Two Ministry of the Environment–Recognised “Sites Coexisting with Nature”
Visit two locally treasured conservation areas: Hattō Furusato Forest and Funaoka Natural Farm. At Funaoka Natural Farm, guests select fresh, locally grown vegetables themselves, which are later transformed into exceptional ingredients for lunch and dinner on Day 2.
2. The Science of Biochemical Farming: Turning Abandoned Bamboo Groves into a Resource
Discover a Nature Positive approach to circular agriculture that transforms bamboo from unmanaged local groves into powder and reuses it as fertiliser. Visit persimmon orchards as well as biochemical apple or pear orchards depending on the season, and uncover the farming techniques behind the fruit’s remarkable sweetness and flavour.
3. Traditional Japanese Farming: Rice Harvesting & Sun-Drying OR Threshing, Milling & Kamado-Style Rice Ball Making
Depending on the season, take part in traditional rice harvesting and hasa-gake, where harvested rice is hung outdoors to dry naturally in the sun. Alternatively, experience threshing and milling before cooking freshly prepared rice over a wood fire in a traditional hagama iron pot and making your own onigiri. It is a hands-on introduction to slow food and the gifts of the land.
4. Ōshika Falls in Moroga Valley & “CATCH the STAR” Stargazing on the Hirono Highlands
Hike through the mystical Moroga Valley, following pristine streams and waterfalls including the spectacular Ōshika Falls. In the evening, travel to the Hirono Highlands, far from urban light pollution, and relax beneath an extraordinary 360-degree panorama of stars.
5. Charcoal BBQ with Local Ingredients & an All-Inclusive Experience
Enjoy a garden charcoal BBQ—or an indoor hot-grill dinner in case of rain—paired with local sake, freshly baked local bread for breakfast, dinner at Hattō Furusato Forest, and other slow-food experiences rooted in the region.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
[Kōge Station] ── Wakasa Railway ──► [Ota Residence] ──► [Accommodation / Check-in] ──► [Persimmon / Apple / Pear Orchards & Biochemical Farming Walk] ──► [Garden Charcoal BBQ & Local Sake]
DAY 2
[Local Bread Breakfast] ──► [Select Vegetables at Funaoka Natural Farm] ──► [Rice Harvesting OR Threshing & Hagama Rice-Ball Experience] ──► [Moroga Valley & Ōshika Falls] ──► [Dinner at Hattō Furusato Forest] ──► [Stargazing on the Hirono Highlands]
DAY 3
[Freshly Pounded Mochi Breakfast] ──► [Roadside Station Shopping] ──► [Short Walk Through Historic Wakasa] ──► [Tour Ends at Kōge Station]
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Heritage, Satoyama & Local Flavours
12:30 | Meet at JR Kōge Station
Meet your farmer-guide and receive your Wakasa Railway pass.
12:45 | Wakasa Railway → Tanpi Station
Travel through peaceful countryside aboard Eiji Mitooka’s beautifully designed local train.
13:10 | Japan Heritage Ota Residence
Explore this historic Edo-period farmhouse, its timber architecture and traditional garden.
15:30 | Check-in & Welcome Fruit
Enjoy freshly harvested seasonal fruit and a welcome drink.
16:30 | Satoyama & Biochemical Farming Walk
Walk through seasonal orchards and discover how local bamboo is transformed into a resource for sustainable farming.
18:00 | Garden BBQ & Local Sake
Enjoy charcoal-grilled local pork, venison and farm vegetables paired with regional sake and fruit drinks.
Day 2: Farm, Forest, Waterfalls & Stars
08:00 | Local Breakfast
Start the day with local bread, eggs, homemade fruit preserves and warm soup.
10:00 | Funaoka Natural Farm
Visit a recognised Site Coexisting with Nature and select fresh vegetables for the day’s meals.
10:45 | Traditional Rice Experience
Try seasonal rice harvesting and hasa-gake, or experience threshing, milling and traditional hagama rice cooking.
12:30 | Onigiri & Farm Lunch
Make fresh onigiri and enjoy them with seasonal vegetables, local pickles and wild-game sansho miso.
14:30 | Moroga Valley & Ōshika Falls
Walk through pristine streams, waterfalls, moss-covered forest and ancient beech trees.
17:30 | Hattō Furusato Forest
Arrive at this protected natural area and relax surrounded by forest.
18:30 | Forest Dinner
Enjoy local vegetables, grilled yamame trout, mountain tempura and a seasonal mushroom hot pot.
20:30 | Hirono Highlands Stargazing
Lie beneath a spectacular 360° night sky, far from city lights.
Day 3: Slow Food, Local Life & Historic Wakasa
08:00 | Mochi Breakfast
Try traditional mochi pounding and enjoy freshly made mochi with local flavours.
09:30 | Hattō Roadside Station
Shop for local fruit, rice and crafts while meeting local producers.
11:15 | Wakasa Railway & Wakasa-shuku
Visit historic Wakasa Station and stroll through the nostalgic streets of this former post town.
12:45 | Return to JR Kōge Station
Return to Kōge Station and say farewell to your guide.
Sustainability & Giving Back
A portion of every tour fee is reinvested into conservation activities at Hattō Furusato Forest and Funaoka Natural Farm, both recognised as Sites Coexisting with Nature by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, as well as into the restoration and management of abandoned bamboo groves—one of the region’s environmental challenges.
By travelling here, guests directly contribute to protecting Yazu Town’s landscapes, biodiversity and rural heritage for future generations.
BOOKING & CONTACT
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Planning & Operation: Yazu Town Hattō Rural Tourism Promotion Council / El Bosque
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Official Website: www.example-yazu-rural-tourism.jp
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Group Size: Private small-group tour, limited to 1 group per departure, with a maximum of 6 guests. Please contact us in advance regarding food allergies, dietary requirements, accessibility needs or any other special considerations.