Farm stays—agricultural homestays—are an increasingly popular way for families to travel. This time, our social media staff member and his family of five stayed at “hanare 6tsuki” in Meiwa-town, Mie Prefecture, and experienced farming. In this article, we’ll share their authentic farm stay experience and answer common questions like, “What’s a farm stay really like?” and “Is it fun with kids?”
Meet the Family Behind Our Farm Stay Adventures:
👨 Dad – The “big brother” of the family and our forever Peter Pan at heart. As long as there’s delicious food on the trip, he’s happy.
👩 Me – I run STAY JAPAN’s social media accounts. I’m a fan of traditional Japanese homes—as long as they’re clean!
👧 Eldest Daughter (13) – A teen who’d honestly rather stay in a hotel than a farmhouse. Wi-Fi is non-negotiable (gotta watch YouTube!).
👧 Second Daughter (10) – Loves both farm stays and guesthouses.
👦 Youngest Son (6) – The star of the family. Just started first grade and charms everyone he meets.
Table of contents：
- Farm stay experience trip | 3 nights, 4 days schedule
- What is the farm stay facility “hanare 6tsuki” where we stayed?
- Farm experience report | Working in the broad bean field
- Dinner with local ingredients in the inn’s kitchen
- Impressions after the stay and the appeal of farm stays
- How to book a farm stay with STAY JAPAN?
- [Summary] What I want to convey in my farm stay experience
Farm stay experience trip | 3 nights, 4 days schedule
Day 1 (May 3rd)
Traveled from Tokyo to Nagoya by Shinkansen. Changed to the Kintetsu Limited Express at Nagoya and got off at Toba Station. Had Ise udon and spiny lobster sashimi for lunch. (Two bites per person. Finished in a flash). Waited in line for 40 minutes before meeting the sea otters at Toba Aquarium, then said hello to the dugongs. Drive to the hotel in Shima by rental car.
Day 2 (May 4th)
We took a stroll around the hotel grounds in a golf cart. Afterwards, we enjoyed taking photos at Shima Mediterranean Village and Yokokawa Observatory. Apparently Shima Mediterranean Village was the filming location for a movie my second daughter is a big fan of. For lunch, at my husband’s request, we got some takeaway unaju. We stopped off at Aeon on the way, which delighted the city-dwelling kids. On this day, we stayed at a different hotel in Shima than on the first day.
Day 3 (May 5th)
We drove from the hotel in a rental car. We visited the Naiku, the Sengukan Memorial Hall (my husband wanted to show the kids), and the Geku, and each ate what we liked in Okage Yokocho. We gave up on visiting VISON, bought some meat at a butcher’s in Meiwa-cho on the way, and arrived at Hanare 6tsuki. As rain was forecast for the next day, we changed our plans and started our farm work experience at 5pm.
Day 4 (May 6th)
As predicted, it started raining in the morning. We leisurely brewed some coffee at the inn and checked out at 10am. On the way, we stopped off at Aeon again, which the kids had been eager to try, and returned the rental car. After lunch of one last bowl of Ise udon in front of Ise-shi Station, we headed home.
What is the farm stay facility “hanare 6tsuki” where we stayed?
“hanare 6tsuki“
When I first joined the company, this private rental home in Meiwa Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture was featured on the STAY JAPAN homepage.
For over a year, I worked with the thought, “Someday, I’d love to stay there.” And finally, that wish came true — I had the chance to visit with my family.
Although the accommodation has a capacity of 4 guests, I contacted the host in advance and was kindly given special permission for all five of us to stay, on the condition that we could manage with four sets of futons.
The space reflects the host’s thoughtful attention to detail and hospitality… from the furniture and interior, to the music equipment (records and CDs), and children’s facilities (toilet seat and cutlery).
Although there are no televisions at the inn, there are board games, picture books, and other ideas to help you enjoy a digital detox stay. Even families with young children can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free stay.
Farm experience report | Working in the broad bean field
The highlight of our farm stay experience was working in the broad bean field. After settling in, we borrowed rubber boots from our host and headed straight to the field.
This time, we helped with weeding and mounding soil around the base of the plants to help the broad beans grow bigger and stronger.
While working in the field, we spotted a ladybug! The host explained, “They eat the aphids that get on the beans,” and “Broad beans grow upward toward the sky.” The children naturally absorbed these little lessons about agriculture through hands-on experience with nature.
We also had the rare opportunity to collect seeds from last year’s leftover okra pods—a truly special experience.
Back home, those okra seeds took on a new life—they became part of my son’s school project. To our delight, his class decided to grow okra together!
Right after the holidays, my son proudly brought the seeds to school and gave a presentation about his farm stay experience in Mie, sharing what he learned during our trip.
His teacher even wrote in the communication notebook, “Thank you for allowing the class to learn through what he experienced.” It truly warmed my heart and reminded me how these small moments can create meaningful connections and lasting impact.
Dinner with local ingredients in the inn
The accommodation was impressively well-equipped—not only with a hot plate, but also with all the essential kitchen tools, like a salad bowl, slicer, and more. Inside the fridge, we found a variety of seasonings, including yakiniku sauce and dressing. Every little detail reflected the host’s thoughtful hospitality, aimed at ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. It truly captured the essence of a farm stay where you “travel as if you live there.”
We purchased a vegetable set and 2 cups of rice from the fridge, then enjoyed a yakiniku party featuring Matsusaka beef and freshly picked vegetable salad. The rice, seafood, and meat were all incredibly delicious—Mie Prefecture is such a wonderful place!
At night, the peaceful countryside came alive with a symphony of croaking frogs—“Ribbit Ribbit…”—echoing all around us. As we cleaned up the dishes together, we laughed and wondered, “Just how many frogs are out there?” These quiet, shared moments are rare in our daily lives, and being able to enjoy them as a family is one of the true joys of a farm stay.
The next day, it rained. We took our time in the cozy house, brewing coffee and slowly preparing to leave Meiwa Town, bringing with us a bundle of fresh vegetables and warm memories.
Impressions after the stay and the appeal of farm stays
After returning home, my husband couldn’t stop raving about our farm stay experience to his coworkers. Even his luxury-loving colleagues were fascinated, peppering him with questions like, “Where did you book it?” and “Is it okay with kids?”
For our family, it became an irreplaceable memory—an experience where we could connect with nature, learn, and live in a new way.
Farm stays and private rentals might seem intimidating at first, but STAY JAPAN offers clean, comfortable, and family-friendly options that put those worries to rest.
If you’re planning your next trip, why not consider a farm stay through STAY JAPAN? It might just be your most memorable adventure yet.
How to book a farm stay with STAY JAPAN?
Interested in trying a farm stay? Start with STAY JAPAN!
・ Farm stays with hands-on agricultural experiences
・ Entire homes available—perfect for families
・ Fully equipped kitchens for self-catering
・ A stay full of nature, culture, and learning opportunities
[Summary] What I want to convey in my farm stay experience
Our farm stay experience in Mie Prefecture was filled with new discoveries and learning opportunities—for both children and adults.
TThe future of travel is about more than just sightseeing. It’s about living, hands-on experiences, and coexisting with nature.
For your next trip, consider a farm stay somewhere in Japan—you might just discover a whole new way to travel.