Farm Life is Full of Sustainable Practices
Experience True Country Life in “Sora no Sato” at 100 to 900-Meter Elevation

Sweet potatoes by the kotatsu, caption (draft)
High school students participating in a farm stay experience with a host family taking a break and introducing themselves.

The work and lifestyles of farmers are full of ingenious ways to treasure and recycle resources

Students immediately begin exploring around the house. “It’s about 2 degrees colder here than down below,” the farmer explains. “In winter, 40 to 50 cm of snow piles up, turning everything pure white.” The students take deep breaths of the crisp, clear air.
As they explore, they come across something resembling green beans, dried whole on their stems. They are azuki beans. “I’ve never seen azuki beans still in their pods before!” The farmer explains that they harvest them while still green and dry them to transfer the stem’s nutrients to the beans.
The students also experience harvesting eggplants in the greenhouse. “You can tell they’re firm by touching them. Pick the soft ones,” the farmer instructs. One student takes a bite and notes, “It’s sweet!” All five senses are fully engaged as they touch the soil and smell its scent.
The farmer adds, “Let’s take the radish leaves home for the chickens.” “Turnip greens are delicious in miso soup.” These remarks are filled with the wisdom of a lifestyle that uses every part of the crop. As such, the students discover SDGs in practice while interacting with the farmer.

Harvesting ginger. “Grab the root and give it a tug.” “If you mess up, just dig it up. Even without tools, you can use the stems. Let’s make ginger ale later!”

Experience farming that is unique to sloped land

The steepest slope reaches 40 degrees. It feels like things will roll down if you’re not careful. There is a farming method in this region called “koeguro,” where dried silvergrass is bundled and stacked into a cone shape to be used in the fields the following year. This is a farming method that coexists with nature and is unique to Sora no Sato. On steep slopes, rain causes stones and soil to wash away, so koeguro are placed horizontally across the fields.
The practices that the people of Sora no Sato have adopted as a matter of course to survive have been recognized as a globally rare, sloped land farming system, designated as a “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.” Students experience the making of koeguro, as well as soil-turning work specific to fields on steep slopes using a traditional hoe called “sarae.”

A farmer bundling silvergrass to make koeguro. It also serves as fertilizer and helps cultivate fields on steep slopes.

True country life that can only be felt by living as part of the family

At Sora no Sato, where this program is offered, each host family decides what activities guests will do during their farm stay. The real charm of this program is experiencing true country life, such as enjoying simple home-cooked meals made with freshly harvested produce and spending time together like grandchildren visiting their grandparents.
Farm stay guests are given a “Ten Requests” document. 1. Listen carefully to your host family’s rules and follow their instructions. 2. Help with cooking and cleanup. 3. Confirm any allergies. 4. Take your own precautions against insect bites. 5. Wear long sleeves and long pants. 6. Make and put away futons and tidy your room. 7. Bathe at the designated time. 8. Do not use cell phones or play games. 9. Bring your own necessary medications. And finally, 10. Each family prepares various experiences; farm work can be hard, but please engage in conversation with family members while learning about country life.
What makes farm stays at Sora no Sato a true country life experience is that guests aren’t treated as customers but as family members, experiencing farm life and work firsthand.

The wife of a host family. What makes her happiest is when visitors say “I’m glad I came here” as they leave.

The operations manager of Sora no Sato.
“Many visitors say they enjoyed interacting with people. Farmers feel that visitors revitalize the community and help preserve their hometown, so they want to continue welcoming visitors.”

Learning deepened through human interaction

Students participating in the farm stay experience learn about life in Sora no Sato, its initiatives, and challenges ahead of time, so they can think of questions to ask. During their farm stay interactions, they freely ask questions like “What challenges does this community face?” or “What happens if someone gets sick?” and deepen their understanding. On the final day, they also have a discussion session with local high school students, which leads into a summary learning activity.
Foreign visitors who come to Japan for farm stays are often interested in Japan, and host families are also curious about foreign cultures, so it seems communication is generally not a problem.
Talk a lot with your host family, work together on house and farm work, and enjoy the traditional Japanese way of life. You’ll gain exposure to many Japanese customs and the wisdom of farmers.