Hokkaido milk is gradually becoming a favorite in the Philippines. But there’s still nothing quite like having it right where it came from. Have a taste of not just the dairy products but also of what Hokkaido’s countryside has to offer, including tours and even glamping at dairy farms.
 

• Hokkaido milk covers 50% of Japan's milk production
• It's used in different dairy products for its vanilla-like taste
• Hokkaido milk farms offer food tasting and glamping experiences

 
What makes Hokkaido Milk special?

 

Hokkaido, also known as Japan's largest and northernmost prefecture, is responsible for producing over 50% of Japan's milk. The region has a cool climate and wide pastures with fresh air that is said to be the optimal, stress-free environment for cows. This environment, in turn, contributes greatly to the best quality of smooth and creamy milk that Filipinos have come to love. Of course, the milk is also free of any added processed ingredients.
 
Hokkaido milk has a mild, almost vanilla-like flavor and a rich taste that coats the tastebuds. It's used in various dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, butter, bread, cakes, chocolates, and even beer!

 

 

One of the most popular treats made from Hokkaido milk is soft-serve ice cream. It's typically made within a few hours of milking the cow, making it smooth, fresh and creamy.

Hokkaido milk farm tours and glamping

You won’t want to miss out on touring the farms that produce this sweet dairy treat while in Hokkaido. Not only will it give you a closer look at the dairy milk farming process, you’ll even get the chance to feed milk to the calves! Here are a few of the many milk farms in Hokkaido that offer such experiences.

Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm

 

 

• Make your own ice cream
• Enjoy the view of Mount Yotei

 
Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm has an ice cream-making workshop where you can make your own soft-serve ice cream! They also have numerous restaurants within the farm where you can enjoy dishes with cheese, made from their very own fresh Hokkaido milk. You'll also have a good view of Mount Yotei, which is one of Hokkaido's most famous stratovolcanoes.

 

Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm Address: 888-1, Soga, Niseko-cho Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 048-1522, Japan Website: https://niseko-takahashi.jp/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yamakawa Bokujou

 

 

• A milk farm that’s been in business since the late Meiji period
• Savor the farm's milk, cheese, and ice cream products

 
Located in Nanae Town that’s nestled in the southern region of Hokkaido, this Hokkaido milk farm has been in business since the late Meiji period and has been producing, manufacturing, and selling milk since 1945. The farm has a milk plant and also a store within its property where it offers milk, cheese, and ice cream tasting. It's conveniently located just 10 minutes away by walk from the JR Onuma Station, so it's easy to access too.
 

Yamakawa Bokujou Address: 628 Onumamacho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido, 041-1354 Japan Website: https://www.yamakawabokujo.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Watanabe Experience Farm

 

 

• A certified national educational dairy farm
• Offers experiences such as feeding cows, cow-milking, butter and ice cream making, and tractor rides around the meadows

 
This 70-hectare farm is a certified national educational dairy farm and is home to 120 dairy cows. You can learn about the relationship the people of Hokkaido have with nature and how it factors into their milk production industry here and also learn to be grateful to the cows for providing milk, to value life, and to be thankful for food here. You can also get a firsthand experience on milking and feeding the cows as well as making butter and ice cream. They also give tractor ride tours around the property.
 

Watanabe Experience Farm Address: Genya 646-4, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3200, Japan Website: https://www.wataiken.co.jp/

 

 

 

 

 

Tokachi Shinmura Farm

 

 

• An environmentally conscious dairy farm
• Enjoy a warm sauna and hearty barbecue within the property

 
Head over to the Tokachi Shinmura Farm, an environmentally conscious dairy farm that produces milk and products such as yoghurt and milk jam. The farm is run by a fourth-generation dairy farmer who uses sustainable farming practices to lessen the farm’s environmental impact. You can also enjoy their sauna and barbecue experiences. The meal includes your choice of drink (grazed milk or iced tea), salad, waffles, three kinds of sausages, steak, and soft-serve ice cream. You can also add a trip to the Shihoro Onsen for a refreshing bath.

 

Tokachi Shinmura Farm Address: 1 Sen-261 Kamiotofuke Nishi, Kamishihoro-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido 080-1407, Japan Website: https://milkjam.net/

 

 

 

 

 

 

After trying out Hokkaido milk and the unique experiences that come with it, don’t forget to explore other things the prefecture has to offer.