An Authentic Homestay Experience in Rural Nagano

Immerse yourself in the warmth of local life in a mountain village

Tiny farming villages evoking days of old dot the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Nagano Prefecture. Here, people continue to live traditionally in harmony with nature. In this land of rice fields, verdant hills, and quaint farmhouses, a local family will welcome you into their home to share delicious home-cooked meals, take part in farming activities, and stay the night in an idyllic setting.
 
Activities vary along with the seasons. You’ll plant seedlings in late spring or pick fresh vegetables in summer; harvest golden sheaves of rice in autumn and hang them to dry in the sun. Come winter and the task is hanging strings of bright orange persimmons to dry, shrivel, and sweeten in the cool air, weave straw decorations, or ferment miso paste.

Dinner and breakfast are included, and you’ll have the opportunity to prepare these meals with your hosts. Learn how to make popular Japanese dishes, such as onigiri rice balls and miso shiru (miso soup) from homegrown ingredients, and sample unique regional food like rustic egoma mochi, flavored, chewy pounded rice. Make lasting memories eating, drinking, and laughing together around the family table.
 
For those who want a taste of local life, but still prefer the privacy of a hotel room in the evening, half-day tours are also available.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Chuo Line rapid train to Shinjuku Station (about 13 minutes), then take the Azusa limited express train to Chino Station (about two hours four minutes). Chino Tabi will arrange transportation from the station.

Rural Village Stay (Chino Tourism Organization)