I had a wonderful time at ENJ and [..] received plenty of support in planning my trip and overcoming the language barrier. The food was brilliant, and I learned a lot about Japanese cuisine. For me, the whole experience was perfect [..]
Arrive as a guest at our small farm in eastern Hokkaido – and leave with a sense of belonging. Surrounded by forests and open landscapes, our eco farm is a place to slow down, share everyday life, and enjoy simple, seasonal food – a place where your stay follows the rhythm of the seasons, and you decide how closely you want to be part of it.
Surrounded by diverse landscapes and forests, our farmstay in Hokkaido is part of a living, ever-changing ecosystem. Birds visit the garden throughout the day, squirrels forage nearby, and deer regularly pass through the surrounding fields. With a bit of luck, even red-crowned cranes may come by – quiet visitors that remind us we share this land with wildlife and respect its natural rhythms.
On our small eco farm in Japan, sustainability is part of everyday life. We grow much of our own food, combine traditional knowledge with modern technology, and place strong emphasis on renewable energy and biodiversity. This is our home, which we share with our guests – valuing genuine exchange, whether over shared meals, in everyday moments together, or during quiet time outdoors, always at your own pace.
Nestled between Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu, and Kushiro Shitsugen National Parks, our farmstay in eastern Hokkaido lies in one of Japan’s most unspoiled regions. Surrounded by volcanic landscapes, forests, lakes, and wetlands, wildlife still roams freely here: red-crowned cranes dance in the snowy marshes, and whooper swans spend the winter on steaming lake shores. In the regoin, you’ll find two vast caldera lakes, an active volcano, natural hot springs, and the culture of the Ainu, Hokkaido’s indigenous people. Whatever the season, this is a place to slow down and experience Japan far from the usual routes.
Measuring up to 150 cm in height and with a wingspan of over two metres, the red-crowned crane is one of Japan’s largest birds. It is deeply rooted in Japanese culture as a symbol of long life and good fortune. Around 1900, it was thought to be extinct, until a few birds were rediscovered in the Kushiro wetlands in eastern Hokkaido in 1924. Thanks to decades of conservation work, around 1,900 birds now live here again, and this is the only place in Japan where a year-round population exists. The Ainu called it the ‘God of the Marshes’. In winter, when the cranes perform their courtship dances in the snow, you can witness them at their most impressive – sometimes even right next to our farm.
Our farmstay is near Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in the country. It was formed by an ancient volcanic collapse, and the ground beneath it is still alive. Within the caldera, Mount Io steams through roughly 1,500 fumaroles, turning its barren slopes bright yellow with sulfur. The Ainu named it Atosanupuri, the ‘bare mountain’, where from 1877 until 1963 sulfur was mined and shipped around the world. Today, the same underground heat feeds the strongly acidic hot springs of Kawayu Onsen, warms the sand on the lakeshore where you can dig your own onsen, and keeps patches of water ice-free for wintering whooper swans. We even have a natural hot spring bath in our home, alkaline plant-based & mineral-rich, a rare moor onsen, leaving your skin silky smooth.
In 2026, we planted our first fruit forest, and our animals – Saanen goats and Aigamo ducks – found a home on our farm. Each of them has a role to play. In Japan, Aigamo ducks are traditionally used in water-filled rice paddies, where they eat weeds, insects and snails and so keep pest pressure low. We have brought this idea to our orchard: Here, the ducks forage for pests between the young fruit trees and enrich the soil along the way. Their fresh eggs go straight from the coop to the kitchen, a true farm-to-table approach. It is the foundation on which we will expand our Farmstay Japan step by step.
We are developing our farmstay Japan step by step, in harmony with nature and the seasons. Our aim is to keep our ecological footprint as small as possible and to produce the majority of our own food, as part of a self-sufficient, eco-friendly lifestyle. Our Japanese Saanen milk goats are a big part of this. They help us look after the property by grazing and fertilising the soil, and they supply fresh milk for homemade dairy products, from yoghurt and butter to goat cheese. During your stay, you will not only get to know a lesser-known side of Japan, but also discover interconnected ecological systems and everyday life in self-sufficiency. We welcome curious guests who want to experience a place that is still growing and evolving.
In the Spring of 2026, we laid the foundation of a fruit forest, grown according to the principles of agroforestry, permaculture and hugelkultur, in which raised mounds of decaying wood store water and feed the soil. About 70 plantings are arranged in four guilds, groups of plants that support one another through shade, soil improvement or pollination. Alongside different cultivars of apple, plum and other fruit trees, you will find hazelnuts, mulberries and a wide variety of berry bushes, all carefully chosen for the region’s climate, including natives. Integrated into an existing forest ecosystem, they are meant to increase biodiversity and attract pollinating insects. It is a long-term project that will look different with every season.
We naturally blend European and Japanese ways of life, combining traditions and cultural values from both with the comfort of modern living. Staying with us means being part of a lived-in place, not an anonymous hotel where you never meet a soul. You are welcome to join us in cooking, gardening or daily farm tasks, or simply enjoy the quiet: reading, walking and resting in nature. For remote workers, the calm surroundings offer rare focus, with forests, lakes and wetlands right outside the door when it is time for a break. There is no fixed programme and no expectations, just the space to shape your stay in a way that feels right for you.
Being able to produce what we need every day and to cook from scratch is valuable knowledge. It directly translates into independence and resilience, not least in times of crisis or natural disaster. In our farm-to-table approach, we cook together with our guests, using fresh produce from our own farm and ingredients from local producers. Cooking together is also a way to learn: how to preserve the harvest, how to use what the season offers, and how to make simple ingredients taste extraordinary. For guests from the West, we prepare authentic Japanese dishes; for our Japanese guests, we do the reverse and cook the dishes of our home countries.
Thanks to the geothermal activity beneath the region, hot springs are everywhere here, and there is even a hot spring bath in our own house. Around Lake Kussharo, you can soak in open-air baths right on the shore, looking out over Japan’s largest caldera lake and, in winter, over whooper swans floating on the water. Nearby, Kawayu Onsen offers one of the most strongly acidic sulfur springs in the country. Bathing is a central part of everyday life in Japan, a way to unwind after a long day and to stay warm through the cold winters. A soak in mineral-rich water also helps soothe tired muscles, and there is hardly a better place to experience it than here.
Limited to 1 group per night together with the hosts, and limited to 180 nights/year.
Secure your booking today.
Refund Policy
The deposit paid at the time of booking is non-refundable.
30 days before arrival: Full refund of the remaining balance.
14–29 days before arrival: 50% refund of the remaining balance.
Less than 14 days before arrival, no-show, or early departure: No refund.
For any questions, please contact us.
Best rate here on our website
I had a wonderful time at ENJ and [..] received plenty of support in planning my trip and overcoming the language barrier. The food was brilliant, and I learned a lot about Japanese cuisine. For me, the whole experience was perfect [..]
Hannah
I stayed at ENJ during my solo backpacking trip in east Hokkaido. The hosts met me at the closest train station and welcomed me to their home, sharing insights into their food forest, farm animals, and passions in small-scale sustainable farming and self-sufficiency.
Mami
I stayed [..] with my two children. The room was clean, and the wooden counter table was lovely. [..] Surrounded by nature, the large windows offer a view of the outside scenery like a big screen television, creating a sense of openness. You can see goats grazing in the morning!
Jacqueline
This was my second time staying at Tammo and Sayakas Farmstay, and I’m very happy with my experience. We cooked authentic Japanese dishes together from scratch. They’re happy to cater to individual preferences and to recommend interesting activities and places worth visiting. [..] I’ll definitely be back.
Sayaka grew up in New Zealand with a Japanese mother and a Kiwi father, visiting Japan every year and speaking Japanese at home. After falling in love with the country over many years, she made Hokkaido her permanent home — drawn partly by nature that reminds her of New Zealand's wide open landscapes.
Tammo grew up in Germany, found his way to Japan through a passion for Japanese cars and language, and now lives in Japan.
Together we're an international couple who ended up exactly where we belong — in the Hokkaido countryside, welcoming guests from around the world. We love being a bridge into this corner of Japan that most travelers never find.
Tammo & Sayaka will stay at the property upstairs, to welcome you in our home.
We offer our farmstay Japan in the beautiful countryside of East Hokkaido focused on slow travel, sustainability, and everyday life close to nature.
This is not a resort or anonymous accommodation, but a shared space where guests can experience a quiet, seasonal rhythm and decide for themselves how much they want to engage.
There is a private guestroom with a shared living space with the hosts.
Up to 1 group can stay with us per night.
Up to 4 guests in 1 group can stay in the 1 large guestroom, that can have up to 4 futons with plenty of space.
There is a shared bathroom, shared kitchen and shared shower, bath & laundry.
Guests may use the natural mineral-rich hot spring bath in the home. It is a rare moor onsen, alkaline tea-like water, leaving your skin silky smooth.
Tammo and Sayaka will be upstairs in the same house, to keep you company & help you.
Perfect for solo travelers, couples, groups of friends or small families.
Check in is 15:00～20:00. Check out is 7:00～11:00.
Please do not hesitate to ask anything.
We have 3 goats and 10 ducks on the property. They will eventually provide us goat milk and duck eggs. We are a small hobby farm, next to abundant farmland, and we have a private forest on our property. A fruit forest has been planted in Spring 2026 and is growing, along with many vegetables.
There are many birds that stop by. We communicate openly about this, so guests know exactly what to expect when they book.
There is no obligation to participate. Guests are welcome to join us in cooking, gardening, or everyday farm tasks, but it is equally fine to simply rest, read, practice your English/Japanese/German, soak in the mineral-rich hot springs, and enjoy the surrounding nature. Your stay is shaped by your own pace and preferences.
Yes, breakfast, lunch & dinner are optional.
We are licensed to serve food and drinks, and the menu includes home-cooked Japanese meals, pizza from scratch, home-made bread, saké tasting and more.
Please specify any food allergies. e.g. lactose intolerance, nut allergy, gluten intolerance, etc. at the time of booking.
There are also restaurants nearby, with recommendations available in the e-book after booking.
Yes. There is a private room available. Our farmstay is well suited for guests seeking tranquility, nature, and time away from busy schedules. The rural location, open landscapes, and seasonal environment make it an ideal place to slow down, reflect, and rest. Please know the hosts will be living in the same house as you. There is a natural mineral-rich hot spring bath in the home, where you can relax and rejuvenate tired muscles.
Yes! We have fibre optic Wifi installed in the house, complimentary to your stay. Great for remote working, watching movies and keeping in touch.
Yes. Our accommodation is officially registered as a private accommodation in Japan (license number 第M010060102号). We host a limited number of guests to keep the experience personal and respectful of the place. Up to 180 nights in a year. Please ensure you reserve well in advance.
For bookings with an arrival date more than 30 days in the future, a 30% deposit is required to confirm the reservation. This deposit is due at the time of booking and can be conveniently and securely paid online via credit card (using Stripe) or by bank transfer to a Wise account.
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days before arrival. If preferred, the full amount can also be paid immediately—either online or by transfer.
For last-minute bookings made within 30 days of arrival, the full amount is due immediately upon booking.
If a due payment is not received on time, we reserve the right to cancel the booking. In such cases, any deposit already paid will be forfeited.
All payment details will be clearly displayed during the booking process.
5 minute drive to the convenience store (Seico-mart). 15 minutes drive to the supermarket & town centre.
Please contact us first, and we can help plan.
Please know it is by reservation only.
Our property is located in eastern Hokkaido, surrounded by forests and open countryside, and within reach of Akan-Mashu National Park (About 30 minutes from Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo), Kushiro Shitsugen, and Shiretoko National Park. In a green area near the border of Teshikaga town & Shibecha town.
A 5 minute drive from Isobunnai Station, or 15 minute drive from Mashu Train station.
There are 3 different airports around 1 hour drive away: Kushiro Airport, Memanbetsu Airport & Nakashibetsu Airport. About a 4 hour drive from New Chitose Airport.
Find more detailed directions & advice in our e-book after booking.
Our Farmstay is, of course, located in the countryside. While there is public transport available, a rental car is highly recommended if you want to venture outside the quietness of farm life and enjoy freedom of movement. A lot of nationalities are allowed to drive with a translation of their home country's driving licence, and rental cars are widely available at airports or around major train stations.
That said, former guests enjoyed their stay relying solely on public transport and special tourist passes like the JR Railpass even cover the whole ride from Tokyo to our nearest train station - Isobunnai - from where we can pick you up.
Vice versa, you can also start your Trip here in Hokkaido with us and travel with the JR Railpass towards the big metropolis like Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
If you decide on a rental car and are unsure about the procedures, please ask us before booking or find valuable information in our e-book after booking.