Farm Stay in Odate with Kiritampo and Hinai Jidori Hot Pot

Welcome to Odate, a scenic area located in the mountains of Akita Prefecture. Here, guests will enjoy the warm hospitality of Ishigaki-san, a local farmer’s mother who is very active in the community. In addition to tending to her own apple orchard and starting a local shop where farmers come to sell their produce, she runs a local farm inn where guests can take part in hands-on rural activities, like light farm work and cooking classes with local ingredients. Under Ishigaki-san’s tutelage, guests will learn traditional Japanese cooking methods, starting with how to make “tampo,” a pounded rice dish that is wrapped around a skewer and toasted around a fire. Tampo forms the base of two delicious Akita dishes that guests will make. The first dish is Miso Tsuke Tampo, a snack that is enjoyed freshly-grilled and spread with a sweet miso glaze. The crunchy exterior and soft chewy interior make it a satisfying snack, while the sweet miso glaze stimulates the taste buds. It’s the perfect appetizer to precede the main dish: Kiritampo hot pot, made with Hinai Jidori, a high-quality local breed of chicken. After the warming hot pot feast, take a chance to relax and appreciate the artwork and architecture of the farm inn, including the traditional Japanese tea room and paintings featuring the famous Akita dog breed. Then, wind down for the evening with a dip in the rejuvenating local onsen hot spring, and enjoy a cozy night in. In the morning, join Ishigaki-san for her daily “radio taiso” exercises. Then, she will prepare a hearty breakfast spread that features the best local ingredients, such as Hinai Jidori chicken eggs and Akita apples.