Rice is at the heart of Japanese food culture, but what makes it so special, and how is it grown?

On this private farm tour in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, you'll learn directly from the farmers, polish and cook rice, and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local specialties like Matsusaka beef, red sea bream from Ise, and freshly cooked rice.

This unique experience blends traditional farming with modern techniques, revealing the secrets behind Japan’s most famous food staple.

Your day begins with a refreshing cup of Kameyama green tea in a serene temple garden. Next, take part in a hands-on rice workshop to learn how to polish and cook rice the traditional way. Depending on the season, you'll then stroll through the rice fields or the surrounding village, meeting locals and discovering the rhythms of rural life.

Afterward, sit down to a farm-fresh lunch of onigiri rice balls, Matsusaka beef, red sea bream, and miso soup, savoring the flavors of the region. Throughout the tour, there’s also time for a private photoshoot to capture your experience before wrapping up.

Your host, Takeshi, is a rice farmer who combines his technical background with traditional farming. While completing his graduate studies at Mie University, he works on the farm.

He welcomes guests from around the world, sharing the charms of Japanese countryside life through tours that mix culture, technology, gastronomy, and fun.