If you are planning an independent trip to Tokyo and want your children to interact closely with animals while enjoying nature, Mother Farm in neighboring Chiba Prefecture is highly recommended! This article summarizes the transportation options and main attractions at Mother Farm. Keep reading to find out more!
How to Get to Mother Farm
Mother Farm is located in Chiba Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo. There are two main ways to travel there from Tokyo: by JR train or by highway bus from Tokyo Station. When using public transportation, you can transfer to a bus at Bus Stop No. 1 outside the south exit of JR Kimitsu Station. The official website also lists a local bus route from JR Sanukimachi Station, so it is recommended to check the timetable in advance and choose the route that best suits your schedule. For families planning a multi-day trip with children, driving is also highly recommended. The nearest car rental location is in front of JR Kimitsu Station. Mother Farm occasionally holds evening illumination events and fireworks displays on special dates, so traveling by car is particularly convenient if you want to stay from morning until night!
Why Is Mother Farm Recommended?
① An Area Equivalent to Approximately 53 Tokyo Domes, Offering a Vast and Relaxing Natural Environment!
For people living busy modern lives, how long has it been since you last stepped onto a grassy field and felt the sunshine and breeze? After wearing masks for such a long time, it is time to return to nature, relax, and breathe in the fresh air! Mother Farm covers approximately 250 hectares, which is equivalent to about 53 Tokyo Domes. It is mainly divided into two large areas: the Mountain Area and the Farm Area. There is also a Glamping Area and the Mother Farm Tour Area.
The vast natural environment not only allows the animals to live happily without stress, but also thoroughly refreshes the minds and bodies of visitors! There are no skyscrapers blocking the view, and there is far less traffic and mechanical noise than in the city. Wherever you look, you will see soothing green scenery, accompanied by the sounds of animals and people laughing. If you have enough time, walking slowly around the farm is highly recommended. Those who want to enjoy more activities efficiently can also use the paid buses within the farm!
② Beautiful Seasonal Flower Fields That Are Perfect for Photos!
Admiring seasonal scenery is one of the essential experiences of an independent trip to Japan, and Mother Farm can certainly satisfy every traveler! From mid-February to mid-April, its fields of rapeseed flowers are said to be the largest in the entire Kanto region. Pale blue nemophila flowers bloom from mid-April to early May, while vivid pink petunias flower from July to September. From September to October, the round kochia bushes gradually turn red and are especially photogenic. Even in winter, fragrant daffodils bloom from late December to mid-February. Beautiful flower fields can therefore be enjoyed during most seasons of the year.
③ Plenty of Amusement Facilities for Both Scenic Views and Exciting Experiences!
In addition to interacting closely with animals, the Waku Waku Land amusement park offers many rides suitable for the entire family, including a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. Both children and adults can have a great time. The Ferris wheel is located at an elevation of 330 meters, and on a clear day, visitors can even see Mount Fuji in the distance. The scenery is extremely beautiful. For those looking for a more exciting experience, the farm also offers outdoor activities such as a zipline. However, some attractions may be temporarily suspended due to weather conditions or equipment inspections, so it is recommended to check the official announcements before visiting.
Must-Try Activities at Mother Farm
Free Activities: Pig Races, Cow Milking, Petting Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and the Heartwarming Sheep Parade!
Mother Farm is not only a sightseeing farm, but also an animal-themed park where visitors can enjoy a variety of hands-on experiences and performances in one place! Inside the Rabbit and Guinea Pig House in the Farm Area, visitors can pet fluffy and adorable guinea pigs and rabbits. The unusual Pig Race and the rare Cow Milking Experience are also free activities. The milking experience is especially popular and is held two to four times per day, depending on the season and date. Be sure to line up early if you want to participate!
At the AGRO DOME performance venue in the Mountain Area, two must-see shows are presented at scheduled times. The Farm Dogs and Farm Friends show features the farm’s adorable animals taking turns on stage, while the Sheep Show brings together 19 different breeds of sheep. The Duck Parade and Sheep Parade also feature large groups of ducks and sheep. During the Sheep Parade, sheepdogs lead 200 sheep as they move forward obediently and sometimes gather into a circle. The scene is both heartwarming and highly immersive!
Paid Activity: A Fun and Informative Bus Tour
Although the performances alone can fill your itinerary, the Mother Farm Tour DX is also highly recommended if time allows. The specially designed open-sided tractor first passes through the cattle farm, allowing visitors to enjoy one of the farm’s most representative views. It then travels into an exclusive section of the tour area, where guests can touch and feed animals. Visitors can also see rare breeds such as Manx Loaghtan sheep with four horns and Belted Galloway cattle, of which there are only two in Japan. Since this activity is extremely popular, anyone interested should purchase tickets in advance!
Before the farm tour begins, it is also recommended to visit the Interaction Farm, where you can enter the animals’ living area and observe ducks, goats, and the uncommon Patagonian mara as they walk around and eat. Visitors who like horses can feed them at the Horse Farm or enjoy a short horseback ride around a designated area. These feeding activities are reasonably priced. For example, feeding a horse costs JPY 300 per session, while feeding sheep or goats costs JPY 200. Even participating several times offers excellent value. Bringing children here is highly recommended, as they can enjoy precious experiences that are impossible to find in the city.
Must-Try Food and Recommended Accommodation at Mother Farm
Farm Milk Ice Cream, Special Sausages, and Plenty of Other Delicious Options!
The restaurants inside the farm offer a wide selection of meals. In addition to the popular and adorable cow-shaped curry rice, there are also generous steak sets. The sausages served with the meals are produced in the farm’s own factory and can only be enjoyed here. If you are visiting with family or friends, ordering Jingisukan grilled lamb to share is also recommended. The ordering area offers many menu options, allowing visitors to choose and purchase food directly. It is extremely convenient, and even those who do not speak Japanese can easily enjoy a satisfying meal!
When visiting a farm, it is only natural to try the freshest local products! Visit the snack stands located in different areas of the farm to enjoy delicious fresh milk that perfectly captures the farm atmosphere, as well as sweet and creamy milk ice cream!
Experience Glamping with Exclusive Activities for Overnight Guests!
The increasingly popular experience of glamping is also available at Mother Farm! Accommodation options include cabins and ten different types of glamping tents. In addition to the basic Farm Terrace, which includes a main tent and a side tent for BBQ, there is also the Villa Terrace with scenic views and a two-level wooden deck, the highly private Gran Terrace located in the forest, and the top-grade Dome Tent Sky Premium, a semicircular tent with windows. Every glamping accommodation is fully equipped with comfortable bedding, heating and air conditioning, tables, chairs, and other facilities, providing a level of comfort comparable to a hotel. However, unlike a city hotel, the glamping area is surrounded by nature. Guests can admire magnificent farm scenery in the morning and enjoy a sky filled with stars at night, creating a relaxing and peaceful experience.
Guests staying in the glamping area can also enjoy additional special activities, such as making butter for free, milking cows in the fresh morning air, and taking commemorative photos with alpacas. After collecting breakfast from the reception hall in the morning, guests may enjoy it anywhere within the farm. Since admission to the farm is free on both the check-in and check-out days, staying for one night is highly recommended so that you can fully enjoy everything the farm has to offer!
Mother Farm is not only an excellent destination for families with children, but also a wonderful place for couples on a date or large groups of friends looking to have fun together! The next time you plan an independent trip to Japan’s Kanto region, remember to set aside one day for Mother Farm and allow nature and the adorable animals to completely refresh your body and mind!