Yamanashi is best known for the Fuji Five Lakes, which provide some of the most famous views of Mt. Fuji. And yet there is much more to discover. As well as being graced with extraordinary natural beauty, Yamanashi is a fertile land known for its many farms and vineyards, which yield some of the finest fruit, vegetables and wine in Japan.

As you relax during the two-hour journey from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, you will pass through verdant valleys where Yamanashi’s farmers have produced food for generations. The valleys narrow as you reach your destination at Kobuchizawa Station at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains. Take a moment as you leave the station to look back along the railway at the forests and fields of Yamanashi and, on a clear day, Mt. Fuji in the distance.

You will be staying amidst farmers’ fields and groves of trees at the unique Agriturismo Yutaka lodge, just a short drive from Kobuchizawa Station. Agriturismo Yutaka was founded by a married couple, Yutaka and Yuki Baba, who were inspired by a trip to the famous Italian farmlands of Tuscany, where they were able to learn first-hand about the wonderful produce grown in the region. After moving to Kobuchizawa, they began to think of ways that they could do something similar to share the natural and agricultural wonders of their home.

To help visitors appreciate the connections between the land around them and the food on their plate, Yutaka and Yuki organize farm-to-table experiences that actually take their guests out into the fields. This is a surprisingly relaxing and fulfilling experience. Not only will you learn about the techniques and tools of local farmers, but you can pick the vegetables yourself that will be used to make dinner and breakfast for you back at the lodge.

Yutaka and Yuki learned about farming through their own experiences in Kobuchizawa, cultivating more than 50 different types of vegetables and herbs without using pesticides. Part of their motivation in founding Agriturismo Yutaka was to provide a space where families could come to provide their children with a better understanding of where their food comes from. Being parents themselves, they were well aware that children learn best through participation, by harvesting the vegetables themselves.

Because of the timing of the growing seasons in Yamanashi, this farm-to-table experience is available between May and November. Throughout the rest of the year, visitors can take part in a special session with Yutaka Baba to learn about ethical and sustainable hunting. During this session, you will be able to learn about wild animals hunted in the local area, why they are hunted, and the methods used to hunt them. No actual hunting will take place during the session.

From the moment you arrive at Agriturismo Yutaka, you will realize that you have come somewhere special. From outside, the lodge is stylishly modern, featuring wooden beams and large picture windows along the front of the building. And yet there is something about the place – maybe the shape of the roof, maybe the wooden porch at the front, maybe just the overall layout — that evokes images of a traditional Japanese farmhouse.

The interior of the lodge is designed to encourage a sense of connection with the landscape through the large picture windows. The kitchen, dining area, and living room are all incorporated into a large space that fills with natural light as it looks out onto the surroundings. The bedroom on the first floor contains two double beds, with the bedroom on the second floor has two semi-double beds. Futons can be provided for additional guests. All of this makes Agriturismo Yutaka the perfect accommodation choice for families to relax and enjoy their time together. And best of all—you have it all to yourselves.

The type of cuisine served for dinner at Agriturismo Yutaka hails back to the Tuscany trip that originally inspired Yutaka and Yuki Baba to found this agritourism retreat in Yamanashi. The meal is therefore Italian in nature, but flavored by local vegetables picked on the farm, some of which were collected during your farm-to-table experience.

The food will be served to you at your accommodation on the dining table that looks out through the large picture windows. As you savor each delicious bite, you can see the very land where the ingredients were grown. Internationally-inspired yet locally-produced, it is a dinner with a story that reminds us that food is something that we all have in common.

After a restful night amidst the serenity of the Yamanashi countryside, you will wake to find the living room, dining space, and kitchen bathed in gentle morning light. A freshly-made breakfast awaits you, this time served Japanese-style, and yet again made using local produce, including vegetables from the farm. Feel free to take your time and linger over a cup of tea or coffee as you admire the view and watch your children play inside or out in front of the lodge.

Wine is not a beverage that most people associate with Japan, but Yamanashi actually has a long history of vineyards growing grapes to produce fine wines, many of which have won international awards. After checking out of Agriturismo Yutaka, you will visit the nearby winery of Komaki Vineyard. Founded in 2005, this winery takes advantage of the excellent local climate to grow organic grapes to make Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, and Gewurtztraminer wines.

Touring the vineyards themselves is a great way to gain a greater appreciation for the art, and science, of turning grapes on the vine to wine in your glass. Your guide will be happy to explain the entire process, answering any questions you have along the way. Following the tour, you can enjoy wine tasting outdoors at a table with views across the vineyards. The wine is served along with some tasty snacks. Children are welcome to join the tour accompanied by their parents. A selection of non-alcoholic beverages are available.

Repeat visitors to Japan are well aware that the country possesses one of the most unique and celebrated food cultures in the world. Much of this, of course, is down to preparation techniques and clever combinations developed over hundreds of years, but it is also connected to the preference for quality fresh food sourced locally depending on the season.

Just as Yutaka and Yuki Baba once gained insight into Italian cuisine through their travels in Tuscany, your experiences at Agriturismo Yutaka will take you to the agricultural heart of Japan’s unique food culture. In addition, harvesting vegetables directly from the farm to be prepared for you at dinner and breakfast is a wonderful activity to help your children appreciate where their food comes from and a great memory to cherish as a family.