A rice planting event is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, in the Takataki area of Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. Organized through a collaboration among Ichihara Zoo ("Ichihara Zou no Kuni"), Hoshino Farm Takataki Lake, Susu Agri, and Takataki Lake Glamping Resort, the event puts a distinctive twist on the traditional rice planting experience — using organic compost made from elephant dung to enrich the soil.
A Circular Agriculture Experience
The rice planting experience features organic fertilizer derived from elephant dung collected at Ichihara Zoo. By converting animal waste into compost, the project demonstrates how waste reduction and soil improvement can work in tandem. Participants get to take part in actual farming work while learning about this sustainable, circular approach to agriculture.
Under the theme of "nurturing life," the event puts into practice a model that circulates local resources in an environmentally conscious way.
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Venue: Takataki Area Rice Paddy, Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture
Reservations: https://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_guide000000222348/activity_plan/
Plan ①: Rice Planting Experience with Lunch
Pricing for Resort Guests and Ichihara Zoo Members:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥2,500 (souvenir included)
- Children (elementary school age): ¥1,500
- Infants: Free
Pricing for General Visitors:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥3,000 (souvenir included)
- Children (elementary school age): ¥2,000
- Infants: Free
Plan ②: Feed the Elephants an Onigiri Rice Ball
Pricing for Ichihara Zoo Members:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥2,500 (souvenir included)
- Children (elementary school age): ¥1,500
- Infants: Free
Pricing for Resort Guests:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥4,700 (souvenir + Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Children (elementary school age): ¥2,300 (Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Children (age 3 and above): ¥800 (Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Infants: Free
Pricing for General Visitors:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥5,200 (souvenir + Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Children (elementary school age): ¥2,800 (Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Children (age 3 and above): ¥800 (Ichihara Zoo admission included)
- Infants: Free
Event Schedule
- 10:45 AM – Check-in
- 11:00 AM – Rice planting begins
- 12:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:30 PM – Tour of Ichihara Zoo
- 2:00 PM – Elephant performance show at Ichihara Zoo
- 3:00 PM – "Feed an Onigiri to the Elephants" experience at Ichihara Zoo
The Takataki area is known for its rich natural environment and long-standing agricultural traditions. The organizers aim not only to offer a stay-and-experience destination, but also to create a space where local communities and the future can grow together. The event gives children an opportunity to connect with the earth, understand the origins of food, and engage with environmental issues — something the organizers intend to continue offering on an ongoing basis.
Looking ahead, a harvest experience (rice-cutting event) is planned for autumn, using the rice plants grown during this event. Future plans also include incorporating the harvested rice into meal plans for resort guests, evolving the project from a hands-on farming experience all the way to the dinner table.
