Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu, Japan's first (*1) agritourism resort (*2), will hold the Rice School program in 2026, offering authentic rice farming experiences and traditional hagama rice cooking while viewing the original landscape and enjoying freshly cooked rice. Now in its sixth year, the program will be held for guests from April 12 to October 11, 2026, across four sessions. Participants will experience seeding, rice planting, weeding, and harvesting/threshing, followed by making rice balls with hagama-cooked rice. Harvested new rice will be delivered to participants' homes, creating a travel education project where guests can experience the entire life cycle of rice and rediscover its appeal.
*1: Research on "agritourism resorts" in Japan as of April 2019, conducted by the company
*2: "Agritourism" is a coined term combining the Italian words "agricoltura" (agriculture) and "turismo" (tourism), referring to a travel style that enjoys agricultural experiences, nature experiences, and cultural exchanges unique to the region.
Background
According to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries data, the area of rice paddies in Japan has decreased from approximately 3.123 million hectares in 1965 to approximately 2.15 million hectares in 2024. Additionally, per capita rice consumption has declined from 111.7 kg in 1965 to 51.6 kg in 2024. As Japan's first agritourism resort that celebrates agricultural experiences, nature experiences, and cultural exchanges unique to the region, the resort aims to preserve rice paddies for the future. By conveying to participants the beauty of Japan's original landscape with spreading rice paddies and the importance of the creatures and natural environment living there, the resort believes this will lead to a future where rural landscapes remain in Japan. The project was launched in cooperation with local farmers who share the same vision.
Sources:
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 2024 Food Supply and Demand Table
Features of Rice School
1. Authentic Rice Farming Experience in On-Site Rice Paddies
From April to October, participants perform manual work such as "seeding," "rice planting," and "harvesting/threshing" according to the season. Guests experience rice farming while receiving instruction from hotel staff who are also rice producers on topics like walking techniques in rice paddies and handling sickles. Since the rice paddies are located on the property, there's no concern about travel before or after the experience, and clothing, boots, and gloves are provided, allowing guests to participate easily.
2. Experience the Full Life Cycle of Rice by Tasting Hagama-Cooked Rice
Participants challenge hagama rice cooking using RISONARE Nasu-grown rice harvested the previous year. Participants adjust the fire from starting the fire to steaming the rice, making rice balls with freshly cooked hagama rice, and enjoying them while viewing the rural landscape. Rice School is a program where guests can experience the entire life cycle of rice not only through growing it but also by tasting the cooked rice.
3. Reflect on Rice Farming Experience While Eating New Rice Delivered to Your Home
After the fourth session ends, harvested new rice will be shipped to each participant's home. Participants can eat the rice they helped produce while reflecting on their Rice School experience. After each session, participants take commemorative photos holding the same amount of rice seedlings or rice stalks as the rice delivered to their homes. By comparing the new rice delivered in autumn with the rice in the photos, participants can feel the growth of the rice and the importance of each grain.
4. Learn About Rice Paddy Conditions and Rice Knowledge Before and After the Experience
RISONARE Nasu's official Instagram regularly introduces the current condition of the property's rice paddies. By learning rice knowledge that cannot be explained during Rice School, such as rice paddy preparation before planting and rice flowers, guests can continue learning before and after their trip. Through Instagram, participants can see how much their planted rice has grown and the current state of the rice they will harvest.
Rice School History
As of the end of 2025, a cumulative total of 1,106 guests have experienced Rice School. In 2024, rice harvest exceeded 2,000 kg, and on April 22, 2025, the resort began offering it at the on-site restaurant, fulfilling a long-held goal since opening. At the buffet restaurant "SHAKI SHAKI," RISONARE Nasu-grown rice is now served year-round. RISONARE Nasu guests can always enjoy "Agri Garden Rice" harvested at the property for dinner and breakfast.
Rice School Overview
Dates: Session 1 "Seeding": April 12, 2026
Session 2 "Rice Planting": May 1 to 6, 2026
Session 3 "Weeding": June 13 to 14, 2026
Session 4 "Harvesting/Threshing": October 3, 4, 10, 11, 2026
Fee: 4,000 yen per session (for ages 4 and up, tax included)
Includes: Rice farming experience, hagama rice cooking experience, hagama-cooked rice ball making, new rice delivery
Reservations: Required by 5:00 PM the day before via official website (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonarenasu/)
Capacity: 20 people per session
Eligibility: Hotel guests
Notes: Cancelled in bad weather; content may change due to natural disasters or climate conditions
Rice School Experience Schedule
7:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Rice farming experience
9:40 AM Hagama rice cooking experience
10:10 AM Rice ball making
10:45 AM Experience ends
12:00 PM Checkout
Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu
Japan's first "agritourism resort" where guests can experience agricultural activities in Nasu's abundant nature. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the resort proposes a new travel style that enjoys seasonal changes and agricultural and natural experiences unique to the region.
Location: 2301 Takakuotsu Michishita, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 325-0303
Phone: 050-3134-8093 (RISONARE Reservation Center)
Rooms: 43 rooms
Rates: From 24,000 yen per night (per person, double occupancy, tax included, breakfast included)
Access:
[By Car] Approximately 20 minutes by car from Nasu I.C. on Tohoku Expressway
[By Train] Approximately 35 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Tohoku Shinkansen Nasushiobara Station
Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonarenasu/
Official Instagram: @risonarenasu
RISONARE
RISONARE is a resort hotel brand that Hoshino Resorts operates domestically and internationally. The concept is "PLAY HARD" - enjoying to the fullest. Through space design that leverages regional characteristics, abundant activities, and experiences unique to the area and season, the brand provides stays that exceed expectations and memorable journeys. Currently operating eight properties domestically and internationally, with "RISONARE Fukui" scheduled to open in 2027.
Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/brands/risonare/
Official Instagram: @hoshinoresorts.risonare
