Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu is running the "Dairy Farming Academy: Summer Vacation Independent Study" from July 20 to August 31, 2026. The program takes families through the complete Farm to Table journey — from producing dairy on-site to sharing a meal together — all within the resort grounds.
Background
RISONARE Tomamu operates an agricultural project called "Farm Hoshino," where around 50 cows currently graze freely on the resort's land. The resort processes and serves fresh milk produced on-site as part of a resource-circulation model. This program brings that cycle to life for guests: from milking and cheese-making to enjoying the food together as a family, participants can experience a genuine Farm to Table story without leaving the resort.
4 Steps of the Dairy Farming Academy
Step 1: Pre-Lecture from Farm Hoshino Staff
In the expansive farm area, where grassland stretches as far as the eye can see and around 50 cows roam freely, staff from Farm Hoshino lead an introductory lecture. Topics include the breeds and daily lives of the cows, a "secret" hidden in the belly of a calf, and how the dairy products produced here connect to the food and activities throughout the resort. Participants can observe the grazing cows up close and feel their warmth and presence firsthand.
Step 2: Outdoor Learning — Cattle Drive and Milking
Participants join a "cattle drive," moving the cows from the pasture to the barn — encouraging them with their voices and working out how to guide the animals. After the drive, everyone gets a chance to try milking in the barn, with Farm Hoshino staff sharing details about each cow's personality and physiology along the way.
Step 3: Mozzarella Cheese Making — "Processing" and "Sharing" (New)
Building on what was learned in Step 1, participants recreate the process with their own hands. After watching Tomamu milk* transform from liquid to solid during the cheese-making process, guests knead and stretch the curd** repeatedly before shaping it into finished mozzarella. The cheese is then topped onto a pizza, and the whole family sits down to enjoy it together — a hands-on experience of "processing raw ingredients and sharing the result."
*Fresh milk from Farm Hoshino's grazing cows, pasteurized for use.
**The base ingredient of all cheese — milk protein that has been solidified.
Step 4: Dairy Worksheet — Compile Your Findings into a Summer Independent Study Project (Power Up)
Everything discovered and learned during the outdoor activities and cheese-making is recorded in a "Dairy Worksheet." Participants write freely about the cows they met, each animal's personality, what they noticed during cheese-making, and how it felt to share the meal with family. After reviewing illustrations of cows and the cheese-making process and organizing their reflections, the summer vacation independent study project is complete.
About Farm Hoshino
Farm Hoshino is Hoshino Resorts' agricultural project built on the concept of "travel × agriculture." It focuses on growing produce, creating beautiful landscapes, and pursuing great-tasting food. The area where RISONARE Tomamu now stands once supported a dairy farm of around 700 cows. The project aims to restore that pastoral beauty — returning waste from the resort to the soil as compost and working in harmony with natural cycles. Guests can enjoy the Hokkaido scenery shaped by cows grazing leisurely, and taste the good things that come from this land.
Details: Farm Hoshino Overview
Video: https://youtu.be/6geeVfGZG2o
Sample Stay Schedule
Day 1
- 3:00 PM: Check-in
- 4:00 PM: Explore the farm area
Day 2
- 5:30 AM: Gather at GAO Outdoor Center; pre-lecture
- 6:00 AM: Cattle drive experience at the farm area
- 6:30 AM: Milking experience at the barn
- 1:00 PM: Cheese-making at Forest Restaurant "Nininupuri"
- 1:30 PM: Top a pizza with the freshly made cheese
- 2:00 PM: Enjoy the finished pizza
Day 3
- 5:00 AM: Cloud Sea Terrace — views of the sea of clouds
- 6:00 AM: Breakfast at Forest Restaurant "Nininupuri"; taste Tomamu milk
- 8:00 AM: Compile discoveries and learnings in the Dairy Worksheet
- 11:00 AM: Check-out
Program Details
| Period | July 20 – August 31, 2026 (check-in by the last day) |
| Price | Adults: ¥86,400 / Elementary school students: ¥68,280 (per person, based on 4 guests per room; tax and service included; lodging tax separate) |
| Inclusions | 2-night, 3-day stay at RISONARE Tomamu; breakfast (priority seating); Dairy Worksheet; outdoor learning (lecture, cattle drive, milking, feeding); pizza-making experience; original apron rental |
| Venue | Hoshino Resort Tomamu Farm Area, Forest Restaurant "Nininupuri," and more |
| Capacity | Up to 2 families (max 2 children per family; minimum 1 child required) |
| Reservations | Via official website (https://www.snowtomamu.jp) up to 10 days before check-in |
| Recommended Age | 10–12 years old |
Notes:
- Guests who have traveled outside Japan within 7 days prior to check-in, or foreign residents who have not been in Japan for at least 7 days before check-in, are not eligible to participate due to animal health regulations.
- Activities may be cancelled if animals are unwell on the day.
- The cattle drive and milking are open to the target age group only (one adult must accompany each child).
- All program content is provided in Japanese only.
- Activities may be modified or partially cancelled due to weather conditions.
About RISONARE Tomamu
Perched on a hilltop surrounded by a coniferous forest, RISONARE Tomamu is a resort hotel where every room is a suite of over 100 m², complete with a panoramic jet bath and private sauna. With the concept of "a graceful stay where you feel the Hokkaido land," the resort offers natural scenery, local cuisine, and a wide variety of activities unique to this part of Hokkaido.
| Address | Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido 079-2204 |
| Phone | 0167-58-1111 |
| Rooms | 200 |
| Check-in / Check-out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Rates | From ¥26,100/person (2 guests per room, incl. breakfast, tax and service) |
| Access | Approx. 100 min by car from New Chitose Airport; approx. 90 min by JR (transfer required; free shuttle from Tomamu Station, no reservation needed) |
| URL | https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonaretomamu/ |
