Cheers in the Hop Fields!! Shirataka Summer Immersion Experience Tour

Yamagata Arcadia Tourism Bureau (Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture), in cooperation with Shirataka Multi-Work Business Cooperative "Takamaru," will hold the "Cheers in the Hop Fields!! Shirataka Summer Immersion Experience Tour" for two days and one night from July 25 (Sat) to July 26 (Sun), Reiwa 8 (2026). This tour is aimed at residents outside Shirataka Town who are interested in moving to or engaging with the community.

This tour offers an experience of "traveling as if living," which cannot be enjoyed as a tourist, through activities such as hop picking unique to Shirataka Town in summer, exchange meetings with local residents, tomato harvesting, hot springs, and exploring the region.

Tour Details & Application

A 2-Day Experience of "Living"

Spring: Kama no Koshi Cherry Blossoms Summer: Benibana Picking Autumn: Ayu Caught on Yanagida Winter: Hidden Soba Noodles

Shirataka Town is a town rich in nature, with the Mogami River flowing through its center, and the Asahi Mountain Range to the west and the Shirataka Hills to the east. It is known as a region of cherry blossoms in spring, benibana (safflower) in summer, ayu (sweetfish) in autumn, and hidden soba noodle shops in winter, with people's lives breathing in sync with the seasonal scenery.

Asahi Mountain Range seen from the Great Benibana Field

The purpose of this tour is not to make a decision about moving, but "to get to know Shirataka Town first."

Sweating in the hop fields, sharing meals with local people, relaxing in the hot springs, walking through the villages—.

Through these casual moments, you will be able to feel the daily life and human connections of Shirataka Town.

Tour Highlights

Hop farmer Kenjiro Tsuchiya

Hop Picking Experience & Hop Field Lunch

Experience harvesting hops cultivated in Shirataka Town.

The guide will be hop farmer Kenjiro Tsuchiya.

After harvesting, enjoy lunch with local residents near the hop fields and fully experience the unique summer scenery of Shirataka Town.

Scene from the exchange meeting

Exchange Meeting with Local Residents

An exchange meeting with local residents will be held on the evening of the first day.

You can hear real stories about daily life, work, and how to get involved in the community, which you cannot learn from relocation pamphlets alone.

Refreshing scenery of the Nakayama district

Nakayama District Town Walk

Stroll through the Nakayama district, which spreads out in the mountains, and experience the daily scenery and rural life of the area.

Akemi Tsuchiya of "Yasai Batake i-make"

Tomato Harvesting Experience

Harvest tomatoes in the greenhouse of Akemi Tsuchiya of "Yasai Batake i-make."

You can also hear about the charms of Shirataka Town as felt by someone who has relocated here.

Takano-yu Onsen Palace Shofu

Hot Springs & Shopping

You can also experience how to enjoy Shirataka Town like a holiday by visiting hot springs and local select shops.

Community Exchange Hub Takamaru HOUSE

Overnight Stay in a House

You can stay at the community exchange hub, Takamaru HOUSE. Within a 10-minute walk from the accommodation, there are supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, etc.

Event Overview

Application deadline is July 9!

Tour Name

Cheers in the Hop Fields!! Shirataka Summer Immersion Experience Tour

Tour Dates

July 25 (Sat) - July 26 (Sun), Reiwa 8 (2026) - 1 night, 2 days

Target Audience

Those living outside Shirataka Town who are interested in relocation and community engagement.

Number of Participants

6 people (minimum 4 participants required)

Tour Price

15,000 yen (tax included)

*Includes accommodation, experience fees, meals (3 meals), and insurance. *Transportation costs to the venue are not included.

Application Deadline

Until July 9 (Thu), Reiwa 8 (2026)

Originator/Organizer

Shirataka Multi-Work Business Cooperative "Takamaru"

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: July 25, 2026 (Sat)

Time

Itinerary (Content)

10:00

Meet at Ayugai Station

10:30 - 14:00

Hop picking experience, lunch party

15:00

Arrive at accommodation

16:00

Arrive at hot springs

17:00

Shopping

18:00 onwards

Exchange meeting

Day 2: July 26, 2026 (Sun)

Time

Itinerary (Content)

8:15

Departure

8:30 - 9:30

Nakayama walk

9:30

Tomato harvesting and exchange meeting at Yasai Batake i-make

12:00

Lunch (Yamagata-style Dashigohan)

13:30 - 15:00

Shopping

15:30

Disband at Arahito Station

Organizer/Tour Planning

Connecting People, Work, and Mountains/Rivers - Shirataka Multi-Work Business Cooperative "Takamaru"

[Organizer] Shirataka Multi-Work Business Cooperative "Takamaru"

[Tour Planning/Execution] Please contact the person in charge below for inquiries. Yamagata Arcadia Tourism Bureau

2-50 Higashi-cho, Nagai City, Yamagata 993-0003 TEL: 0238-88-1831 FAX: 0238-88-1812 Email: info@arcadia-kanko.jp URL: https://tour.arcadia-kanko.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event