Farm & Harvest
Autumn Farms, Animal Encounters, and Fruit Picking With Kids in Japan
Hotels with farm activities and animal encounters, plus the areas that make the best base for fruit picking and harvest days, from Hokkaido to Kyushu
20 areas ยท 865 hotels (total listings across these areas)
Autumn is the easiest season of the year to be on a farm or in a field with children. Grapes and apples, pears, chestnuts, sweet potatoes. Fruit picking and harvest experiences stick in a child's memory precisely because even a toddler can pull something off the vine and eat it. On farms, the cooler air makes feeding the animals and horseback riding far easier to join, and zoos and petting facilities are comfortable to walk around.
This collection lists the areas where hotels with farm and agriculture activities or animal encounters are clustered, along with the areas that work well as a base for fruit picking and harvest days. On each area page you can narrow the list by features such as farm and agriculture experiences, animal encounters, and kids' programs and activities. When the activity is on the hotel grounds or within walking distance, even small children can join without the strain of getting there.
Harvest timing varies by crop and region and shifts with the weather. Before you set out, check the latest information from each facility and hotel for whether fruit picking is running, and for the ages and reservation requirements of a farm's activity programs.
Features to look for in this collection
The Kanto and Koshin highlands (a drive from Tokyo to go fruit picking)
Highlands and farms close to grape, apple, and pear country.
Nasu Kogen
A highland with farms, zoos, and hands-on attractions clustered together, including hotels where you can meet animals on the grounds
Yatsugatake
The farms of the Kiyosato highlands and fruit picking nearby, with a high chance of clear skies
Kita-Karuizawa
Farms and animal encounters at the foot of Mount Asama
Karuizawa
Farm activities right by town, timed with apple season
the Fuji Five Lakes
Farms and animal encounters at the base of Mount Fuji. An easy drive from the Tokyo area
Minami-Boso
The mild Boso region. Many hotels with farm activities and animal encounters, plus autumn flavors
Tochigi
Search the prefecture's farm and animal-encounter hotels together
Gunma
Search the prefecture's farm and animal-encounter hotels together
Chiba
Search the prefecture's farm and animal-encounter hotels together
Nagano
Apple and grape country. Search the prefecture's farm and activity hotels together
Hokkaido and Tohoku (autumn farms and the harvest)
Farms in the cool of autumn. The season for potatoes, corn, and apples.
Furano
Sweeping hills and hotels with farm activities
Niseko
Large resorts and hotels with farm activities and animal encounters
Asahikawa
The city known for its zoo. Autumn brings comfortable walking weather
Urabandai & Inawashiro
Hotels around Urabandai and Inawashiro where you can try farm activities
Hokkaido
Search farm and animal-encounter hotels across all of Hokkaido together
Chubu, Kansai, and Kyushu
Hotels with farms and animal encounters are scattered through the hot-spring areas and highlands.
Kyoto
Search the prefecture's farm and animal-encounter hotels together
Mie
Search the prefecture's farm and activity hotels together
Aso
Hotels with farm activities on the grasslands of the outer crater rim. Autumn in Aso is beautifully comfortable
Kumamoto
Search the prefecture's farm and animal-encounter hotels together
Okinawa
Resorts on the main island with animal encounters. The heat eases off in autumn
Tips for traveling with kids
- checkHarvest timing differs by crop. Figure on grapes and pears in September, and apples, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes from September through November. Check with the facility for the latest on what is running
- checkFeeding the animals and horseback riding on a farm often have set age limits or require a reservation. Check the hotel's kids' program information when you book
- checkAn activity on the hotel grounds or within walking distance cuts the travel strain and makes it much easier to join with a baby or toddler
- checkWash hands and change clothes after being around the animals. Baby carriers and stroller fabric get dirty easily too
- checkAutumn highlands are chilly morning and evening. Bring an extra layer and schedule outdoor activities for the middle of the day
Recommended hotels in this collection (40)
Selected automatically from the top-ranked hotels in each area.
Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands Resort & Spa
Hotel Epinard Nasu
Kids Pension Maple
Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa
Hotel Green Plaza Karuizawa
Karuizawa Club Hotel Karuizawa 1130 / Hewitt Resort
Dormy Club Karuizawa
Karuizawa Prince Hotel West
Mars Garden Wood Gotemba
Fujilake Hotel
See all hotels in this collection (40)expand_more
- Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands Resort & Spa
- Hotel Epinard Nasu
- Kids Pension Maple
- Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa
- Hotel Green Plaza Karuizawa
- Karuizawa Club Hotel Karuizawa 1130 / Hewitt Resort
- Dormy Club Karuizawa
- Karuizawa Prince Hotel West
- Mars Garden Wood Gotemba
- Fujilake Hotel
- Grand Mercure Minamiboso Resort & Spa
- Kamogawa Grand Hotel
- Kinugawa Onsen Hotel
- Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu
- Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Matsunoi
- Hotel Matsumotoro
- Kameyama Onsen Hotel
- Kisui no Yado Monya
- Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Hotel
- Hotel Cypress Karuizawa
- Hotel Naturwald Furano
- Chalet Fuyuri Furano
- Ki Niseko
- Setsu Niseko
- Asahikawa Takasago Onsen
- Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa
- Hotel Listel Inawashiro Wing Tower
- Bandai Atami Onsen Hotel Hananoyu
- Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace
- Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo
- The GrandWest Arashiyama
- Mercure Kyoto Miyazu Resort & Spa
- Todaya
- Toba View Hotel Hanashinju
- La Vista Minamiaso
- Kamenoi Hotel Aso Park Resort
- Kurokawa Onsen Yumerindo Hanadomari
- Kurokawa Onsen Kurokawaso
- Fukugi Terrace
- Vessel Hotel Campana Okinawa
Frequently Asked Questions
From what age can children enjoy fruit picking?
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For fruit that hangs within reach, such as grapes, apples, and strawberries, children can join in alongside an adult from about age 1 or 2, once they are walking. Digging sweet potatoes is a favorite with preschoolers. Age limits and pricing differ by facility, so check before you go.
How do we find hotels with farm activities?
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On this site you can narrow hotels down by conditions such as farm and agriculture experiences, animal encounters, and kids' programs and activities. Some hotels run the activity on their own grounds, while others partner with a nearby farm, so check both the hotel page and the hotel's own latest information for what is on offer.
How late in autumn can we do harvest activities?
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It depends on the crop and the region, but grapes and pears generally run through September, and apples, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes from September through November. The weather shifts these dates, so check with each facility for what is running before you set out.
Can we enjoy a farm with a baby?
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Simply looking at the animals is plenty of fun. A baby carrier lets you control how close you get, and choosing a farm with an indoor spot to rest and a nursing room makes the day easier. At a hotel with animals on its own grounds, the trip back to your room is short, which lightens the load considerably.
What should we watch out for after a farm visit or fruit picking?
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Wash hands and change clothes before moving on to meals or the bath. Watch that children don't overeat while fruit picking, and check ahead if anyone has allergies. A private bath or a bath in the guest room, so you can warm up as soon as you are back, handles the chill of an autumn evening nicely.