[10] Omi-Hino Cultural Exchange Network (Hino Town) / Farm Stay in a Small Rural Town

Farm Stay in a Small Rural Town

Connect with Nature, Culture, & Hino’s Warm Spirit 

Omi-Hino Cultural Exchange Network (Hino Town) 

Keywords: nature / kids-fun / local food

Season: All year

English Assistance: Minimal or partial

Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui, Gifu, Mie, and Kyoto in central Japan. In the middle of Shiga lies Lake Biwa, which has shaped a way of life deeply connected to the water. The local landscapes range from fertile plains to mountain ranges, with cultural influences from neighboring regions further enriching its unique history and identity.

Hino Town, a small rural community of about 20,000 people, lies inland from Lake Biwa in the southeast of Shiga, surrounded by farmlands at the edge of the Suzuka Mountains, which connect the town to Mie Prefecture and the Pacific Ocean. This favorable location and its abundant resources have allowed Hino to flourish since ancient times.

The town’s rich environment nurtured the Omi Hino Merchants, a group within the Omi Merchants who thrived during Japan’s Edo period. Like other Omi Merchants, they expanded their trade nationwide, earning a reputation for ethical business practices and contributions to the communities they served, both in Hino and beyond. Their spirit remains central to Hino’s identity today.

Hino Merchants’ sake brewery in Saitama (photo: Hino Town)

This spirit is reflected in farm stay programs, where visitors are welcomed into local homes to share meals, daily life, and meaningful connections. These stays offer a glimpse into rural Japan, fostering an appreciation for a lifestyle rooted in nature, community, and tradition.

Hino Town, located in southeastern Shiga Prefecture, is a small rural area spanning 15 km east to west and 12 km north to south. About an hour’s drive from Kyoto and southeast of Lake Biwa, it is surrounded by nature, with the sacred Mt. Watamuki, a 1,110-meter peak in the Suzuka Mountain Range, standing to the east. Known for its seasonal beauty and long history as a site of worship, the mountain is a symbol of the town and a key part of its natural and cultural heritage.

In this charming, close-knit community, visitors can enjoy farm stay programs, known as nohaku. These programs offer a chance to experience rural life, connecting with local food, nature, culture, and traditions while fostering a sense of community. They are especially popular as educational trips for children from urban areas. While farm stays are available in several parts of Shiga, Hino Town is notable for its long history of hosting such programs. Stays typically last one or two nights and include homestays paired with seasonal activities like farming, harvesting vegetables, or helping with household tasks. Guests share daily life with local families, gaining a deeper appreciation of the area’s unique lifestyle and culture.

One such host is the Fujisawa family. Their home sits in a quiet village surrounded by rice fields, a short distance from the town center, toward Mt. Watamuki. Here, seasonal farming activities are offered, and on rainy days, guests can try their hand at making detchi yokan (a traditional sweet linked to the legacy of the Omi Hino Merchants), crafting bamboo toys, or engaging in other creative activities. Fujisawa-san tailors each experience to ensure guests enjoy their stay.

A highlight of the program is meal preparation with the family. Freshly harvested vegetables are used to cook dishes like nikujaga (stewed meat and potatoes) and other home-style meals. Guests may also enjoy local dishes such as tai-somen (noodles with seabream), reflecting the region’s link to the Pacific Ocean. Meals provide not only tasty nourishment but also a chance for direct experience of the area’s food culture.

For city children, even simple activities like pulling vegetables from the soil can be eye-opening. Participating in every step of meal preparation often encourages them to try and enjoy foods they might usually avoid. The Fujisawas treat visiting children like part of their own family, creating an atmosphere of warmth and connection. Students often call them ”Grandpa” and ”Grandma,” and many guests feel like they’ve gained a new family by the time they leave, with some returning years later to visit again.

The farm stay program in Hino Town primarily focuses on group participation, with multiple host families collaborating to welcome guests, including those from overseas. Each family may host up to four people, making the program ideal for school education, cultural exchange, or corporate training. Through shared experiences, participants have the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the town’s warm and close-knit community.

For international visitors, the program offers cultural activities such as calligraphy, trying on yukata (casual

summer kimono), or enjoying fireworks. While communication in English often relies on gestures and translation apps, the moments of mutual understanding bring a unique sense of accomplishment. These connections create unforgettable memories for both guests and hosts alike.

Hino also appeals to history enthusiasts as a once flourishing castle town during Japan’s medieval period, and then later as the home of the Omi Hino Merchants. Today, visitors can explore the grand residences of these historic merchants, now preserved as museums, offering a deeper understanding of the town’s rich historical legacy. The area also provides opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the natural surroundings, adding variety to the experience.

Hino Festival held every May (photo: Hino Tourist Assoc.)

Beyond Fujisawa-san’s program, other host families offer diverse farm stay experiences, including cultivating local vegetables and learning traditional cooking. Each host family brings its own unique character, providing guests with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with nature, culture, and the warmth of the Hino community.

The farm stay program in Hino Town began as a community revitalization initiative, primarily focused on educational trips for elementary and middle school students from urban areas across Japan. It gained momentum in 2009 when a school in Osaka sought to bring 160 students to the town. This request kickstarted the program, requiring at least 40 host families, a significant challenge for both organizers and the community.

Despite initial challenges, the program received positive feedback from both students and host families, fueling its growth. Over time, the number of international guests from countries such as the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and various European nations has also continued to grow, joining through cultural exchange and government programs. To ensure a safe and enriching experience, the operating organization, the Omi-Hino Cultural Exchange Network, provides host families with regular training, including emergency first aid, offering peace of mind for all participants.

Hino Town is said to embody a ”spirit of innovation,” reflecting openness to new ideas and experiences. This attitude extends to hosting international guests, with locals often relying on gestures and creative ways to communicate. This openness may stem from the region’s merchant heritage, where sharing information was vital.

In addition to the Sanpo Yoshi philosophy—“good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society”—embraced by all Omi Merchants, Omi Hino Merchants emphasized intoku zenji, performing good deeds discreetly without seeking recognition. This legacy fosters a spirit of generosity in Hino, where host families value personal connections as opportunities for mutual growth and cultural exchange. These experiences broaden perspectives and bring fulfillment, which they aim to share with their community and visitors alike.

One key figure in the program, introduced earlier as a host, is Fujisawa-san, who has been involved since its inception and also serves as the program’s director. Since 2009, he has hosted approximately 900 students. Fujisawa-san takes pride in offering experiences unavailable in cities and strongly believes in the program’s educational value.

While rural life has its inconveniences, it also offers a unique kind of richness. Children who arrive dependent on smartphones often leave with a newfound appreciation for life beyond technology. Through hands-on experiences, they discover that life without screens is not only possible but also fulfilling, helping them focus on what truly matters. Fujisawa-san hopes that through these experiences, guests will come to appreciate the richness of rural life in Hino and find beauty in the simplicity of everyday living.

Please book directly through the provider

Name of Provider
Omi-Hino Cultural Exchange Network

Contact
https://www.omi-hino.jp/inbound/english.html (EN)
[email protected]

Activities & Pricing
IMPORTANT: This program is not a typical accommodation. Guests will experience daily life with a host family, including meal preparation and household tasks, partaking in local culture and authentic Japanese family life.

Accommodation Fee: Varies by request
●Capacity: Up to 4 guests per family
●Stay: Limited to 1 night (includes dinner and breakfast, and a half-day family business experience)

Meals (prepared with a host family)
●The meals are prepared together with your host, shared around the table, and tidied up together. The menu features local homemade dishes and can be adjusted for allergies or dietary restrictions. While halal options are not available, Muslim-friendly meals may be accommodated.

Other Notes
●Bathroom, toilet, and other facilities are shared with the host family. Floor futons are common, though bedding type varies by household.

Reservation
●For individual inquiries, please apply through a travel agency with Japanese support.
●Inquiries from travel agencies are welcome via the contact above.?Host families will be arranged based on guest information, including group size, age, dietary restrictions, and other details.

Business Hours & Holidays
Scheduling is more flexible in Jul, Aug, Nov, and Dec. Other periods often coincide with domestic educational trip seasons, so please consult your travel agent to help with inquiries.

Check-in / out
Depends on itinerary

Location
Within Hino Town (details will be available upon confirming arrangements).

Payment Method
Through a travel agent

Age Requirements
None

Support for Foreign Visitors
●Foreign language speakers: No
●Communication may be via translation devices or apps

Insurance
Included

Wi-Fi Access
N/A

Disabled Accessibility
N/A

Access
To Hino Town
Accessible by train from Kyoto or Maibara using the JR Biwako Line and the Omi Railway. By vehicle, about 1 hour from either Kyoto Station or Maibara Station. The specific homestay address will be available once arrangements are finalized.

Ride Service
Pickup from the nearest station is available with advance notice. Please bring a child seat for young children or use public transport.