Asabara Experience Village is a tourism and agricultural experience facility located in Asabara, Ōmama Town, Midori City, Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by a rich natural environment, the facility promotes interaction between urban and rural communities through a variety of hands-on activities, including growing vegetables and fruit, making soba noodles, and staying in cottages.
The site was originally developed as a comprehensive agricultural park and continues to serve as a base for local community development and rural tourism.
Asabara Experience Village was established in 1996 as a third-sector facility funded by the former Ōmama Town, the local agricultural cooperative, and residents of the community.
Its purpose was to encourage interaction between people from urban areas and local residents through agricultural experiences while contributing to the revitalization of the community.
Today, the facility continues to be operated by a designated management organization and maintains a welcoming atmosphere rooted in the local community.
The facility’s restaurant, Midori-no-Yakata, serves traditional handmade country-style soba prepared with buckwheat flour carefully ground using a stone mill.
The buckwheat grains are ground with their husks intact, producing noodles with a rich aroma and distinctive flavor. Every stage of the noodle-making process, from kneading and rolling to cutting, is carried out by hand using the skills and experience of local craftsmen.
The dipping sauce is also prepared carefully using selected ingredients and a traditional process that takes time and attention.
The soba can be enjoyed with freshly fried tempura made with seasonal local vegetables. The combination of fragrant handmade noodles and local ingredients is one of the highlights of a visit, while the reasonable prices make authentic local food accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Asabara Experience Village offers a soba-making experience by advance reservation. Participants can experience the entire process, beginning with adding water to the buckwheat flour and kneading the dough, followed by rolling and cutting the noodles.
The experience takes approximately 60 minutes. Afterward, staff can cook the soba made by participants so that they can enjoy their handmade noodles at the restaurant.
The facility also offers a “Soba Owner” program as part of its green tourism activities. Participants can experience the complete process of growing buckwheat, harvesting it, and eventually making soba noodles. It provides a deeper understanding of agriculture and the work behind this traditional Japanese food.
The rental farm plots are available throughout the year. Each plot measures approximately 40 square meters and can be rented for an annual fee of ¥8,000.
Farming tools and equipment such as cultivators are available, making the plots suitable even for beginners. The land has good drainage and plenty of sunlight, providing a pleasant environment in which to grow vegetables and fruit.
Working the soil, caring for crops, and eventually harvesting what you have grown offers a hands-on way to connect with nature and experience the satisfaction of farming.
The reservation-only barbecue area is another popular facility. One section can accommodate approximately five to six people and costs ¥1,570 for up to two hours.
Charcoal, a grill plate, and tongs are provided, while visitors bring their own food and seasonings. It is a relaxing way for families and friends to enjoy a meal together surrounded by nature.
After 5:00 p.m., the barbecue area is available exclusively to guests staying in the cottages.
Five cottages are available within the grounds, with different sizes to accommodate families and groups.
Cosmos, Sakura, and Sazanka can accommodate up to six people each.
Himawari can accommodate up to ten people.
Ajisai can accommodate up to twelve people.
Staying in these cottages provides an opportunity to relax in a peaceful natural setting and is well suited to family trips and group stays.
Midori-no-Yakata: Administration building and restaurant.
Tsudoi-no-Yakata: Facility for soba-making experiences.
Barbecue building: A reservation-based outdoor barbecue facility.
Rental farms and greenhouses: Spaces for growing vegetables and other crops.
Play equipment: Includes a wooden suspension bridge and other facilities.
Azumaya: A traditional open-sided rest pavilion.
Parking area: During events, areas may also be set up for activities such as pickleball and Mölkky.
Asabara Experience Village is approximately an 11-minute drive from Ōmama Station on the Watarase Keikoku Railway.
It is approximately a 14-minute drive from Akagi Station on the Tōbu Kiryū Line and Jōmō Electric Railway.
Visitors can also use Midori City’s “Telephone Bus” service and get off at the Asabara Experience Village stop.
Asabara Experience Village brings together agricultural activities, soba-making, accommodation, and local food, allowing visitors to experience the appeal of both nature and rural Japanese culture.
From growing crops and making food to enjoying the finished meal and staying in the countryside, the facility offers opportunities to experience the joy of growing, the fun of creating, and the pleasure of tasting.
For visitors exploring Midori City, Asabara Experience Village offers a relaxed and hands-on way to experience the area’s natural environment, agricultural traditions, and food culture.