Ikaho Green Ranch is a popular tourist farm in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, located in a beautiful natural setting at the foot of Mount Haruna. Opened in October 1970, the ranch has become one of the best-known attractions in the area around Ikaho Onsen.
More than 300 animals, including sheep, horses, ponies, goats, rabbits, and sheepdogs, live across the ranch’s spacious green pastures. Visitors can interact with the animals and take part in a variety of hands-on programs. An art museum is also located nearby, making the area an appealing destination where visitors can combine nature, animals, culture, and art.
One of the biggest attractions of Ikaho Green Ranch is the opportunity to interact directly with animals. The animals roam in a spacious environment and many are accustomed to people, creating enjoyable encounters for visitors of all ages.
Visitors can feed and touch sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals. These experiences offer a chance to appreciate the warmth of living creatures and learn about the importance of caring for animals.
For children in particular, the ranch provides a valuable opportunity to learn about animals and farm life through direct experience rather than simply observing them from a distance.
Sheep and goats: Friendly animals that can be enjoyed through walking and feeding experiences.
Horses and ponies: Visitors can enjoy horseback riding and pony rides.
Rabbits and guinea pigs: Hands-on activities allow visitors to gently hold and interact with these small animals.
Sheepdogs: Intelligent working dogs that demonstrate their skills during the sheepdog show.
Alpacas: Their soft, fluffy appearance makes them a popular attraction among visitors.
One of the ranch’s signature attractions is its sheepdog show. Visitors can watch highly trained sheepdogs skillfully guide a flock of sheep across the large pasture.
The energetic performance has an atmosphere reminiscent of a working farm in New Zealand. Watching the dogs respond to commands and work together with the sheep provides an impressive demonstration of their intelligence and training.
The ranch also offers activities that make use of fresh agricultural products. Popular programs include butter-making and ice cream-making experiences.
Making butter from fresh milk is an enjoyable activity for both children and adults and provides a hands-on introduction to how dairy products are made. It is also an engaging way to learn about food production while enjoying the atmosphere of a working ranch.
Visitors can enjoy horseback riding while taking in the ranch’s scenery. Pony rides are also available for younger children, making it possible for even small visitors to enjoy an encounter with horses.
For a more relaxed experience, horse-drawn carriage rides offer a leisurely way to travel around the ranch while taking in the peaceful rural scenery.
Ikaho Green Ranch offers more than animal experiences. The grounds include a spacious grassy area where visitors can spread out a picnic sheet and enjoy a meal outdoors.
Activities such as archery and putting golf provide additional entertainment for both children and adults.
There is also a children’s amusement area with playground equipment designed for younger visitors. With so many activities available, families can easily spend several hours or even a full day at the ranch.
One of the treats visitors should not miss is the ranch’s popular soft-serve ice cream. Made with fresh milk, it is known for its rich and creamy flavor and has become one of the ranch’s signature foods.
The ranch also has restaurants and cafés where visitors can enjoy dishes such as hamburgers and barbecue. Eating outdoors under the open sky while surrounded by greenery adds to the relaxed farm experience.
Located immediately next to Ikaho Green Ranch is Hara Museum ARC, an art museum where visitors can enjoy contemporary art and East Asian antiques.
The collection includes works by contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Yoshitomo Nara, as well as artworks designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
The museum’s spacious grounds also feature outdoor artworks, allowing visitors to enjoy art while walking through the surrounding landscape. The combination of the ranch and museum makes it possible to experience both nature and art in the same area.
In spring, approximately 1,500 cherry trees come into bloom across the ranch, creating an impressive landscape. The spectacular view is sometimes known as “Haruna Unkai-zakura,” or “Haruna Sea of Clouds Cherry Blossoms,” and attracts many visitors during the flowering season.
Visitors can enjoy picnics beneath the cherry trees, making the ranch a pleasant spring destination for families with young children as well.
Spring is also the season when many baby animals, including lambs and young goats, are born. Seeing these newborn animals adds another special attraction to a spring visit.
Ikaho Green Ranch is a spacious tourist farm surrounded by the natural beauty of Mount Haruna, offering a wide range of experiences including animal encounters, hands-on activities, outdoor recreation, and farm food.
Its convenient location near Ikaho Onsen makes it easy to combine a visit to the ranch with a hot spring getaway. Whether traveling with family, as a couple, or with friends, visitors can enjoy a relaxed day surrounded by animals, greenery, and the open countryside.
For travelers looking for an interactive experience beyond the traditional sightseeing attractions of Ikaho, Ikaho Green Ranch offers an enjoyable way to experience the area’s nature, farm culture, and local character.