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Situated at the foot of Mt. Iwate, the area occupied by the
Koiwai Farm so impressed the renowned novelist Miyazawa Kenji
that he wrote that this vast verdant landscape under star-filled
skies was a "miracle." Visitors who gaze up at the
sky from the Koiwai Farm will feel the vast scale of nature
and the smallness of man. This idyllic pastoral setting with
cows and sheep moving about looks like a scene from another
land. The peaceful sight of sheepdogs running about and the
sunlight shining on Mt. Iwate is a soul-cleansing experience
for visitors.
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Snow-covered
Mt. Iwate as seen from the Koiwai Farm
View
of Makiba Park with Mt. Iwate in the distance
Sheepdogs
chase sheep at the "Sheep and Dog Show" |
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The
sight of sheep lined up in neat rows will charm visitors
Veteran
sheepdog "Mary" is a border collie
Koiwai
Farm cheeses and special cheesecake tart are sold exclusively
on the premises. Since the Camembert cheese is not heated after
processing, the taste changes from day to day as the cheese
matures. |
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There is an area called "Makiba Park" where visitors
can experience farm life. They can try their hand at milking
cows, creating dolls and dyeing cloth made from wool, or churning
butter as well as go on walking tours of the farm. From late
April to early November, a sheep and dog show is held with performances
by sheepdogs and sheep. At this event, visitors can view the
sheepdogs and shepherds herding the sheep into their pens. Another
enjoyable activity is riding on the horse-drawn trolley car
as it passes through the pastures and woods where the sheep
are gathered. This vehicle is patterned after the horse-drawn
carriage that ran for 50 years at Koiwai from 1904. Visitors
will feel as though they have suddenly slipped back into a more
nostalgic era.
The delicious dairy products made at the farm are one of most
popular features here. There are a variety of cheeses, rich
soft ice cream and other dairy products for sale and the mouth-watering
Genghis Khan barbecue is a popular menu item. Visitors can enjoy
dining on the delicious farm-baked bread made with beef, eggs
and plenty of butter and drink as much milk as they want at
the "Makiba Viking" buffet.
February to March is the season when lambs are born. The newborn
lambs are a heartwarming sight to behold and will bring a smile
to every person's face. Visitors can enjoy beautiful natural
surroundings, the friendly farm animals and the warmth of the
people working on the farm. The relaxed and easy-going pace
of farm life will comfort the hearts and minds of all those
who come here.
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From Saturday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00
p.m., the Iwate Snow Festival is held. Visitors will enjoy viewing
the towering snow sculptures, romantic lights that light up
the winter night sky, colorful fireworks, and stage shows. At
the largest snow sculpture, a slide has been installed for the
enjoyment of children. Although there is a fee charged for the
activities, visitors can experience riding a rubber boat drawn
by a snowmobile or take a tour of the Snow Festival on a horse-drawn
sleigh. It is only during this season that delicious Genghis
Khan Mongolian barbecue is served in the "kamakura"
(snow huts). Stalls are also open for those who want to enjoy
the taste of simple local dishes. Visitors will delight in these
attractions available only during the winter season at Koiwai.
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Mt.
Iwate in the springtime as viewed from Koiwai
Tsunagi
Hot Springs is located along the shores of Lake Gosho. |
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Mt.
Iwate soars majestically behind Lake Gosho. |
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Visitors to Koiwai Farm can choose a place to stay at one of
the 20 small or large inns and hotels at the nearby Tsunagi
Hot Springs located along the shores of Lake Gosho. They can
enjoy a view of the beautiful dam adjacent to the hot springs
and Mt. Iwate in the distance.
The Morioka craft village is located nearby where craftsmen
create traditional handicrafts and food products. They include
Nambu ironware and pottery, dyed materials, furniture, traditional
toys, Nambu senbei crackers and dagashi confections. In addition
to being able to talk to the craftsmen as they demonstrate their
skills, visitors can attend workshops and try their hand at
making their own items.
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