Koiwai Farm

We attended the final night of the Winter Lights festival at Koiwai Farm. (ko小little iwa岩boulder i井well, so I think of it as "Little-Iwate boulder-Well Farm"). It's nicely set up for many families to visit and capture special winter lights family photos, with many many lovely lighting displays, plenty of toilets and delicious snack foods containing milk products, such as pizza, drinkable yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, little glass bottles of rich, creamy milk. The dining area was heated. WEAR WARM CLOTHES!! THIS IS OUTSIDE! Kids of all ages were sledding and building snowmen and enjoying the beauty and joyous atmosphere. Indoors, there were some activities, including archery.

We visited on the last day of 2025. The snow there was soft and powdery, making it a joy to walk and play in. We truly enjoyed the snowy surroundings as we waited for the year-end fireworks. To experience the evening illumination, we needed to get tickets—and it was absolutely worth it. The lights were amazing, making it feel like we had stepped into an angel’s land. The milk there was incredibly fresh and delicious. We also received a free photo ticket, which allowed us to get a small-sized photo at no cost.

Drove about an hour from Akita—not too far, but just enough to feel like a proper escape. Koiwai Farm lives up to its reputation as a peaceful, working dairy farm set in a stunning natural landscape. The highlight was wandering through the animal barns. We visited the cows (where the famous milk comes from), watched the sheep grazing, and even saw a few horses. It’s hands-on without being overcrowded, and the animals are clearly well cared for. A great experience, especially for families or anyone who enjoys a slower, rural pace. Of course, the real star is the Koiwai milk—fresh, creamy, and genuinely delicious. You can taste the quality the moment it hits your tongue. Worth the trip alone. We also tried the on-site pizza made with their own cheese, and it was outstanding: rich, melty, and perfectly baked. Paired with a rainy afternoon, the cozy place felt like a warm shelter with sweeping views of the misty fields outside. Service was friendly and efficient, and the whole place has a relaxed, authentic charm. No over-the-top tourist gimmicks—just good food, fresh air, and a real farm experience. Conclusion: Highly recommend. If you’re in Akita, getting back to Sendai and looking for a scenic, tasty, and low-key outing, Koiwai Farm is a gem.

A pleasant family activity, but pretty pricey. Everything inside the farm, except visiting the “other side”, where the cows are, is additional charge. We joined the 40-minute tractor tour “around the farm”, but it turned out to be a snail-slow forest tour, probably no longer than 2km, with a Japanese language only narrator. The food at the farm is okay, but pricey. The homemade milk products are tasty. We found the farm side more worthwhile and more charming.

Not much to do in winter, and each activity costs money to do agter paying the 1000yen entrance fee. The lights show were insanely subpar imo. With nothing much to do, we had to make do by making our own “snowman”. If you’re not a family with a little kid or not with your partner, i suggest looking elsewhere or go in another time. Avoid using a taxi to go there as there is a shuttle bus from morioka station. However there is a very kind lady in the front ticketbooth that allowed us to take pictures for a bit while the sun is still out, eventhough they are closing at 3.

It is a very enjoyable farm even though there were only 5 horses when we visited in April. It was a clear sunny day when we visited, the green pasture against the clear blue sky was incredible. All was worth while. It was tranquillizing to walk around the premise and enjoy the milk, yogurt, beef skewers, baked potatoes and soft cream. It probably will be more exciting in summer should there be more animals around.

Date of enjoyment: 15/4/25 Came down here on a rainy Tuesday, there weren’t many tourist/visitors. The car park is free and massive, upon entry you will find a vast land that is reminiscent country setting in the western world. We went straight for the buggy and it was tough work. There were also museums for shelter from the rain and cold, we spent most of our time in the souvenir shop as there are diary products that is as good as Hokkaido, we tried theit butter cake and yes it is delicious. They also have a soft serve which is very strong diary flavour and trust me you don’t need any other toppings just straight up goodness. The viewing to the milking cows require a separate ticket and a walk outside of the park of which visitors will find that the scenery is not as magical in spring when spring blossom have yet to bloom. There’s also ramen and pizzas restaurant for a taste Koiwai Farm. Allow roughly 2hrs of time for a single visit.

A very chill place. The farm is very big divided into two sections, good for couples date and the best for family trip either way young kids. I like the archery, it’s pretty cool. Remember to traste both the milk and milk ice cream, very rich and delicious. Lucky to see some Sakura blossoming. 2025 Spring

KOIWAI 小岩井農場 was one of the stops in our 2016 Autumn leaf-viewing Trip. We enjoyed the ice cream more than the scene on this rainy day. We missed the cows/cattle.