Explore. Japan.

One hour from Tokyo station.

Some people are tourists.
Others are adventurers.

How do you want to experience a place?

Standing in line at a crowded landmark? Or, through the eyes of a local person?

These trips are for people who want a deep, authentic experience.

A heart-warming adventure.

You’ll learn something new, taste something different, and take home a unique memory of rural Japan.

Upcoming events

Overview:
Location: Kazusa Ichinomiya station (1-1.5 hrs from Tokyo)
Date: July 20th and/or 25th (depending on interest)
Cost: 7000 yen

To RSVP, click the button below, I will send a payment link to you.

Description:
Japan and Daizu have a connection going back a millennia.

It’s impossible to imagine Japanese food without it: soy sauce, tofu, miso, natto, kinako, edamame. Yet, very few people know that soy beans and edamame are the same plant at different life stages. And, even less have actually seen it grow.

More and more Daizu are being imported from USA and Canada, so it’s getting hard to find local Japanese products. If you check the label, most tofu is made from overseas beans and preservatives.

The original craft and connection with Daizu is at risk of being lost.

That’s why we started Daizu Club!

This is a series of workshops.. beginning with planting the seed and building a planter from natural sources.

You can follow along for the whole process. We will teach you to grow, harvest, make tofu, make miso, etc. over the next six months.

this is Daizu Club Part One

Includes:
-Daizu planting by hand with a veteran organic farmer.
-Precious knowledge about daizu, nature, and ancient Japan.
-Basic daizu cooking lesson & farm fresh lunch.
-Make Yakisugi planter together, and take it home to grow your own daizu at home!
-Half-off Daizu club membership (¥3000) for those interested to come to more.
-See a unique, real side ofJapan country life.
-Free shuttle from station, if needed

Btw, we may also make a Line group where we all grow remotely and share updates.

Let’s see what this community becomes!

Schedule:
10:00am - Arrive at Kazusa Ichinomiya station (take the one hour direct train from Tokyo station, or you can drive)
10:10am - 1000 year old Tamasaki Shrine barefoot walk
10:30am - Meet the farmer host
11:00am - Sow daizu with foraged green fertilizer.
12:00 - quick cooking lesson and fresh daizu soup
13:30 - create your own yakisugi planter.
15:00 - depart for Tokyo.

*Sometimes we hang out later until 16 or 16:30, but you can leave earlier if you choose to.

■ What to bring
・Water bottle, Mineral sunscreen
・Clothes that can get dirty

■ Deadline to apply
✅ Saturday July 19 7:30pm
✅ To RSVP, please hit RSVP on Meet up. I will send you a link to make the payment, after payment, then you will be confirmed.
✅ Capacity is 10 people. First-come-first-serve after payment.
※ Spots may open due to cancellations, so feel free to message anytime.

■ Cancellation policy
・7 to 4 days before: 20%
・3 to 2 days before: 50%
・1 day before / same day: 100%

About your hosts:

Levi Pells is the founder at Sumeba. He is a 33 year old from Hawaii who has spent the last 10 years in Japan. He was recently asked to inherit a peanut farm in Chiba after volunteering there for the past two years. Besides his obsession with natural farming, he is into surfing, pickleball, jamming, and leading retreats in the Japanese countryside. He speaks Japanese and English fluently.

Ayako san is the owner of Minamoto Farms, a veteran organic farm in the area. She moved from Tokyo over ten years ago to pursue a simpler life in the countryside. Since then, she has built a farm business providing fresh produce to local restaurants and even been sponsored by the Patagonia store in town. She is passionate about preserving Japanese culture and providingpeople with safe, fresh food.

Get in touch

Private tour option

We offer private tours of our farm for your family (up to 5 guests) including meeting the farmers and lunch. Having an intimate, authentic experience of Japanese rural life is usually one of our guests’ favorite memories of their trip.

We can also arrange additonal activities in our town. Examples include: playing/surfing at the beach, dairy farm tour, mochi-making, local festivals, 1000 year old temple, horse-riding, hot springs etc.

Just 60 minutes away from Tokyo station, it’s a great daytrip for the family. Let us know your travel plans and we’ll help make it special.

Check availability

Who are we?

Yoji san

Husband to Kiyomi san. They moved from Tokyo after retirement to start farming.

His speciality is Chiba peanuts and Asian pears, though he grows a variety of yummy vegetables and fruits as well.

Yoji san is a relatively quiet guy with a secret heart of gold. He regularly falls asleep at the dinner table. 

Yokoyama Farms

Kiyomi san

Wife of Yoji san. She’s the polar opposite. If Yoji san grows the food then Kiyomi san eats it. Talkative and curious personality.

She enjoys experiencing other cultures/cuisines, most recently visiting Poland, Romania, China and Vietnam.

Kiyomi san loves to welcome diverse guests into her home, and give them extra goodies to take home!

Yokoyama Farms
Minamoto Farms

Ayako san

Moved with her family from Tokyo ~10 years ago to pursue their dream of farming in the countryside.

Unfortunately, her husband passed away suddenly and now she runs the farm by herself, supporting her two children.

She grows delicious organic vegetables for family and local restaurants, and offers seasonal activities to share her knowledge. of traditional Japanese foods.

sumeba CEO

Levi

Levi moved to Ichinomiya after a 5 years of high-pressure sales in Tokyo. He speaks fluent Japanese and loves surfing, farming and living simply.

He volunteers a few days a week at both farms, and helps to organize, market, and facilitate local events.

His mission is to show people the hidden side of Japan that he has fallen in love with.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We are located in Ichinomiya, Chiba.

    You can take the train: 1 hour from Tokyo station to Kazusa Ichinomiya on the Wakashio Keiyo line. It leaves once per hour.

    We have a free shuttle to pick you up.

    Or, you can come by car ~1-2 hours from Tokyo to Kazusa Ichinomiya station.

  • We are happy to work around your travel plans. Get in touch early and let us know your situation / interests via this form here

  • Yes, if you let us know in advance, we will do our best to organize an alternative for you.

  • A 48-hour notice is required for cancellations to receive a full refund regardless of the time of booking. Bookings made less than 48 hours prior to a tour start time are not eligible for refund.

  • Yes, you may reschedule your activity up to 2 hours prior to your start time or request a credit for future use.

  • Contact me at levihkp@gmail.com or submit this form here with any specific questions.