At a glance
Mother Farm in Futtsu, Chiba is a family-friendly ranch and theme park offering hands-on animal experiences across spacious hillside grounds. Visitors can interact with sheep, capybaras, alpacas, and goats, enjoy seasonal flower fields, watch entertaining sheep herding shows, and participate in activities like cow milking and fruit picking. The farm features pet-friendly facilities, multiple dining options including Jingisukan barbecue, and amenities like wheelchair accessibility and onsite parking, making it an accessible countryside destination approximately one hour from central Tokyo.
Photographs
Mother Farm
Mother Farm is a sprawling ranch and theme park in Futtsu, Chiba, offering visitors an immersive pastoral experience across spacious hillside grounds. The farm features interactive animal encounters with sheep, capybaras, goats, alpacas, and cows, complemented by entertaining shows including the popular “Great Sheep Parade” (ひつじの大行進) featuring border collies and the exciting piglet races, where selected children can participate alongside racing piglets.
Seasonal flower fields create stunning visual displays throughout the year, while hands-on activities like cow milking, fruit picking, and horseback riding provide authentic farm experiences. The farm’s signature jingisukan (grilled lamb) dining and rich soft-serve ice cream made from fresh farm milk are culinary highlights that visitors consistently praise. A zipline attraction allows guests to soar above the farm with panoramic views of the Boso Hills, Tokyo Bay, and Mount Fuji on clear days.
The facility welcomes pets for an additional fee, with non-retractable leashes required, making it an excellent destination for families with dogs. While the hillside terrain includes significant elevation changes and steep slopes that require good mobility, paid transportation services and tractor trains help visitors navigate between areas. Visitors should plan for a full day to experience the various shows, animal interactions, and seasonal activities, with comfortable walking shoes essential for exploring the extensive grounds.
Seasonal and Event Highlights
- Spring: Vast fields of nanohana (rapeseed flowers), nemophila, and cherry blossoms bloom across the hillsides.
- Summer: Sunflowers, hydrangeas, and seasonal fruit-picking experiences attract families and photographers.
- Autumn: Cosmos and dahlias create colorful landscapes with clear views across the Boso Peninsula.
- Winter: Illuminations, winter-blooming cherry blossoms, and crisp views of Mount Fuji offer a different atmosphere.
- Event: The Great Sheep Parade (ひつじの大行進) featuring around 200 sheep is one of the farm’s signature attractions (held seasonally, excluding July and August).
- Event: The Piglet Race (こぶたのレース) remains one of Mother Farm’s most popular family events, with children selected by lottery participating alongside the piglets.
Before you go
General admission is ¥1,800 for adults (junior high school age and above) and ¥900 for children aged 4 through elementary school age. Dogs are permitted for an additional fee of ¥700, subject to entry rules. Due to the farm’s large size and hilly terrain, comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. Paid transportation services operate within the park to help visitors move between areas. Toilets, restaurants, cafés, and English signage are available throughout the grounds. Tripods are generally permitted for personal photography, although their use may be restricted during crowded events and animal shows.
Mother Farm is open year-round, with only a few scheduled closure days during December and January for maintenance. Operating hours vary seasonally, with longer opening hours on weekends, holidays, and school vacation periods. Visitors should check the official schedule before visiting.
When to go
Spring through early summer brings peak beauty to Mother Farm with vibrant nemophila fields creating stunning blue carpets across hillsides, while seasonal flower displays continue through warmer months. Autumn offers comfortable temperatures for exploring the spacious grounds and participating in harvest activities like sweet potato digging, making it ideal for families with children. Weekday visits provide a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds and shorter wait times for popular activities like cow milking and farm tours. Arriving when gates open at 9:30 AM allows you to experience morning animal activities and secure spots for tractor-pulled farm tours before afternoon heat peaks.
Public review summary
Visitors consistently praise the hands-on animal interactions, especially the sheep show and feeding experiences, though some note staff attitudes vary. Families appreciate the spacious grounds and variety of activities, from piglet races to cow milking. The fresh soft-serve ice cream and Jingisukan receive high marks. However, the steep slopes can be challenging, and entrance plus parking fees surprise some guests.
What you'll find here
Location & access
- DirectionsAddress
940-3 Tagura, Futtsu, Chiba 299-1601, Japan
- How to get there
By Public Transportation:
From Tokyo Station, take the JR Uchibo Line to Kimitsu Station, then transfer to the direct bus to Mother Farm, which takes approximately 35 minutes. Alternatively, buses also operate from JR Sanukimachi Station. The journey from central Tokyo typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours.
By Car:
Mother Farm is accessible via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line and Tateyama Expressway. The closest access points are Kimitsu PA Smart IC (approximately 15 minutes), Kimitsu IC, or Kisarazu Minami IC. Paid parking is available on-site.
Common questions
Can I bring my dog to Mother Farm?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Mother Farm for an entrance fee of 700 yen. Dogs must be on non-retractable leashes (rentals available if needed). Most outdoor areas are accessible with pets, though some indoor facilities restrict entry. A dog run is also available for off-leash play.
What activities are included with admission?
Mother Farm admission includes animal interactions with sheep, goats, and capybaras, plus free events like the sheep show with shearing demonstrations, herding dog displays, duck parades, and piglet races. The spacious grounds feature seasonal flower fields and various farm experiences throughout the day.
Is Mother Farm suitable for young children?
Mother Farm is very kid-friendly with wheelchair accessible facilities, numerous restrooms throughout the grounds, and gentle animal interaction opportunities. Children can participate in activities like cow milking, feeding animals, and the popular piglet races for ages 3 to 6th grade. However, the hilly terrain may be challenging for strollers.
What food options are available at Mother Farm?
Mother Farm offers several dining options including restaurants serving Jingisukan (grilled lamb), barbecue facilities, and snack bars. Their signature soft-serve ice cream made from fresh farm milk is highly recommended. There are also souvenir shops selling packaged goods, and visitors are welcome to bring packed lunches.
How do I get to Mother Farm from Tokyo?
Mother Farm is located on a mountain in Futtsu, Chiba. From Kimitsu Station, there are buses to the farm (800 yen), but service is limited with one bus per hour on weekends and one every two hours on weekdays. Driving is more convenient with on-site paid parking available.
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