Rakunoh Mother’s - Aso Milk Farm
For most Japanese, the chance to see a cow in its "natural habitat" is quite a rare occasion.
You can experience and learn all about dairy farming at the Aso Milk Farm.
Despite the crowds, the Aso Milk Farm is a fun family outing in a pastorally impressive setting.
Aso Milk Farm is a working dairy, counting such animals as cows, hogs, sheep and goats among its livestock.
Visitors to the farm are welcome to roam the grounds - stop in and watch the cows crunching their hay, buy some carrot sticks for the sheep both in and out of the enclosure and enjoy the ducks cavorting in the pond.
Horses offer short rides for youngsters in a back paddock.
Several times a day, animal "races" are held in a large amphitheater, pitting various animals in short races, a sort of interspecies track meet.
The farm covers 81.5 acres (330,000㎡) and while there are paved paths that link all corners of the property, a black and white motoized "cow cart" also makes the rounds.
If animals start to lose their appeal, there is a play area in the farm's back corner with a roller slide and some great climbing equipment.
There are also a number of tractors parked around the property for kids who want to explore the equipment up close.
If you get hungry, the farm boasts both a bakery with sweet and savory breads and a buffet restaurant with local products at the base of most of the dishes.
If you'd rather bring your own bento lunch and picnic on the grounds, you are absolutely welcome to spread out your blanket anywhere on the property.
On fair-weather weekends and holidays, the lawns of the Aso Milk Farm are the perfect place for a relaxing picnic.
The Aso Milk Farm is also a short drive from the southern slopes of the Mt Aso Volcano region so you can easily combine some additional sightseeing with a trip to the farm.
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Rakunoh Mother’s - Aso Milk Farm
【Address】
〒861-2404
3944-1 Kawahara, Nishihara Village, Aso County Kumamoto City
TEL:096-292-2100 FAX:096-292-2107
【Opening hours】
10:00am - 5:00pm (subject to change depending on each season)
【Holiday(Closed)】
Thursdays, irregular holidays during winter period.
【Fees】
300yen per person
(Group of more than 20 - 250yen/person)
(Under 3 and Over 60 - free admission)
【Parking】
Free
(Compact cars: 1,000)
(Large-sized motor vehicles/buses: 20)
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園内をブラブラしていると、まずはヒツジに遭遇。
草をはんでいました。
反芻するんでしょうね。
こちらは園内の至るところで見られたタンポポの写真。
微妙にセイヨウタンポポと形が違ったのですが、なんという名前の種類なのか・・・
続いて子ヤギ。
可愛いですね。
とにかくヒツジやヤギが園内を自由に歩き回っています。
ふれあい広場には犬もいました。
みんなお疲れのご様子。
こちらはロバ。
そして、エサをねだるヒツジ軍団。
紫陽花も綺麗でした。
そうそう、牧場ですので、忘れずにウシの写真も載せておきましょう。
乳牛として頑張って生きていくわけですね。
こんな子もいました。
再びお花の写真。
なんという種類なのかは不明です。
ポピーかな?
子供たちは動物を見ることができて喜んでいましたが、こむつま的には、この「阿蘇ミルク牧場」の良いところは、広々とした敷地と、景色の美しさにあると思いました。
次に住み替えるときは阿蘇でも良いなあ。
ではでは、See you later, alligator.