Nandabe-Mura Farmhouse Pension
The Ishii Household
Get to Know Nandabe-Mura
Nandabe-Mura is a hands-on farmhouse run by Ishii, who raises rice and vegetables in Ouse. Located on a wide tract of land far from other people and houses, and with various facilities and a varied landscape that include a stone oven, wells, ashiyu footbaths, scarecrows and biotopes, Nandabe-Mura provides guests with a chance to experience satoyama woodland farming. (Satoyama refers to the borderland between foothills and farmland that is cared for and used by locals.)
A desire to decrease the amount of chemicals used to raise crops led Ishii to become interested in environmental issues. Wanting to share his newfound knowledge, Ishii began offering satoyama experiences to promote the satoyama lifestyle, safe and secure farming practices, and to give guests a look at modern Fukushima farming communities. In order to increase opportunities to connect with guests and to broaden workshop and experience offerings, Ishii began accepting overnight guests in 2006.
The name “Nandabe-Mura” has a special meaning: “Nandabe” acts as an invitation to ask questions, as it roughly translates to “what is it?” in the local dialect. Say it when you come across something you don’t understand, and those around you will know you’d like to learn more.
Workshops and Experiences Available at Nandabe-Mura
The theme at Nandabe-Mura is “living.” Since starting out, Ishii has hoped that guests would discover an enhanced zest for life, improved intuition and sharpened senses, and a boost in empathy while playing in nature.
There’s so much to do at Nandabe-Mura! Guests can try their hand at farming, woodworking, bambooworking, hanazumi (carbonizing flowers, seeds and the like) and other handicrafts; explore the satoyama and discover its living creatures; make pizza and bread in a real stone oven; join cooking workshops that use vegetables harvested from local fields and wild vegetables harvested from the satoyama; enjoy firefly viewing; and so much more. A stay at Nandabe-Mura is the perfect way to discover the many charms of satoyama living!
I’ve discovered charms of the Ouse area that I didn’t know existed thanks to the many people, from both within Fukushima Prefecture and beyond, who have come to stay. “Oishikatta” (It was delicious!) is encouragement, and “tanoshikatta” (It was fun!) is the way I know I am on the right track!
| Farmhouse name | Nandabe-Mura |
| Location | 1-2 Minami-Yamadahara, Tadano, Ouse-machi, Koriyama-shi, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Telephone | 024-957-2095 |
| Capacity | Eight guests |
| Meals | Meals made with ingredients harvested from the fields and satoyama/pizza and bread baked in the stone oven |
| Workshops/Experiences | Agricultural workshops/activities in satoyama/woodworking, bambooworking and various other handicrafts/cooking workshops |
