Agritourism in Tome

Agritourism is a form of sustainable tourism that connects people with agriculture, regional food culture, and the natural environment.

Tome offers a number of agritourism experiences through Shokuno Taiken Network Tome Council, comprised of multiple organizations that support community-based tourism. It works with more than 100 local farming households to offer visitors a variety of hands-on experiences, including rice planting and harvesting, fruit and vegetable picking, and cooking workshops where participants can make traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

The experiences provide insight into everyday life in the countryside and help foster an appreciation for food production and the values that support it. They can be tailored to suit a variety of participants, including families and groups from schools, companies, and industry.

Tome’s agritourism programs highlight the close relationship between agriculture, environmental conservation, and people. They benefit both visitors and the local community: Participants can interact with residents, learn about traditional industries, and enjoy meals made using freshly harvested ingredients. In turn, residents gain economic opportunities, and preserve local knowledge and customs, contributing to community pride.

Tome aims to promote the use of locally grown ingredients, increase opportunities for residents to buy and consume fresh produce, and raise awareness of the quality of local foods. To support this, the city certifies retail stores and restaurants that produce, use, or sell locally sourced ingredients, providing them with an official certificate and a promotional banner.