Difference between revisions of "Moku Moku Farms"

Revision as of 14:27, 31 January 2011

Moku Moku Farms (モクモクファーム), also romanized as Mokumoku Farm, is an organic farm in Iga that produces many varieties of food but is especially known for its pork and beer. It is one of the largest such farms in Mie and draws a decent number of tourists to its main farm in northern Iga. It also runs a number of buffet-style restaurants which are directly supplied by the farm, three of which are in Mie.

Specialties

Moku Moku is most well-known for these items which are all independently produced on-site at the main farm:

• Ham
• Sausage
• Beer
• Tofu
• Bread
• Ice cream
• Cake, mochi, and other sweets

Main Farm Facilities

The main Moku Moku farm has a quite a few areas open to visitors.

Restaurants at the Main Farm

See restaurants below

Shopping

Given how much food is produced at the farm, you can bet there are plenty of shops where you can buy up Moku Moku brand items. There is a large main shop, as well as a specialized pork shop and a vegetable shop resembling a farmer's market.

Hands-on Farming Classes

There is a classroom where visitors can try making certain foods, mainly sausages and breads. There are a number of seasonal items as well. Reservations required.

Onsen

There is a nice natural onsen on-site with scenic outdoor baths. Seasonally the onsen will have certain fruits floating in the baths.

• Entry: ¥800 (¥500 for kids)
• Disconts: Half-price on Thursdays
• Weekdays: 13:00~21:00
• Weekends: 11:00~21:00
• Closed some Wednesdays
• Towels and soap provided for free

Restaurants

Main Farm

All the restaurants serve food made mostly of Moku Moku ingredients as well as their local craft beer.

• Barbeque and Beer House (バーベキュービアレスハウス)

  Ideal place to enjoy two of Moku Moku's primary specialties: pork and craft beer. Both yakiniku-style and nabe-style meals are available.

  • Food prices: ¥3000+ for sets, ¥600 and up for individual dishes
  • Beer prices: ¥570 for a small glass, ¥790 for standard glass, ¥890 for sampler
  • Weekdays: 11:00~14:30
  • Saturdays: 11:00~20:30
  • Sundays and holidays: 11:00~16:00

• Papa Bia Restaurant (パパビアレストラン)

  Largest restuaurant on the farm. Buffet-style with over 60 types of foods available, with many seasonal selections. The majority of the foods available are either made on-site or produced using certain Moku Moku ingredients. Only open for lunch.

  • Buffet price: ¥1890 (¥1050 for kids)
  • Weekdays: 11:00~15:00
  • Weekends: 10:30~15:00

• Farm Village Cooking (農村料理の店 nōson ryōri no mise)

  More standard Japanese-style fare such as noodles, donburi, tempura, and tonkatsu. Menu changes at dinner time (17:00). Accepts reservations.

  • Prices: Sets start at ¥1575
  • Weekdays: 11:00~20:00
  • Weekends: 11:00~21:00

• Moku Moku Cafe

  Sweets, bread, coffee, and tea.

  • Hours: 09:30~18:00

Throughout Mie

There are three buffet-style restaurants around Mie which resemble Papa Bia Restaurant above. They are under the direct ownership of Moku Moku Farms and the farm's food and beer are featured prominently.

• Matsusaka : Toki no Budō (時のぶどう)

  Located at Bell Farms in Matsusaka, just off the Matsusaka IC on the Ise Expressway.

  • Prices: ¥1575 for lunch, ¥2300 for dinner
  • Weekdays: 11:00~14:30 (lunch); 18:00~20:00 (dinner)
  • Weekends: 10:30~14:30 (lunch); 17:00~20:00 (dinner)
  • Closed Wednesdays in winter

• Suzuka : Moku Moku (モクモク)

  Located next to the Maruyasu supermarket, just off main street.

  • Prices: ¥1800 for lunch, ¥2300 for dinner
  • Weekdays: 11:00~14:30 (lunch); 17:00~20:30 (dinner)
  • Weekends: 11:00~15:00 (lunch); 17:00~21:00 (dinner)
  • Closed second Wednesday of every month

• Tsu : Kaze ni Fukarete (風にふかれて)

  Located adjacent to the Mie Center for the Arts

  • Prices: ¥1800 for lunch, ¥2300 for dinner
  • Hours: 11:00~14:00 (lunch); 17:30~20:30 (dinner)
  • Closed second Wednesday of every month

Maps

• Official map
• Google map

Directions

Unless coming from within Iga or Nabari, it will take at least an hour from most places in Mie to Moku Moku Farms, and more if coming from farther away than places like Tsu or Yokkaichi.

By Car

Moku Moku Farms is approximately 9 minutes north of the Mibuno (壬生野) IC on the Meihan Expressway, and is approximately 10 minutes south of the Kōnan (甲南) IC on the Shin-Meishin Expressway.

the farm is near the intersection of Route 775 and Route 50. Once you enter the farm's general area there will be signs to guide you the rest of the way.

By Train

Moku Moku Farms is extremely inaccessible by train. The closest station is Shindō (新堂) Station on the JR Kansai Main Line, however it is not walkable and you will need to take a taxi. However, Shindō Station does not always have taxis and so the official directions recommend catching a taxi at either Tsuge (柘植) Station (a 15 minute taxi ride) or Iga-Ueno (伊賀上野) Station (a 25 minute taxi ride).

Links

• Moku Moku Farms - Official site