Itayanagi Town Furusato Center

A facility themed around apples, Itayanagi Town’s local specialty. It was created as a hub for revitalizing the town’s economy with three goals: developing local industries through apples, promoting hands-on farming, and providing new agricultural technologies.

The spacious grounds include a model orchard cultivating Approx. 110 varieties of apple trees from around the world, a museum displaying materials and tools related to apple history and cultivation, a farm stand selling local specialties, and a processing facility where apple jam and juice are made, among other apple-related attractions.

There are four hands-on workshops: a pottery studio where you can make Banryu ware using glaze made with ash from apple trees, an apple sweets workshop where you can make cookies with apple fiber, an apple botanical dyeing workshop using colors extracted by simmering apple leaves and branches, and the Rinju craft workshop, where crafts are woven from apple tree bark. From early October to mid-November, visitors can also enjoy apple-picking. (Group reservations are not accepted during replanting.)

There is also a kids’ park with play equipment for small children, a viewing pond with swimming carp, a day-use hot spring facility, and a footbath, making it easy to spend the whole day here. If you get hungry, head to the restaurant, which offers a wide selection of set meals. There is also a BBQ facility where you bring your own ingredients and equipment. With cottages made entirely of hiba wood, staying overnight for a relaxing visit is also a great option.