Yamada Honeybee Farm Guide: A Hands-On Farm Where You Can “Eat, Learn, and Play”
This article introduces the charm and ways to enjoy Yamada Honeybee Farm, located in Okayama Prefecture.
One of its main attractions is the wide variety of experiences available, such as programs where you can learn about the world of honeybees and beekeeping, as well as hands-on workshops for making soap and candles using bee-derived products.
What Kind of Place Is Yamada Honeybee Farm?
Located in Kagamino Town, Tomata District, Okayama Prefecture, Yamada Honeybee Farm is a hands-on tourist farm where visitors can connect with nature.
It is the only tourist facility directly operated by Yamada Bee Farm, which produces bee-derived health foods and cosmetics such as royal jelly and propolis.
The area is surrounded by lush forests and pure water sources, offering opportunities to learn about the interconnectedness of life, the importance of nature, and the role of honeybees.
Admission is free, and within the grounds you will find not only an apiary but also a Honeybee Strawberry Greenhouse, blueberry fields, and an animal plaza, making it enjoyable for both adults and children.
Among its many attractions, the diverse lineup of experiential programs is a must.
From the Honey Harvesting Experience to the Beeswax Candle Making Experience, the farm offers unique opportunities to learn about the ecology of honeybees while engaging in hands-on activities that cannot be experienced elsewhere.
A Place Where the Story of Nature and Honeybees Lives On
Kagamino Town, surrounded by the rich nature of Okayama Prefecture, was once a major production area where fields of Chinese milk vetch bloomed in abundance.
Captivated by this land, the founder decided to settle in Kagamino Town while continuing migratory beekeeping, marking the beginning of the history of Yamada Bee Farm.
Yamada Honeybee Farm is located on this land deeply connected to its founder.
Honeybees are not only producers of honey but also play a vital role in pollinating vegetables and fruits.
At the farm, a variety of experiences and facilities are designed so that visitors can feel the work of honeybees up close and enjoyably learn about nature, food, and the interconnectedness of life.
Visitors can observe the cultivation of strawberries grown with the help of pollinating honeybees, or join a beekeeping experience where they can extract honey themselves.
Through these valuable experiences, which cannot be had in the city, you can deepen your understanding of nature and food-as well as the important relationship with honeybees-in an enjoyable way.
Access to Yamada Honeybee Farm
Here’s how to get from JR Okayama Station to Yamada Honeybee Farm.
Since the number of public transportation services is limited, it is advisable to check the timetable in advance.
Because the farm is located in the mountains, renting a car is recommended for convenience (free parking available for 50 cars).
From Okayama City, using the Chugoku Expressway, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
- Route
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1. Take the JR Tsuyama Line bound for Tsuyama from JR Okayama Station and get off at Tsuyama Station.
2. From Tsuyama Station, take the JR Kishin Line and get off at Innosho Station.
3. From Innosho Station, take the bus bound for Ishigoshi and get off at Tsukadani-guchi. The farm is about a 10-minute walk from there. - Required Time
- About 2 hours 20 minutes
Two Experiences Unique to Yamada Honeybee Farm
Yamada Honeybee Farm, you can take part in a wide range of experiences related to honeybees, from year-round programs to seasonal activities.
Here are two of the most highly recommended experiences.
Honey Harvesting Experience
In this program, after learning about the work of honeybees and the history of beekeeping, you will participate in the entire process of collecting honey from hives within the farm.
You can look inside the hive up close, operate the centrifuge, and extract honey with your own hands, allowing you to experience the honey-harvesting process with all five senses.
It also has educational value in terms of environmental and food education, making it a great experience for children.
Another highlight is that you can taste fresh “raw honey” on the spot.
You will be amazed by the rich aroma and mellow sweetness of honey in its natural state, which is completely different from store-bought honey.
Participants can also take home a 50g jar, making it a popular souvenir.
This experience is offered year-round but requires advance reservation.
Strawberry Picking Experience
The strawberry picking experience takes place in a greenhouse the size of about 12 tennis courts. It is held every year from January 5 to late May, with a 45-minute all-you-can-eat format (reservation required).
The biggest feature is that the strawberries are pollinated by honeybees released in the greenhouse and are grown without any chemical pesticides.
Each berry has a deep aroma and rich sweetness, and you can enjoy eating them fresh off the vine with peace of mind.
Another special attraction at Yamada Bee Farm is the opportunity to compare different varieties.
You can taste and compare the shapes, colors, sweetness, acidity, and juiciness of various types, such as Kaorino, Beni Hoppe, and Oishi Berry (Hare Ichigo).
Restaurant & Café Where You Can Enjoy Dishes Made with Seasonal Ingredients and Farm-Special Drinks
Yamada Honeybee Farm also has a restaurant and café, making it attractive not only for its diverse experiences but also for its gourmet offerings.
At the restaurant un’ape, supervised by a famous Italian chef from Okayama, the main dishes are pasta finished with special sauces and simple yet flavorful pizzas.
It is recommended to order them as a set with a salad bar featuring seasonal vegetables from Kagamino Town and drinks such as honey beverages.
Meanwhile, at Hachi Cafe, you will find a wide variety of farm-special drinks made with seasonal fruits, as well as sweets focusing on strawberries and honey.
Popular original menu items include the best-selling Honey Strawberry Ice and Honey Banana Cake.
Be sure to stop by for a break while enjoying these treats.
Top 3 Popular Souvenirs at Yamada Honeybee Farm
At the on-site shop, you can purchase a wide range of products from Yamada Bee Farm, including honey, royal jelly, and cosmetics.
Here are the top souvenirs particularly popular among Japanese visitors, presented in ranking form.
- 1st Place: Honey Cookies
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Original cookies available exclusively at the farm.
Their crispy texture and subtle honey flavor are irresistible. - 2nd Place: Additive-Free Honey Strawberry Jam
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A handmade jam made with the farm’s prized strawberries and acacia honey.
It features a deep flavor where the texture and sweetness of the fruit are exquisitely matched with a refined aroma. - 3rd Place (tie): Honey Rusk Set
- A luxurious assortment of rusks coated in caramel flavored with honey, and mixed with almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.
- 3rd Place (tie): Honey Dorayaki
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A popular item born at the farm’s food stall.
The pancakes are stamped with a cute illustration of a bee, and the dorayaki offers a rustic honey flavor with a pleasantly chewy texture.
Popular Products from Yamada Bee Farm
Yamada Bee Farm products can also be purchased outside of Yamada Bee Farm itself through the online shop and physical stores in Okayama, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hyogo.
Here are some of the most popular product lineups.
1. Royal Jelly King
Royal jelly, a special nutritional source produced by bees for the queen bee, is known for supporting beauty and health.
As a supplement, Royal Jelly King can be easily consumed and is recommended not only for personal use but also as a gift for someone important.
2. Cosmetics (Skincare)
It has long been said that beekeepers’ hands remain beautiful thanks to the power of royal jelly.
Focusing on this fact, Yamada Bee Farm thoroughly researched the effects of royal jelly on the skin at its in-house laboratory.
As a result, it developed skincare products containing royal jelly using safe, naturally derived ingredients.
The most popular among them is the bestselling RJ Skincare Series.
Formulated with royal jelly extract and moisturizing ingredients, it hydrates dry skin and helps achieve firm, radiant, and healthy skin.
These gentle, nature-inspired products that maximize the blessings of nature through science are particularly recommended for those with sensitive skin or those seeking cosmetics made from natural ingredients.
3. Honey Products
Yamada Bee Farm offers a wide variety of honey, including acacia honey, lotus honey, and multifloral honey, with an especially rich selection of domestically produced honey.
The flavorful honey can be enjoyed in many ways, such as drizzling over bread or yogurt or using in cooking.
Japanese honey also makes a perfect souvenir from your trip.
![Satoyama Acacia Honey [Made in Japan]](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/22000/21129/20250908_150624_5c4973c9_w1920.webp)
![Satoyama Lotus Honey [Made in Japan]](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/22000/21129/20250908_150627_296a3389_w1920.webp)
![Satoyama Flower Honey [Made in Japan]](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/22000/21129/20250908_150632_34bafab2_w1920.webp)
Also Available on TaxFreeOnline.jp
Even if you cannot visit the farm, you can still purchase Yamada Bee Farm products online at duty-free prices through TaxFreeOnline.jp.
Supplements, cosmetics, honey products, and more can be purchased, and the items you buy can be picked up when you depart at Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, Kansai International Airport, or at partner hotels. This way, you do not have to worry about increasing your luggage during your trip.
TaxFreeOnline.jp is Japan’s first online duty-free e-commerce platform.
It allows international visitors to Japan to order food, cosmetics, and specialty products at duty-free prices via smartphone before or during their trip.
Duty-free procedures are completed smoothly by simply presenting your passport when receiving your order. Purchase online here.
Stores Where You Can Buy Yamada Bee Farm Products
In addition to Yamada Honeybee Farm itself, Yamada Bee Farm honey can be purchased at stores in Okayama, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hyogo.
| Store Name | Address |
|---|---|
| [[Okayama] Little Bee House](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/littlebeehouse.html) | 〒708-0393 187 Ichiba, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama |
| [[Okayama] Yamada Bee Farm Confectionery Studio BunBun Factory](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/bunbunfactory.html) | 〒708-0321 51-1 Ensoji, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama |
| [[Okayama] Yamada Bee Farm Aeon Mall Okayama](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/aeon_okayama.html) | 〒700-0907 Aeon Mall Okayama 1F, 1-2-1 Shimoishii, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama |
| [[Okayama] Okayama Tenmaya Yamada Bee Farm Shop](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/okayamatenmaya.html) | 〒700-8625 Okayama Tenmaya Tenchika FOOD GARDEN Yamada Bee Farm, 2-1-1 Omotecho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama |
| [[Okayama] Yamada Bee Farm Okayama Takashimaya](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/okayama_takashimaya.html) | 〒700-8520 Okayama Takashimaya B1F 6-40 Honmachi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama |
| [[Osaka] Yamada Bee Farm Kintetsu Abeno Harukas](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/abeno_solaha.html) | 〒545-8545 Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store Wing Building 3.5F, 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Okayama |
| [[Osaka] Yamada Bee Farm Hanshin Umeda Main Store](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/hanshinumeda.html) | 〒530-8224 3F Wellness Square 1-13-13 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka |
| [[Hyogo] Yamada Bee Farm Nishinomiya Gardens](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/nishinomiya_gardens.html) | 〒663-8204 Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens Main Building 1F, 14-2 Takamatsucho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo |
| [[Tokyo] Yamada Bee Farm Atre Kichijoji](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/atre_kichijoji.html) | 〒180-0003 Main Building B1F, 1-1-24 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino City, Tokyo |
| [[Tokyo] Yamada Bee Farm Yaechika](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/yaesu.html) | 〒104-0028 Yaesu Underground Mall, No. 1 Street, 2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku,Tokyo |
| [[Tokyo] Yamada Bee Farm Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/ikebukuro.html) | 〒171-8512 Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro 4F, Section 11, 1-1-25 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo |
| [[Tokyo] Yamada Bee Farm Odakyu Machida](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/odakyumachida.html) | 〒194-8550 Odakyu Department Store Machida 5F, 6-12-20 Haramachida, Machida City, Tokyo |
| [[Tokyo] Yamada Bee Farm Keio Department Store Shinjuku](http://beekeeper.3838.com/profile/shop/keio_shinjuku.html) | 〒160-8321 Keio Department Store Shinjuku 4F, 1-1-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
Wrap-up
This article has introduced the features and experiential programs of Yamada Honeybee Farm.
Its appeal lies in the fact that you can enjoy valuable experiences not easily available in urban areas, while also deepening your understanding of the natural environment and food.
You can also check out the official website of Yamada Bee Farm, which operates the Yamada Honeybee Farm.