Experience life as a rice farmer on the Urato Islands!

Spend two days and one night as one of the islanders in the beautiful Urato Islands in Matsushima Bay!
Throw yourself into island life, soaking up the stunning scenery, savouring local flavours from blessings of the ocean and fields, and getting your hands dirty helping out on the farm! With few young people left on the islands to carry out work of local agricultural and fisheries industries, make a difference through your visit by offering your time and physical help to the local farmers. Be rewarded with warm hospitality, new experiences and new connections with the locals, who will make you feel right at home!
End your visit with the ultimate ‘island time’ experience, a private lunch at Matsushima Bay’s most unique restaurant – the ‘Island Table’ – floating in the middle of the bay! Recalling the faces of the islanders and producers you have crossed paths with during your journey, enjoy a full course meal made from local ingredients produced on the islands (including rice that you helped with, of course!) paired with local sake, tea and a side of ocean breeze ~

Day One

9：00
Meet your guide at passenger terminal ‘Marine Gate Shiogama’.

Jump aboard the Urato Islands Ferry bound for Hojima.
Along the way, the ferry will stop at Katsurashima Island, Nonoshima Island, Ishihama Wharf and Sabusawa Island. Take in views of the local aquaculture – oysters, nori and wakame – as you pass through Matsushima Bay, and enjoy the scenes of island life as you watch locals and visitors ‘hop’ between the islands.

10：30
Arrive at Sabusawa island, where your guide, Togawa-san, will be waiting for you with a brilliant white smile beaming from his sun-tanned face!

Spend the morning exploring the island with Togawa-san, discovering hidden spots that only a local would know as you learn about the fascinating history and culture of the Urato Islands.

Drop-by Togawa-san’s field to pick some fresh veggies to eat with lunch!

12：30
Return to ‘Togawa-ya’, the cosy minshuku (guesthouse) run by Togawa-san and his wife, Eiko-san. Tuck-in to a delcious meal featuring fresh ingredients from the land and sea of Urato Islands. Be blown away by the generous hospitality as Eiko-san tells you it’s ‘nothing much’ !

13：30
Fuelled-up on island blessings, it’s time to show your gratitude and get to work on the farm! There are few young hands on the islands to support the local agricultural and fisheries industries. Use your visit to make a difference by providing support to the Togawa’s with your time and your own two hands.

15：30
After all that hard work, it’s time to settle down for the evening and enjoy the quiet of island life. Embrace the serenity of ‘island time’ and watch the sun go down over Matsushima Bay.

Spend the evening at your ‘second home’, chatting with the Togawa’s over some more ‘island-meshi’ and a glass of ‘Sabusawa’ sake, made from Togawa-san’s rice.

Day Two

Awaken to another beautiful day on the islands! Enjoy some ‘island time’ before breakfast and saying goodbye to the Togawas.
Enjoy another local experience by calling for a ‘tosen’, one of the free shuttle-ferries that operates between Sabusawa and neighbouring Nonoshima-island.

8：30
Waiting for you on the other side will be Endo-san, your next island guide! Endo-san was born and raised on Nonoshima, and knows every in and out of the island. Learn directly from him about the history, culture and lifestyle of Nonoshima, as you walk towards ‘Gakkohama’ Beach.

9：00
Having experienced the unique scenery of Urato from the land, next its time to explore on the water! Jump aboard one of Endo-san’s sea-kayaks and spend an hour or so paddling on the clear blue water of Matsushima Bay, passing by oyster farms, fishing boats and tiny islands.

11：30
Paddle around the headland and be greeted with a once-in-a-lifetime sight – a floating restaurant situated right next to the oyster farms, manned by a private local chef! Alight your kayak and take your seat, surrounded by 360 degree views of the islands and Matsushima Bay.

Recalling the faces of the islanders and producers you have crossed paths with during your journey, enjoy a full course meal made from local ingredients produced on the islands (including Togawa-san’s sasanishiki rice, of course!) paired with local sake, tea and a side of ocean breeze!

14：23
Return to shore and ‘reality’ with a new appreciation of the islands, the producers, and the future of the Urato Islands!
‘Island time’ flies by, and before you know it you’ll hear the approach of the Urato Island Ferry heading back to the mainland.
Say goodbye to the islands – but not for long. Your new friends will be waiting to welcome you ‘home’ to Urato Islands soon!

Trial period	May 1, 2022 – October 31, 2022
Size	2 – 8 persons
Price	2persons：87,000yen / person 4persons：56,000yen / person 6persons：45,500yen / person 8persons：40,500yen / person ※With through interpreter guide：＋30,000yen
Sign-up Deadline	Reservation accepted one month prior to tour date
Reserve	Request Reservation（Click here to request）
Contact	Inoutbound Sendai Matsushima Inc. tours@inoutbound.co.jp