A Highland Ranch Surrounded by Nature
Kozu Ranch lies on the eastern slopes of Mount Monomi, across a gently rolling highland ranging from approximately 850 to 1,375 meters above sea level.
The ranch covers approximately 387 hectares. Of this area, around 100 hectares are pastureland, approximately 261 hectares are forest, and about 26 hectares are used for ranch facilities.
The extensive landscape changes with the seasons. Fresh greenery, clear blue skies, cool mountain air, and colorful autumn foliage create a peaceful atmosphere far removed from urban life.
Brown-coated Jersey cattle graze across the pastures, while goats and ponies can also be seen on the ranch. The scenery has a distinctly alpine character, making a visit feel like a journey to a traditional European-style mountain farm.
Things to See and Do at Kozu Ranch
The Daily Cattle Parade
One of the most memorable sights at Kozu Ranch takes place shortly after 1:00 p.m. each day.
Approximately 90 cattle make their way in a long, relaxed procession from the pasture back to the cowshed. Watching the herd calmly walk together is one of the ranch’s signature experiences.
The viewing location may vary depending on the day, so visitors are advised to ask ranch staff where the best viewing area is when they arrive.
Hands-on Ranch Experiences
Kozu Ranch offers a variety of programs that allow visitors to interact with animals while learning about dairy farming and the importance of caring for living creatures.
Milking and Butter-Making Experiences
Milking and butter-making experiences are particularly popular. Visitors can try milking a cow themselves and make butter from cream, providing a fun and educational introduction to where dairy products come from.
Pony Rides and Walking Goats
Young children can enjoy pony rides and experiences involving walking goats. These activities are especially suitable for families looking for an interactive experience with farm animals.
Cattle-Herding Experience
On Saturdays, visitors may be able to join a special cattle-herding tour. In the evening, participants help guide the cattle toward the pasture.
This provides a rare opportunity to experience some of the everyday work of a real working ranch rather than simply observing the animals.
Stay Overnight and Enjoy the Outdoors
Lodges and Camping
Kozu Ranch offers lodging in a ranch lodge, which can be used not only by hikers but also by general visitors.
Camping is available during the summer season, with activities such as outdoor cooking and campfires adding to the experience. Staying overnight allows visitors to experience the highland environment after the daytime sightseeing crowds have gone.
Barbecue and Traditional Bathing
A riverside recreation park within the ranch provides space for barbecues, allowing visitors to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.
There is also a traditional Goemon-buro, a large Japanese-style metal bathtub heated with firewood. Experiencing a wood-fired bath in the highlands offers another memorable way to connect with the traditional rural lifestyle.
Hiking around Kozu Ranch
Mount Monomi Trail
The Mount Monomi Trail leads to the summit at approximately 1,375 meters. The hike takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, and viewpoints along the route offer impressive views across the Kanto Plain beyond Mount Myogi.
Happusan Trail
The Mount Happusan Trail offers beautiful views toward the Karuizawa area. The route generally takes approximately 1 to 2 hours one way and is considered relatively accessible compared with some of the area’s more demanding mountain routes.
Mount Arafune Trail
The Mount Arafune Trail leads toward Mount Arafune, which rises to 1,422.5 meters. The ascent takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, providing an opportunity to experience the expansive natural landscape surrounding the ranch.
Kozu Ranch Dairy Products
Rich Jersey Milk
Kozu Ranch’s Jersey milk is one of its best-known products.
The milk is pasteurized at 75°C for 15 minutes, a low-temperature pasteurization method designed to preserve the characteristic flavor of fresh milk. It has a rich aroma and creamy taste that reflects the high milk-fat content of Jersey cattle.
Drinkable Yogurt, Butter, and Cheese
The ranch also produces a range of dairy products.
Drinkable yogurt has a smooth, thick texture with a refreshing finish. Fermented butter is known for its rich aroma, while the seasonal Golden Butter is particularly popular during summer.
The ranch also produces several types of cheese, including Cheddar, Gouda, and mozzarella, giving visitors a chance to sample a variety of products made from milk produced at the ranch.
The Famous Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Kozu Ranch soft-serve ice cream is one of the ranch’s most popular treats, and queues can form at the shop on busy days.
It has a rich, creamy flavor while maintaining a relatively clean finish. Enjoying a freshly made soft-serve while looking out over the highland landscape is a classic Kozu Ranch experience.
The History of Kozu Ranch
The Vision of Kunitaro Kozu
Kozu Ranch was established by Kunitaro Kozu, who came from Shiga Village in the former Kitasaku District of Nagano Prefecture, now part of Saku City.
Opening a Western-style dairy farm in 1887 was a pioneering undertaking. At the time, modern dairy farming was not yet widely established in Japan.
Kunitaro Kozu’s forward-looking approach and willingness to introduce Western agricultural methods laid the foundation for what would become one of Japan’s most historic dairy farms.
Changes in Management
In 1921, the ranch was transferred to businessman Ginnosuke Tanaka. In 1935, management passed to Meiji Seika, later associated with Meiji Milk Industry.
After World War II, in 1945, the ranch received a philanthropic donation from silk merchant Jirohachi Ishibashi and was reorganized as a foundation. This marked a new chapter in its development as a ranch with a strong public and educational role.
In 2013, it received public-interest corporation status and became the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Kozu Ranch.
Today, the organization continues to promote dairy farming while also emphasizing education and research rather than focusing solely on commercial production.
Jersey Cattle and Research
Kozu Ranch keeps approximately 150 Jersey cattle. Jersey cows are known for producing milk with a relatively high butterfat content, resulting in a rich and full-bodied flavor.
The ranch uses its milk not only for drinking but also to develop products such as soft-serve ice cream, butter, cheese, and yogurt.
Kozu Ranch also accepts practical trainees and students from agricultural colleges and vocational schools. In addition, it conducts collaborative research with organizations such as the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization.
These activities contribute to the development of dairy-farming techniques and the training of future generations of agricultural professionals.
Access to Kozu Ranch
From Shimonita Station on the Joshin Electric Railway, take the Shimonita Bus City Noya Line toward Ichinokaya. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes to the final stop, followed by a walk of approximately 90 minutes.
Because the ranch is located in a mountainous area, traveling by private car is generally the most convenient option. The journey itself takes visitors through beautiful highland scenery before arriving at the expansive ranch grounds.
A Historic Ranch Where Nature and Dairy Farming Meet
Kozu Ranch offers a rare combination of Japanese agricultural history, highland scenery, animal experiences, and locally produced dairy foods.
Visitors can watch a herd of cattle return from the pasture, try milking or making butter, explore nearby mountain trails, and taste rich Jersey milk and freshly made soft-serve ice cream.
More than 130 years after its founding, the ranch continues to preserve the pioneering spirit of Japan’s early Western-style dairy farming while serving as a place for education, research, and interaction with nature.
For travelers interested in rural Japan, local food, animals, or the history of Japanese modernization, Kozu Ranch offers an especially memorable highland experience.