What Is Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Farm? Explore Utsunomiya's Expansive Bamboo Forest
Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Farm, in northern Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, offers bamboo forest walks, nighttime illuminations, and hands-on bamboo activities.
Make time in your Utsunomiya sightseeing itinerary to gaze up at the towering bamboo and listen to its rustling leaves.
Walk Through a Bamboo Forest Preserved by a Bamboo Shoot and Chestnut Farm
Wakayama Farm grows bamboo shoots and chestnuts with an emphasis on healthy soil, while continually managing the bamboo forest through thinning and other care.
Of its approximately 24 hectares of farmland, set against the Nikkō mountain range, about 21 hectares are bamboo forest, home to roughly 100,000 bamboo stalks.
Three generations of the family have farmed this land for more than 100 years, tending the bamboo forest through annual thinning without interruption.
Today, the forest is open to the public and is also used as a filming location for movies and commercials.
Knowing that crop cultivation underpins this carefully maintained landscape may draw your attention to the spacing of the bamboo and the light within the forest.
Look for Kinmei Mōsō Bamboo and Tortoiseshell Bamboo
Around the grounds, look for bamboo varieties with distinctive forms, including Kinmei Mōsō-chiku (golden-striped mōsō bamboo) and Kikkō-chiku (tortoiseshell bamboo).
Kinmei Mōsō bamboo has yellow stems with green vertical stripes, while tortoiseshell bamboo has alternately swollen joints near its base, creating a pattern reminiscent of a tortoise's shell.
Kinmei Mōsō bamboo is described as a rare variety, with some growing sites designated as Natural Monuments.
After taking in the forest as a whole, examine the details to enjoy the different colors and shapes along your walk.
Wakatake-no-Mori Highlights and Bamboo Forest Photography Tips
Noticing the height of the bamboo overhead, the depth of the paths, and the light filtering through the leaves can transform how you see the forest.
When taking photographs, follow on-site guidance and stop where others still have room to pass.
Compose Your Photos Around Filtered Light and Layers of Bamboo
Let the day's light guide your view, whether it is sunlight shining through the leaves on a clear day or shades of green under cloudy skies.
Before taking a picture, pause to watch and listen to the leaves moving in the wind, and you may notice details you would miss simply walking through.
The following table suggests compositions for different impressions you may want to capture.
| Impression to Capture | Where to Look | Composition Tip |
|---|---|---|
| The height of the bamboo | Upward along the stems | Look up and shoot vertically |
| The depth of the forest | Toward the continuing path | Include both foreground and background |
| The delicacy of the leaves | Toward leaves lit from behind | Use contrasts of light and shade |
Take Unkai: A Sea of Clouds Beneath the Bamboo
The grounds include an area called Take Unkai (bamboo sea of clouds), where fine mist creates a cloudlike landscape around the base of the bamboo.
Introduced on July 1, 2026, Take Unkai uses dry-fog technology to spray ultrafine mist for several minutes approximately every 10 minutes.
This is an equipment-generated effect rather than a naturally occurring sea of clouds, and its appearance varies with temperature, humidity, wind, and other conditions.
The stated operating hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, extending to 9:00 p.m. from June through August.
It is scheduled to pause from December through February to prevent freezing, and weather or equipment conditions may cause changes, so check the operating information if this is a priority for your visit.
Reserve Ahead for Cosplay, Pre-Wedding, and Commercial Photography
Cosplay, portrait, pre-wedding, and commercial photography require advance reservations or consultation.
Although ordinary admission does not require a reservation, these types of photography need advance arrangements.
Apply for cosplay or portrait photography through the official website's application form, and request pre-wedding shoots or commercial filming for movies and advertisements by phone or email.
If you plan to use photography equipment, checking the conditions with the farm beforehand can also prevent misunderstandings on the day.
Wakayama Farm Activities: Matcha in Bamboo Cups and Bamboo Crafts
At Wakatake-no-Mori, you can combine a bamboo forest walk with experiences using bamboo as a drinking vessel or craft material.
Check the dates and availability of your preferred activities before scheduling them around your walk.
Matcha in a Bamboo Cup on Weekends and Public Holidays
On weekends and public holidays, the teahouse inside the bamboo forest serves matcha in bamboo cups.
The tea comes with a small sweet, and you can take your bamboo cup home, giving you a chance to experience bamboo as an everyday material.
Matcha in a bamboo cup is listed at 900 yen in addition to admission, and a discounted combination with admission is also available.
Service is available from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with last orders at 6:30 p.m.
After walking beneath the tall bamboo, turn your attention to the texture of the cup in your hands to appreciate another side of the same material.
Bamboo Craft Options and Prices
Bamboo craft activities include making bamboo lanterns, chopsticks, water guns, and bows and arrows.
Bamboo lanterns cost 1,500 or 2,000 yen depending on size, chopsticks cost 1,100 yen, and bows and arrows or water guns cost 750 yen each; activities take approximately 15 minutes or more.
You can sign up throughout the day from 10:00 a.m. until the evening.
Individuals do not need reservations, but there may be a wait, and activities may be unavailable depending on staffing.
Contact the farm ahead of time for group participation, and ask about age-appropriate options when joining with children.
Relax in a Hammock Among the Bamboo
You can also spend time in a hammock in the bamboo forest for 550 yen per hour, in addition to admission.
Set up a hammock at a spot you like and relax while listening to bamboo leaves rustling in the breeze.
If you would like to try it, ask at reception how the activity works before heading into the forest.
Seasonal Harvest Activities: Bamboo Shoots and Blueberries
The farm also offers seasonal experiences such as digging bamboo shoots in spring and picking blueberries in summer.
Bamboo shoot harvesting runs from mid-April to early May and costs 1,000 yen per kilogram of shoots dug, in addition to admission.
Blueberry picking takes place in July and August and costs 500 yen in addition to admission, including a 200 g pack and tastings.
Bamboo shoots alternate between high-yield and low-yield years, and 2027 is expected to be a low-yield year.
Harvest seasons vary from year to year, so check whether activities will be available on your travel dates.
If you want to harvest, ask at reception how to participate, and do not pick plants you find during your walk without permission.
Wakayama Farm Bamboo Forest Illumination: Dates and Visitor Tips
Bamboo forest illuminations normally take place on weekends and public holidays, revealing outlines and layers of light that differ from the daytime scenery.
Dates for special winter programs vary by year and event, so check official announcements if you hope to visit on a weekday evening.
If the nighttime scenery is your main reason for visiting, decide your visit date and return transportation in advance.
Compare Daytime Greenery with Nighttime Lights
During the day, the color of the leaves and the forest's expanse draw the eye, while at night the illuminated bamboo takes center stage.
The lights begin coming on before sunset, with the starting time changing according to sunset, so check that day's information rather than assuming a fixed time throughout the year.
To enjoy both day and night, work backward from your journey home and allow time for activities and breaks.
Illumination Costs Admission Plus an Additional Fee
The additional illumination fee is 600 yen for adults, 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 200 yen for preschool children ages 3–5.
Including regular admission, the total is 1,500 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 500 yen for ages 3–5; children ages 2 and under enter free.
Advance reservations are not required to view the illuminations.
Check individual announcements for special event details and dates, and avoid confusing their participation requirements with those for the regular illuminations.
Bamboo Winter Lights: A Special Winter Illumination
For the 2026 winter season, Bamboo Winter Lights 2026 is scheduled on weekends and public holidays from Saturday, November 28, 2026, through Sunday, February 28, 2027.
The lights run from sunset to 8:00 p.m., with last admission at 7:30 p.m., and the farm is scheduled to close from December 30 through January 3.
Highlights during the event include bamboo lanterns scattered throughout the forest and works by bamboo artists.
Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Farm: Access, Opening Hours, and Admission
If you are traveling by public transportation, use JR Utsunomiya Station as your starting point and plan your time at the farm around your return service.
The address is 2018 Takaragi-honchō, Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture; search maps for the full name Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Farm.
About 24 Minutes by Kantō Bus from JR Utsunomiya Station
JR Utsunomiya Station is approximately 50 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen.
From JR Utsunomiya Station, combine a local bus ride with a short walk.
- At JR Utsunomiya Station's west exit, board Kantō Bus route 52, 56, or 58.
- Ride for about 24 minutes and get off at the Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Nōjō bus stop.
- Walk approximately 400 m, or about 5 minutes, from the stop to the farm.
By taxi, the journey from Utsunomiya Station takes approximately 20 minutes.
Before boarding, check the destination and which stops the bus serves, and look up your return boarding point and departure time as well.
Saving the Japanese facility name and bus stop name on your phone can help when explaining your destination to a driver or information staff.
About 10 Minutes by Car from Utsunomiya Interchange
By car, exit at Utsunomiya Interchange on the Tōhoku Expressway or Nikkō-Utsunomiya Road, then follow Nikkō Kaidō (National Route 119) toward central Utsunomiya for approximately 3 km.
Pass the second traffic light after the Utsunomiya IC Iriguchi intersection, turn right at the unsignalized T-junction, and continue about 300 m to arrive.
The farm is approximately 120 km from central Tokyo, with a typical driving time of about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Adult Admission Is 900 Yen, with No Reservation Needed for Regular Entry
Regular admission is 900 yen for adults ages 16 and over, 600 yen for elementary and junior high school students ages 6–15, and 300 yen for preschool children ages 3–5; ages 2 and under enter free.
Advance reservations are not required for ordinary bamboo forest admission, but are required for a guided bamboo forest tour.
A bamboo forest guide costs 6,000 yen for a group of up to approximately 50 people.
Admission is also stated to cover re-entry on the same day; if you leave temporarily, ask reception about the re-entry procedure.
Online tickets are also available.
Closing Times Vary by Day of the Week and Season
Regular opening hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, extending to 9:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays from June through August.
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing, and the farm is closed over the New Year period.
Activity and teahouse reception hours differ from admission hours, so check the farm's information according to how you want to spend your visit.
The official website also has English-language pages where you can check opening hours and prices in English.
Stop at the Café Between Walks
The farm also has Wakatake-no-Mori Cafe & Restaurant, open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays, extending to 7:00 p.m. from June through August.
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m., with last orders at 2:30 p.m., and table reservations are available outside peak periods.
It is closed on Tuesdays and has additional irregular closures, so check its operating days if you plan to eat there.
What to Wear for a Bamboo Forest Walk and Visitor Etiquette
Choose comfortable walking shoes and clothing suited to the weather for your outdoor visit, so you can focus on enjoying the scenery.
Alongside preparing for photographs and activities, take care to protect the bamboo forest and share it considerately with other visitors.
Prioritize Comfortable Walking and Weather Preparation
Wear shoes you are used to walking in, bring rain gear if rain is forecast, and pack an extra layer you can put on or take off for cold weather or an evening visit.
When visiting with children, keep an eye on their footing and surroundings even while taking photographs, and plan for breaks to keep the visit comfortable.
If you have concerns about using a wheelchair or stroller, ask the farm in advance about surfaces and access in the areas you want to explore.
Be Considerate of Plants and Other Visitors
Do not break bamboo or damage its surface, and keep observation and photography within the designated areas.
If someone enters the background of your photograph, share the space and avoid occupying one spot for too long so everyone can enjoy taking pictures.
The table below summarizes basic considerations for different situations during your walk.
| Situation | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Observing plants | Enjoy their shapes with your eyes | Breaking or damaging them |
| Taking photographs | Leave enough room for people to pass | Occupying a spot for a long time |
| Dealing with trash | Plan to take it home | Leaving it on the grounds |
| Joining a harvest activity | Ask reception how to participate | Picking without permission |
Planning Your Wakayama Farm Visit
At Wakatake-no-Mori Wakayama Farm, combine a walk through a carefully maintained bamboo forest with matcha in a bamboo cup, bamboo crafts, or nighttime illuminations to experience bamboo in different ways.
Decide whether to enjoy the daytime scenery or stay for the evening lights, then check event dates, reception hours, and return transportation.
Explore Utsunomiya's bamboo forest at your own pace, taking in the colors of the bamboo and the sounds of its leaves.
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