Every year, hills of lovely nemophilas start showing up all over my feed, and while Hitachi Seaside Park usually gets all the attention (especially for travelers based in Tokyo), I decided to do something a bit different: I went to Mother Farm in Chiba. A little more under the radar, a lot more farm-y, and as it turns out, a pretty great day trip with a whole lot more to it than just flowers.

Oh, and if you’re looking to visit more instagrammable floral wonders in Japan this spring, why not add Fuji Shibazakura Festival to your list?

The Nemophila Field – Not Huge, But Still Worth It

Let’s start with the main draw: the nemophila field at Mother’s Farm. I’ll be honest—it wasn’t as big as I expected. If you’re picturing those iconic, endless blue hills like you see in Hitachi Seaside Park, this won’t quite match that scale. But it’s big enough to stroll through comfortably, take your time, and soak up the color without feeling overwhelmed—or crowded.

The flowers are planted in neat rows that curve gently along the slope of a hill, which gives the field a nice layered look when viewed from different angles. From the top of the hill, you get a wide-open view of the surrounding countryside—a backdrop of green hills and blue sky that pairs perfectly with the soft baby blue of the nemophila.

And here’s the best part: it didn’t feel like a photo-op trap. There were fewer people, and the space was open enough that you didn’t have to wait or fight for the “perfect” shot. I could just stand there and enjoy it, camera in hand or not. It had a slower pace, and that really added to the charm.

While it may not be the most dramatic nemophila display in Japan, it felt more personal—like a local secret rather than a bucket-list crowd-magnet. Definitely worth the visit if you’re after a quiet spring bloom experience close to Tokyo.

You can check their official website for current bloom updates and visitor info—it’s helpful for planning around peak season.

What Else to Do at Mother’s Farm Besides Nemophila

While the nemophila field is the seasonal highlight, Mother’s Farm is much more than just a flower-viewing spot. It’s a sprawling, multi-zoned park that combines a working farm, seasonal gardens, animal attractions, and family-friendly amusements—all nestled in the hills of Chiba. With the map in hand, it’s easy to plan a route through the various areas, each with its own personality and things to do. Here’s a breakdown of the main zones to explore during your visit.

Animal Land (アグロドーム・ふれあい牧場エリア)

Animal Land is one of the most active and lively parts of the farm. It centers around the Agrodomes, where you can catch the famous sheep shows. These performances showcase different sheep breeds from around the world, with commentary that’s easy to follow even if your Japanese is limited.

It’s surprisingly entertaining to watch sheep be guided through tasks or sheared onstage by skilled staff. Surrounding the domes, you’ll find the interactive petting zones where you can feed and touch goats, sheep, and sometimes rabbits or guinea pigs, depending on the season.

Further along, there are pony rides and hands-on activities like cow milking, which are great for kids but equally amusing for adults who haven’t had a chance to experience real farm life. This area gives you a real sense of connection to the animals and is a big part of what sets Mother’s Farm apart from other flower-viewing destinations.

Waku Waku Bus Route and Getting Around

Because Mother’s Farm is set across a wide area of hilly terrain, it’s worth taking advantage of the Waku Waku Bus. This rainbow-colored shuttle loops around the major sections of the farm and makes it much easier to explore without tiring yourself out on foot. Riding the bus also gives you a great overview of the layout—you’ll pass flower fields, barns, open pastures, and scenic spots that you might otherwise overlook. It’s a quirky, fun way to get around, and definitely worth hopping on at least once. Main boarding points are usually located near the West Gate, the restaurant area, and close to the animal domes.

Flower Zones

In addition to the nemophila slope, Mother’s Farm maintains a variety of seasonal flower displays throughout the year. The main bloom area is known as the Flower Hill, and while it’s covered with nemophila in spring, it transitions into poppies, cosmos, or other blooms depending on the season.

If you’re visiting in late March to early April, you’re likely to catch tulips or bright yellow rapeseed blossoms in areas closer to the West Gate or along the perimeter walking trails. These flower beds are well maintained and beautifully arranged, creating perfect spots for a quiet walk or casual photography.

What’s nice about the way Mother’s Farm handles flowers is that they aren’t confined to one single field—you encounter different colors and textures as you move through the park, making it feel like the landscape is changing as you go.

Amusement Area

The amusement zone adds a retro charm to the farm experience. It features a classic Ferris wheel that gives you sweeping views of the entire park and the surrounding countryside. From the top, you can see the nemophila field, the livestock areas, and even glimpses of Tokyo Bay on a clear day.

There are a few small rides here, including a miniature roller coaster and gentle rides suited for kids, as well as a simple maze and a bungee trampoline setup. The whole space has an old-school Japanese amusement park vibe—nothing flashy, but nostalgic and sweet in its own way. It’s a fun stop whether you’re visiting with children or just want a bit of lighthearted fun during your visit.

Observation Deck and Scenic Areas

If you’re after a peaceful break, head toward the observation deck, located on one of the higher ridges of the farm. This area offers wide panoramic views of the Bōsō Peninsula’s rolling hills and, on especially clear days, you might even spot the distant Tokyo skyline or the glimmer of Tokyo Bay. It’s a great spot to sit with a drink or snack and just take it all in.

Nearby, you’ll find several picnic areas, some shaded and some with open grass. These areas are less crowded than the zones near the gates or main attractions, and they’re ideal if you brought your own lunch or picked up something from one of the vendors on-site.

Food and Shopping Area

The food and shopping area near the center of the farm is where you’ll find most of the dining options. I had the Genghis Khan set here (more on that below!), which is one of Mother’s Farm’s signature meals. The setup is casual: vegetables are pre-packaged and you choose your preferred meat to grill at your table.

While it wasn’t the best lamb dish I’ve had in Japan, it was still satisfying, and the fun of grilling your own meal added to the overall experience. The restaurant was fairly quiet when I visited, and the staff were quick and polite, making for a smooth, stress-free meal. Besides the restaurant, there are food stalls throughout the park offering soft cream made with fresh farm milk, crispy croquettes, yakisoba, and seasonal snacks.

The souvenir shops carry a nice variety of items—local dairy products like cheese and yogurt, baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and animal-themed gifts that are perfect for bringing back something from your trip.

Navigating the Farm

Because of its scale and spread-out attractions, having a map makes a huge difference at Mother’s Farm. I recommend starting your visit at the West Gate, taking a full ride on the Waku Waku Bus to get a feel for the layout, and then choosing the zones that appeal to you most. Whether you’re visiting for the flowers, the animals, the food, or just a change of pace from Tokyo life, Mother’s Farm offers a refreshing mix of nature and fun that you can take entirely at your own pace.

Dining at Mother’s Farm – Grilling Genghis Khan and More

After walking the nemophila fields and wandering through the sheep zone, I was more than ready to eat—and since Genghis Khan (ジンギスカン) is one of the farm’s specialties, I headed to the main restaurant near the center of the grounds. It’s set up kind of like a casual, cafeteria-style dining hall where you grab a tray, choose your ingredients, and then grill everything yourself at the table.

The process was straightforward. You pick your meat—lamb, pork, or beef—from the counter, and the vegetables come pre-packaged in little trays. It’s not fancy plating or anything, but it’s all pretty neat and organized. I went with lamb, of course—it just felt right on a farm like this. They also give you a dipping sauce that’s slightly sweet and soy-based, which paired really nicely with the grilled meat.

I’ll be honest: flavor-wise, it wasn’t the best Genghis Khan I’ve had in Japan. The lamb was decent, but not particularly rich or tender. Still, I wasn’t disappointed. There’s something just fun about cooking your own food over the little table grill, especially after spending the morning outside. The restaurant wasn’t very crowded when I visited, so it felt relaxed and unhurried. The staff were friendly, and the whole experience was smooth from start to finish.

If Genghis Khan isn’t your thing, there are other options around the farm too. There’s another diner-style restaurant nearby that serves things like ribeye steak sets and homemade sausages, and I spotted a smaller café offering curry rice and farm-fresh soft cream. If you’re just after a snack, there are also food stands around the park with croquettes, yakisoba, and milk-based sweets. The soft serve in particular seemed popular—and with their own dairy cows on site, it makes sense.

All in all, the meal wasn’t a highlight for its taste, but it was still a fun and satisfying break. After hours of walking through flower fields and animal enclosures, sitting down and cooking my own lunch at a table with a countryside view felt like part of the whole Mother Farm experience. If you’re hungry while you’re there, definitely try it at least once.

A Spring Day That’s More Than Just Flowers

If you’re planning a spring day trip from Tokyo and thinking about seeing nemophila, Mother’s Farm in Chiba offers something a little different. The nemophila field itself isn’t the biggest or most dramatic in Japan—so if you’re after that iconic, endless sea of blue, there are other spots that might suit you better. But what Mother’s Farm does give you is an incredibly well-rounded day out: fresh air, rolling views, peaceful flower paths, and the kind of easy, countryside fun that’s hard to come by without leaving the city far behind.

In many ways, the nemophila are just a lovely bonus. They add color and a sense of seasonality to what’s already a genuinely enjoyable place. Between the animals, the scenery, the food, and the open space, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down, reset a little, and not feel pressured to chase “the perfect photo.” You get to breathe. To watch sheep instead of screens. To cook your own lunch and not think about notifications for a while.

So would I recommend it for nemophila alone? Probably not. There are places more focused on floral impact. But if you’re looking for a fun, low-pressure spring outing that also happens to include a walk through a beautiful blue hillside, then yes—Mother’s Farm is absolutely worth it.