A Study on the Genealogy and Current Status of Farm Stays in Japan

Abstract

In recent years, the "farm stay" has become a popular avenue for rural development in Japan. The number of areas that engage in this kind of tourism are expected to grow in the future. The purpose of this study is to examine the prospects and problems of farm stays by reviewing the genealogy of Green Tourism (GT) and clarifying its current state. By organizing the flow of literature and related measures, the progression from GT to farm stays became clear. Additionally, our case study details the actual factors that currently relate to farm stays. These include: 1) the unstable demand from educational travel, which accounts for the majority of users, compared to the past demand; 2) an expectation that the demand from individual tourists and corporate training will increase; 3) rural experience programs, such as harvesting experience, not always being necessary; 4) the management of farm stays as a side business by managers; 5) a requirement of a certain amount of capital investment in order to win inbound customers; 6) the management of farm stays by rural residents who, in many cases, are not farmers; 7) young people finding it difficult to manage farm stays; and 8) a discussion as to whether hotels should be included in farm stays' accommodation facilities. Based on these facts, we can state that there is a difference between the farm stay's promotion measures implemented by the government and the actual situation.