[Experience Report] Family Trip Enjoyed with a Cottage Stay at “Feriendorf” in Nakasatsunai, Tokachi, Hokkaido

What is Feriendorf?

Just 5 minutes after exiting the Doto Expressway at Nakasatsunai IC.Outside the window spreads a gentle rural landscape of fields and pastures. Beyond that, a forest resort reminiscent of a European country town suddenly appears—this is “Feriendorf.”

Originally created based on Germany’s health-resort “Kurhaus,” the former “Nōson Kyūkamura Feriendorf” underwent a major renovation in 2021, reborn as a place where comfort and an extraordinary atmosphere blend seamlessly.

Within the forest, cottages inspired by traditional German architecture are scattered about. The moment you step out of the car, you’re enveloped by the soft scent of trees and an overseas ambiance. A quiet excitement fills your chest, sensing that the time ahead will be something special.

Feriendorf Experience — Day 1

Day one at Feriendorf is packed with fun—play, relaxation, meals, and more. First, here’s a quick overview of the day’s flow.

From here, we’ll share day one in chronological order with photos.

14:00—Athletics in the “Children’s Forest”

After entering the Feriendorf grounds and turning left at the first intersection, you’ll see the “Center House,” which serves as the hotel front desk, straight ahead.

A stately exterior modeled after a German city hall invites you into an exotic atmosphere.

Check-in starts at 15:00. Since we arrived a little early, we headed to the “Children’s Forest” athletics area right next to the Center House until check-in time.

The “Children’s Forest” features hand-built athletic equipment crafted by staff. Our daughter became hooked on the zip line, which thrills as it slices through the air.

Addictive speed as you glide with the wind.

Our son took a leisurely nap on the hammock.

In the forest, the hammock is a special seat just for kids.

Perhaps because we arrived early, we had the place to ourselves at first. As checkout time approached, more children showed up and the area gradually became lively.

Children’s laughter gently rippled the forest’s calm. That warm sound eased the tension from our workaday lives and slowly shifted us into vacation mode.

Staying in this relaxed mood, just imagining the cottage we were about to visit sent a small flutter of excitement through my chest. For the grown-ups, it truly felt like returning to childhood for a little while.

15:00—Check-in at the Center House

After plenty of play at the “Children’s Forest,” we headed to the Center House.

Smiling staff welcomed us at the front desk and kindly explained the rules for our stay. Their calm tone and helpful manner put first-time guests at ease.

One thing to decide here is the delivery time for your dinner ingredients. While the official site lists 16:00–19:00, on this day we were offered 18:00–19:00 and chose 18:30.

Since ingredients are delivered to your cottage, you must be in the room during that time slot. It’s smoothest to plan your first day’s schedule around this delivery window.

Once the paperwork was done, we explored the Center House.

In front of the large brick fireplace sit European antique-style sofas.

The shop is lined with BBQ ingredients, drinks, and local souvenirs. We had a dinner-included plan, but to feed our ever-hungry son we picked up extra “pork sausages” from the Shikaoi Sausage Factory.

Being able to pick up local ingredients on the spot is part of Feriendorf’s unique fun.

15:30—Meeting the Cottage for Tonight

We left the Center House and took a leisurely drive through the forest. Crossing a vast property said to be equivalent to 25 Tokyo Dome baseball fields, a German-style cottage appeared between the trees.

Driving through the woods toward the cottage

We stayed in the most basic type at Feriendorf—the “Superior Cottage.” What stood before us was a two-story building far larger than what you might picture when you hear “cottage.”

Catching sight of the spacious BBQ area in the yard made us instantly look forward to dinner.

This authentic cottage was designed by architect Wolfgang Wondisch, referencing houses actually used in Germany in the 20th century. It exudes old-world European charm and the warmth of wood not often found in modern buildings.

The kids, too excited to wait to go inside, fidgeted at the entrance. “Hold on—let’s take a picture!” I called, and we snapped a commemorative shot.

Open the door and a spacious living room greets you.

Attention to detail in the wallpaper and interior makes every angle picture-perfect.

The kids dashed around the cottage in delight—its size and the extraordinary setting sent their excitement soaring.

Bedrooms feature Slumberland beds, purveyor to the British Royal Family.

Beyond its beautiful looks, amenities are fully equipped—TV, refrigerator, kitchen, and shower room. The extraordinary feel coexists with home-like comfort, so even outdoor novices can relax.

16:00—[Summer Only] Vegetable Harvesting

My daughter and I joined the summer-only “Vegetable Harvesting Experience.” That day, we picked eggplants, tomatoes, and green peppers.

There are set rules—“one eggplant per person, and one of each of three types of cherry tomatoes”—but the limitations make it all the more fun. For kids, it’s a treasure hunt.

With the serious gaze of a treasure hunter, they search the field for the biggest, most delicious-looking vegetables.

Found a huge eggplant! A gasp of delight escapes.

Smiling with satisfaction, holding the cherry tomatoes she chose herself

The vegetables you choose and harvest yourself are then enjoyed at the BBQ.

Picking vegetables and eating them the very same day—an experience you rarely get. For children, it becomes a valuable bit of “food education,” letting them learn the journey from field to table.

Note that the “Vegetable Harvesting Experience” is offered only from 16:00 to 17:00, so keep that in mind when planning your schedule.

17:00—Relaxing in the Moor Hot Spring

After harvesting, we headed to the on-site hot spring “Tokachi Airport Spa Sora.” It’s a bit of a distance from the cottage, so driving is recommended. Since we planned to drink at the BBQ, we opted for a quick soak.

Guests receive free bathing tickets. You can bathe as much as you like during your stay, both that day and the next.

The open-air bath is surrounded by forest, with the sky opening wide above—full of freedom. Slip into the tub and the slightly brownish water gently wraps your skin.

A moor hot spring designated as a Hokkaido Heritage. Rich in plant-derived organic matter, it leaves your skin moist and silky after bathing.

As we soaked for a while, my son suddenly began talking about school and friends.
“So, the other day with ○○-kun…”—usually rambunctious, he spoke in a gentle voice that felt somehow new.

It’s hard to make “time just for the two of us” at home. Wrapped in steam, I felt our hearts open up even more.

18:30—Starting the BBQ Dinner

After a relaxing soak, it was dinner time. If you choose a dinner-included plan at Feriendorf, staff deliver a full BBQ set to your cottage at the time you specify.

Here’s what was on the menu that day:

• Seasonal vegetables
• Selected Hokkaido beef
• Fresh herb sausages
• Original pork curry
• Garlic-butter squid & shrimp
• Cold-smoked chicken wings (from Nakasatsunai)
• Hokkaido specialty—bone-in lamb
• Kamikomi pork loin
• Marshmallows

First, a toast with drinks in hand.

Then we grilled meat and vegetables at our own pace. The freedom to cook anything in any order is part of the charm of a family-only BBQ.

My personal favorite was the cold-smoked chicken wings made with Nakasatsunai chicken. Prepared by “cold smoking” at under 30°C for hours to weeks, they had a moist texture and an irresistible smoky aroma that filled your mouth.

The kids’ favorite was the original pork curry. Our daughter—who normally protests even a hint of spice—ate it eagerly thanks to its gentle flavor. Since it can be warmed quickly and served while you’re still grilling meat, it was a true lifesaver for a kid-friendly BBQ that tends to get hectic.

Mildly spiced curry that’s easy for kids to enjoy

Skewering and toasting that BBQ celebrity—marshmallows—is also a fun activity for children.

Their eyes grow serious as they toast marshmallows

The portions were bigger than expected—more than enough for our family of four. The extra sausages we’d bought at check-in never even got opened; we ended up taking them home.

20:00—Slow Conversation with the Family

About an hour and a half into the BBQ, our bellies were fairly full and our pace slowed.

It grew completely dark, the forest at night so deep you couldn’t see two meters ahead. Cut off from the everyday, it felt like we’d wandered into another world. All we could see were our family and the food before us.

Naturally, everyone’s faces settled into smiles like these.

Listening closely to each other and sharing laughs—we realized something:
“Even under the same roof, we rarely sit face-to-face and really talk like this.”

My wife and I are busy with work, housework, and childcare, and the kids are busy with school. Here, we found that rare “unhurried time to talk.”

Our BBQ time lasted about three hours.
Unlike our usual hurried dinners finished in 30 minutes, here “the meal itself becomes the highlight activity.”

Grill the food slowly over charcoal, savor the aroma and flavor, and laugh together as a family.
Those small exchanges transformed the evening into a “special memory.”

After a day of playing hard, eating well, and laughing lots, we returned to the cottage around 21:30, fell into a pleasant drowsiness, and slept soundly until morning.

Enjoy an “excellent BBQ” brimming with Tokachi ingredients at Feriendorf
(Book here)

Feriendorf Experience — Day 2

Thanks to a comfortable bed and natural light streaming through the window, we woke up feeling great on day two. Here’s the day’s schedule.

“Okay, what should we do today?” The kids were full of energy from the morning. Here’s a closer look at day two.

8:00—Relaxing Morning Forest Walk

To enjoy a forest stroll, we walked—about 10 minutes—the route to the Center House we’d driven the day before.

As you follow the path through the woods, birdsong reaches your ears and the fresh scent of trees fills your lungs.

At one point a small shadow darted across our feet—an Ezo squirrel scampered up a tree.
“Did you see that?!” The kids stopped in excitement, eyes shining as they watched its cute movements. Even just walking felt like an activity in itself.

Near the Center House, we found a small stable where three ponies were spending a leisurely morning.

We approached the fence to greet them. When one twitched its nose, the kids cried, “So cute!” Starting the day with animals brought a pleasant sense of fulfillment.

8:30—Breakfast at “Cafe Dinkels”

For breakfast, we headed to the on-site restaurant “Cafe Dinkels.”

The interior, inspired by rural Germany, is filled with the warmth of wood and soft morning light—very cozy.

Breakfast was a buffet that day. The counter was packed with dishes made from Hokkaido ingredients.

So many choices, it’s hard to pick. The “Gyu-toro Don” (beef tartare rice bowl) is a must-try.

A standout dish was Tokachi’s soul food, “Gyu-toro Don.” The beef fat slowly melts over the rice, and with the first bite the richness and sweetness spread across your palate—I couldn’t help but murmur, “Wow, that’s good…”

Both Japanese and Western options were abundant, letting everyone in the family enjoy exactly what they liked—an utterly satisfying breakfast.

9:00—Quiz Rally While Strolling

After breakfast, we tried the quiz rally. With a map in hand, we walked around the grounds searching for posted questions.

The questions are fairly challenging, perfect for lively teamwork and discussion.

“Maybe this way?” “No, the map says right!” We called out to each other as we went back and forth through the forest.

When we finished filling in all the answers, we returned to the front desk and handed in our answer sheet to receive a participation gift from Feriendorf. The kids beamed, “Yay!” as they took it.

The quiz rally in the great outdoors distributes questions from 8:00 to 9:00. It’s perfect for creating one last memory just before checkout, letting you savor the scenery and facilities one more time.

10:00—Checkout Time Draws Near

With only a little time left, a sense of reluctance grew. When I said, “It’s time to go,” our son looked a little glum.

Seeing that, my chest tightened a bit—but I also felt happy, thinking, “He really enjoyed it that much.” My wife and I exchanged a look and naturally said, “Let’s come back again.”

We packed up and headed to the Center House. Until checkout, the kids had one last play at the “Children’s Forest.”

Our daughter especially loved the zip line. “I rode it 150 times in total!” she boasted—surprising us that she’d been counting since yesterday.

“It’s totally different from other zip lines—kind of scary but so fun,” she said, her sparkling smile unforgettable.

After checking out, our family’s stay at “Feriendorf” drew to a close. The extra smiles and conversations—many times more than usual—left me with the feeling that “even years from now, this will stay in everyone’s hearts.”

For special time with your family in nature, choose “Feriendorf.”
(Check availability & book here)

Questions Before You Stay? I’ve Got Answers After My Visit!

If it’s your first cottage stay, lots of questions come to mind. Here I’ve summarized what we learned from our actual stay at Feriendorf in a Q&A format—use it as a reference when you plan your trip.

Q: How far are towels and amenities provided?
A: Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothbrushes, razors, and more are available at the Center House “Amenity Bar.”

Bath towels and hand towels are provided in the cottage. “Tokachi Airport Spa Sora” has spa-only towels, so there’s no need to bring the cottage towels.

Q: What should I bring, just in case?
A: You can basically come almost empty-handed, but these are the items we wished we’d had during our stay:

• Cooler box
  There’s a fridge, but it’s a distance from the BBQ area; handy for keeping drinks and food outside.
• Wet wipes
  Only dry kitchen towels are in the cottage. Essential for wiping hands and tables during BBQs.
• A light jacket & long pants
  Even in summer, nighttime temps can drop to around 20°C (68°F). The day–night temperature gap is big, so bring something warm.
• Hairbrush
  Not provided in the cottage or spa. Bring one if you need it. A hair dryer is provided.
• Pajamas
  Sleepwear isn’t provided, so bring something you’re comfortable in.

Q: What are check-in and check-out times?
A: Check-in from 15:00; check-out 8:00–10:00. For cottage stays, you can extend free until 11:00 without notice, so you can take it slow in the morning.

Q: Is there lights-out time?
A: There’s no set lights-out, but the BBQ area is open until 22:00. After that, please stay indoors.

Q: Can we do a BBQ hands-free?
A: With a dinner-included plan, ingredients and charcoal are delivered as a set. Up to 3 kg of charcoal is prepared in your room; additional charcoal can be purchased at the front desk. If you’re on a room-only plan, there’s a supermarket about 10 minutes away by car.

Q: Do we light the fire ourselves?
A: With a dinner-included plan, staff light the fire for you.
If the heat drops, you’ll add charcoal yourself, so it’s good to know the simple steps. For room-only stays, it’s fully self-service.

Q: Can we have a campfire?
A: Available only for guests in glamping cottages. If a campfire is a must, confirm your cottage type when booking.

Q: Are fireworks allowed?
A: Only handheld fireworks are allowed at a designated spot near the Center House. Aerial and ground-set fireworks are not permitted.

Q: How do we dispose of trash?
A: At checkout, separate your trash and take it to the collection point opposite the Center House. Sorting as you go during the BBQ makes things smoother.

【Sorting Example】

• Combustible waste
• Plastic waste
• Non-combustible (e.g., aluminum BBQ trays)
• Glass bottles
• Cans
• PET bottles

After a Special Time with Family in the Forest

Our one-night, two-day stay at Feriendorf became priceless time for our family.
The kids were absorbed in activities, and the adults were freed from daily busyness, savoring the unhurried flow of time.

What stood out most was enjoying dinner at our own pace. Over more than two hours, we fully savored the flavors of Tokachi and naturally fell into lively family conversation.

In everyday life, it’s surprisingly hard for the whole family to truly enjoy the same time, in the same place. Here, it happens effortlessly.

If your next family trip dreams of unhurried time in nature—add Feriendorf to your shortlist.

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