What Is Oyaki?
A Traditional Shinshu Food Made with Local Ingredients
Oyaki is a traditional food from the Shinshu region of Nagano. A simple dough made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour is wrapped around a filling of vegetables, mountain vegetables, or other seasonal ingredients before being baked or steamed.
Popular fillings include Nozawana pickles, miso-seasoned green onions, pumpkin, and dried daikon radish. Their simple, hearty flavors have long made oyaki a familiar part of everyday home cooking in Nagano.
Food Born from a Mountainous, Snowy Landscape
Much of Shinshu is surrounded by mountains and experiences heavy snowfall. In areas where growing rice was difficult, wheat and buckwheat became important staple crops. Oyaki developed from this agricultural environment as a practical and nourishing way to make use of locally available grains and vegetables.
Traditionally, oyaki could be cooked around an irori hearth or even baked in hot ash. Over generations, it became part of everyday life and was enjoyed not only for breakfast and snacks but also as a special food for local celebrations and family occasions.
Irohado’s Distinctive Oyaki
A Long-Established Tradition of Handmade Oyaki
OYAKI FARM is operated by Irohado, a renowned maker that has been producing handmade oyaki for many years. Its selection includes savory varieties filled with maitake mushrooms, mixed vegetables, Nozawana, shimeji mushrooms, and wild mountain plants such as thistle, as well as sweet oyaki filled with sweet red bean paste.
A Unique Cooking Method
Irohado’s oyaki are made by wrapping the filling in a dough combining wheat flour and buckwheat flour. The filled dough is first lightly fried and then baked at high temperature in an oven.
This distinctive process creates a delicious contrast between the crispy, fragrant exterior and the soft, fluffy interior. The cooking method also helps bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients inside.
See How Traditional Oyaki Are Made
A Large-Scale Oyaki Factory
The factory at OYAKI FARM is one of the largest of its kind in Japan, producing approximately 5 million oyaki each year.
A dedicated viewing passage allows visitors to observe various stages of production, from preparing the fillings and shaping the dough to baking the finished oyaki. It is an opportunity to see how a traditional local food is produced on a modern scale while retaining its connection to traditional techniques.
Make Your Own Oyaki
A Hands-On Experience for Families and Travelers
OYAKI FARM also offers hands-on oyaki-making experiences. Participants can make their own original oyaki while learning about the traditional preparation methods.
The activity provides an enjoyable way to experience Shinshu’s food culture firsthand and is particularly popular with families and visitors looking for an interactive cultural experience.
A Café and Shop with Modern Takes on Oyaki
Creative Café Menu
The on-site café offers original coffee designed to pair well with oyaki, along with creative dishes and sweets made using oyaki dough.
Depending on the menu, visitors can enjoy unique creations such as oyaki-dough doughnuts, hot sandwiches, and ice cream sandwiches. These inventive offerings combine traditional ingredients and techniques with contemporary café culture.
Souvenirs from Nagano
The shop sells a variety of oyaki, Nagano specialties, and original OYAKI FARM merchandise, making it a convenient place to find souvenirs of your trip to Shinshu.
Enjoy the Scenery from the Sky Deck
Panoramic Views of the Chikuma River and Mountains
The second-floor sky deck offers sweeping views of the Chikuma River and the mountains stretching across the surrounding landscape.
With a freshly baked oyaki and a cup of coffee in hand, visitors can sit back and enjoy the magnificent natural scenery. It is a relaxing place to take a break during a day of sightseeing in Nagano.
Relax in the Outdoor Plaza
A Green Space for Walking and Resting
In front of the facility is a spacious outdoor area surrounded by greenery. It is a pleasant place to take a leisurely walk, relax, or enjoy the atmosphere after visiting the factory and café.
Special events are also held periodically, offering visitors new ways to enjoy the facility depending on when they visit.
Why Visit OYAKI FARM?
OYAKI FARM offers several ways to experience Nagano in one place: you can eat, learn, create, shop, and relax.
At the heart of the experience is oyaki, a humble yet deeply meaningful food that developed from the mountains, agriculture, and everyday life of Shinshu. By tasting freshly baked oyaki, seeing how they are produced, and trying to make them yourself, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Nagano’s local food culture.
Whether you are traveling with family, looking for an authentic local food experience, or simply want to enjoy a good meal with a scenic view, OYAKI FARM is a memorable stop for exploring Nagano.