WHERE PRESCHOOL EXCHANGE BEGAN. AIMING TO BE THE WORLD'S BEST PRESCHOOL

Hazeru Child Care Center

HOKKAIDO, HOKKAIDO
school lunch: ◯
8:30 - 16:30

Acceptable age range

Start date Date of birth
Apr 2026 – Mar 2027 2020/4/2〜2026/4/1
Apr 2027 – Mar 2028 2021/4/2〜2027/4/1
Planner's Recommended Highlights
  • Driven to be the World's Best Preschool
  • The Town Where Preschool Exchange Began

Reviews

See all 6 reviews
.

Amazing one week at Assabu!

The Ming min family (5 years 8 months, 2 years 10 months)

1st time in the program

June 4, 2026

The coordinator and teachers were very patient. Our elder daughter had some adju... Read more

The coordinator and teachers were very patient. Our elder daughter had some adjustment issues on day 1 due to language barrier, but quickly settled down on day 2 in Hazeru. The kids love the outdoors and food! Hazeru facilities were amazing, and we love all the messages written by the teachers daily on seesaw app. The messages reassured us and we were happy to see them loving the school and environment!

Message to Preschool Teachers

Thank you for all the love and patient! They fondly remember the activities (strawberries picking, playing soil) and still greet in random Japanese language!

Message to Local People

My younger son loves the cottage - running up and down daily. The kids love the big outdoor space and had so much fun with bath tub! Thanks for keeping it so clean and equipped!

Number of People
4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
Children Age
5 years 8 months, 2 years 10 months
Period
1 Week (From May 10, 2026)
Educational Facility
Hazeru Child Care Center
Accommodation
保.O

A great snow experience!

The Zhang family (3 years 11 months, 2 years 3 months)

2nd time in the program

March 4, 2026

We love that there are more international exchange families taking part these da... Read more

We love that there are more international exchange families taking part these days, it's great to have conversations and exchanges with fellow parents.

Message to Preschool Teachers

Thank you for kindly taking care of Emilia & Damian over the 2 weeks we stayed. They enjoyed the snow play very much.

Number of People
4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
Children Age
3 years 11 months, 2 years 3 months
Period
2 Weeks (From Jan 25, 2026)
Educational Facility
Hazeru Child Care Center
Accommodation
Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. E
瑞.鄭

Dream come true

The Cheng family (4 years 7 months, 3 years 3 months)

1st time in the program

February 5, 2026

We appreciate that Japan Preschool Exchange program provide this kind of opportu... Read more

We appreciate that Japan Preschool Exchange program provide this kind of opportunity to those who want to live like a local Japanese life style.

Message to Preschool Teachers

Thanks so much to all the preschool teachers for your thoughtful and reliable care. We are so relieved when we put kids in school. Thank you for all the help, Nonoko sensei, thank you for your warm and friendly talking.

Message to Local People

This is our fist time to live in a wood house. The house is so pretty and cozy, we had a good time here. Thank you very much.

Number of People
4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
Children Age
4 years 7 months, 3 years 3 months
Period
2 Weeks (From Jan 25, 2026)
Educational Facility
Hazeru Child Care Center
Accommodation
Cottage: Asprara
.

Great!

The Simon family (6 years 5 months, 4 years 6 months, 1 year 9 months)

1st time in the program

January 3, 2026

Amazing experience for my children, the program is very well organized, the teac... Read more

Amazing experience for my children, the program is very well organized, the teachers are incredible, and the preschool itself is spectacular. It was the highlight of our trip and totally worth coming all the way from Canada for.

Message to Preschool Teachers

Nonoko and all the teachers were so thoughtful , kind, and fun. Wish we could stay even longer!

Message to Local People

Thank you for making us feel so welcome in Assabu

Number of People
5 People (2 Adults, 3 Children)
Children Age
6 years 5 months, 4 years 6 months, 1 year 9 months
Period
1 Week (From Dec 21, 2025)
Educational Facility
Hazeru Child Care Center
Accommodation
Cottage: Tokibi
宛.林

Excellent

The Lin family (5 years)

2nd time in the program

November 27, 2025

We are very grateful for this exchange program. Kai had a wonderful experience a... Read more

We are very grateful for this exchange program. Kai had a wonderful experience and enjoyed every day. His favorite memory is playing in the snow—it was his first time, and he had been looking forward to it even before coming to Japan. These two weeks brought him so much joy and confidence.

Message to Preschool Teachers

Thank you for welcoming Kai with such warmth and kindness. He felt safe, happy, and excited to learn and play every day. We truly appreciate your care and gentle support.

Message to Local People

Thank you for taking care of our family and making us feel so welcome. The environment was very clean, comfortable, and peaceful. Your hospitality made our stay truly memorable. We deeply appreciate it.

Number of People
5 People (3 Adults, 2 Children)
Children Age
5 years
Period
2 Weeks (From Nov 16, 2025)
Educational Facility
Hazeru Child Care Center
Accommodation
Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. C

Access

Hakodate Airport → Preschool

It takes about 2 hours by rental car from Hakodate Airport to the destination.

Haneda Airport → Preschool

The flight from Haneda Airport to Hakodate Airport takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. From the airport, it is about a 2-hour drive by rental car to the destination.

Tokyo Station → Preschool

It takes 4 hours and 30 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. From there, it is about a 1-hour drive by rental car to the destination.

Features of the Preschool

Feature 1

The center operates on the philosophy that "each child is the protagonist," focusing on "learning through play." Rather than imposing adult schedules or rules, educators prioritize the children's intrinsic desire to try new things, providing an environment that encourages spontaneous creativity and challenge.

Feature 2

Aiming to be the "best early childhood center in the world," Hazeru features a vast, meticulously designed outdoor playground built on a former park. Children can freely run under big open skies, climb natural mounds, and explore indoors where high ceilings, local wooden structures, and bouldering walls offer endless excitement.

Feature 3

As Japan's first facility to offer a "Preschool Exchange" program, it actively welcomes families from outside the region. Children enjoy locally sourced, highly praised school lunches and participate in rich agricultural experiences—such as potato harvesting and blueberry picking—unique to Assabu, the birthplace of the May Queen potato.

A Day of the Children

A day of the children 1

Children deciding their own daily adventures!

A day of the children 2

Endless outdoor free play!

A day of the children 3

Deeply focused and immersed in their favorite indoor activities.

A day of the children 4

Preparing lunch together with teachers and friends.

A day of the children 5

After a rest, it's back to energetic play in the afternoon.

View All Preschool Information

Accommodation

Cottage: Asprara

Cottage: Asprara
1/14

6

min
View All Information

No floor plan available

Accommodation Type

JPE House

Capacity

8 people

Kitchen

Private Kitchen

Bedroom

Futon

Bathroom

Bathtub Available

Laundry

Washing Machine

Features

Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool

Work Environment

Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. F

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. F
1/7

6

min
View All Information
Floor plan Floor plan Floor plan Floor plan

Accommodation Type

Whole building rental

Capacity

8 people

Kitchen

Private Kitchen

Bedroom

Bed, Futon

Bathroom

Bathtub Available

Laundry

Washing Machine

Features

Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool

Work Environment

Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. G

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. G
1/8

4

min
View All Information
Floor plan

Accommodation Type

Whole building rental

Capacity

10 people

Kitchen

Private Kitchen

Bedroom

Bed, Futon

Bathroom

Bathtub Available

Laundry

Washing Machine

Features

Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool

Work Environment

Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. H

Chotto Gurashi House: Bldg. H
1/7

3

min
View All Information
Floor plan

Accommodation Type

Whole building rental

Capacity

10 people

Kitchen

Private Kitchen

Bedroom

Bed, Futon

Bathroom

Bathtub Available

Laundry

Washing Machine

Features

Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool

Work Environment

Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available

Destination

HOKKAIDO, HOKKAIDO

Local Cuisine Experience
Food / JapaneseCuisine

Local Cuisine Experience

Families can enjoy cooking and tasting traditional dishes made with Assabu's rich local ingredients, including the famous May Queen potatoes. A knowledgeable food coordinator will introduce these delicious regional products and share the best local ways to prepare and enjoy them.

Kamisato Hot Springs
City Guide / Sightseeing

Kamisato Hot Springs

Located near the accommodation, this newly renovated hot spring is completely family-friendly. Enjoyed by both locals and visitors, the simple thermal waters are excellent for relieving fatigue. The facility also features a highly popular sauna and open-air bath (rotenburo).

Seasonal Harvesting Experiences
Nature & Wellness

Seasonal Harvesting Experiences

Families can enjoy hands-on food experiences that capture the essence of each season. Activities include harvesting asparagus and blueberries in the summer, or observing the cultivation of shiitake and wood ear mushrooms in the autumn and winter. (Please note: These local activities require a separate booking from the Preschool program.)

Assabu Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki)
City Guide / Sightseeing

Assabu Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki)

Frequented by locals, this roadside station feels like a lively daily farmers' market offering fresh regional ingredients. As a warm welcome from the town, visiting families will receive a complimentary assortment of freshly picked vegetables from local farmers upon arrival.

Sample Itinerary

Model Course 1

In Assabu town, famous for its May Queen potatoes, visitors can enjoy a hands-on potato harvesting experience. The season runs from August to September. You can take the freshly harvested potatoes home as a delicious souvenir. Additionally, Uzura Hot Springs is just a short walk away, making it easy to enjoy a relaxing day-trip soak after the harvest.

Model Course 2

Boasting a rich natural environment with forests, lakes, and hot springs, it naturally captivates visiting tourists. Furthermore, since Assabu town has its own ski resort, visitors can easily enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

View All Destination Information

647,700 JPY~

2 adults · 1 child · 1 week