Urakawa Friend Forest Kindergarten
Acceptable age range
| Start date | Date of birth |
|---|---|
| Apr 2026 – Mar 2027 | 2020/4/2〜2024/4/1 |
| Apr 2027 – Mar 2028 | 2021/4/2〜2025/4/1 |
- Spacious forest and wooden schoolhouse as the daily playground
- One of Japan’s leading thoroughbred regions, rich in nature
Reviews
See all 2 reviewsUnforgettable Moments at Urakawa
The Benny chow family (6 years, 4 years 8 months)
1st time in the program
November 1, 2026
It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. When our children told us t... Read more
It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. When our children told us to fetch them home later, they woke up early to prepare for school; we know they are happy.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Thank you for taking care of Natalie and Natasha. They already miss you.
Message to Local People
We had a wonderful time, so much fun exploring the town and visiting the nearby festivals. We had Mai from town hall, hosting us and sharing and planning activities for us, our family felt very welcome.
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
- We happened to visit the forest activity with the children, and they had so much fun.
- We had lunch together at the school, and the food was fantastic; our kids had additional servings.
- We went to the horse festival in Shin-Hidaka. Food festival at Samani and went horse riding Urakawa.
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 6 years, 4 years 8 months
- Period
- 2 Weeks (From Oct 18, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Urakawa Friend Forest Kindergarten
- Accommodation
Reflection and exposure experience
The Tham family (5 years 2 months)
1st time in the program
March 16, 2026
The teachers are friendly and approachable, although they do not understand Engl... Read more
The teachers are friendly and approachable, although they do not understand English very well but they tried their best to understand and likewise for us. The teachers also invited us to play in the forest with the classmates which were very fun and enjoying. We saw insects and Adonis ramosa flowers though it was common for the locals but it was indeed unique experience for us.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Thank you for the effort and please continue to keep it up!
Message to Local People
Thank you for organising and facilitating everything. Without them, it’s challenging for us to explore Urakawa Town efficiently.
- Number of People
- 3 People (2 Adults, 1 Child)
- Children Age
- 5 years 2 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Mar 8, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Urakawa Friend Forest Kindergarten
- Accommodation
- Room Z1-1
Access
Rent a car at New Chitose Airport, and you will reach the destination in about 2.5 hours. The route is a mostly straight road with light traffic.
After an approx. 1.5-hour flight from Haneda Airport to New Chitose Airport, it is about a 2.5-hour drive by rental car. The route is a mostly straight road with light traffic.
After an approx. 2-hour flight from Narita Airport to New Chitose Airport, it is about a 2.5-hour drive by rental car. The route is a mostly straight road with light traffic.
After an approx. 2-hour flight from Kansai Airport to New Chitose Airport, it is about a 2.5-hour drive by rental car. The route is a mostly straight road with light traffic.
Features of the Preschool
Urakawa Friend Forest Kindergarten is an educational facility located in Hokkaido where children aged three to five play and learn together in a single, open space without being divided into separate classrooms. The daily routine includes tending to plants, harvesting vegetables, and cooking, which helps children naturally develop a sense of responsibility and a deep interest in their food.
The facility features a spacious wooden building located directly next to an expansive eight-hectare forest. This rich natural setting provides a vast playground where children can freely climb poles, interact with plants and animals, and experience unique outdoor activities such as cultivating mushrooms, chopping wood, and caring for horses.
Guided by the forest school philosophy, the kindergarten emphasizes a child-led approach where learning is treated as play. Teachers maintain an equal relationship with the children through a co-learning concept, offering minimal assistance so children can discover their own ways to find joy. Instead of correcting or rushing the children, the staff focuses on encouraging them to try, fail, and try again, fostering independence and resilience alongside adults.
A Day of the Children
Starting our morning activities outdoors when the weather is nice.
A delicious lunch featuring local, seasonal ingredients.
Taking a closer look at frogs and mushrooms using a magnifying glass.
Playing together across all age groups in a shared space, without separate classrooms.
Accommodation
Log Cottage Rikka
12
minAccommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
10 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Washer-Dryer
Features
Baby-Friendly, Walkable to Preschool, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available
Uranest Asahi
6
minAccommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
7 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon, Crib
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Washer-Dryer
Features
Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space, Within 15-Min Drive to Preschool
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available
Room Z1-1
7
minNo floor plan available
Accommodation Type
Aparthotel
Capacity
4 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
Room Z1-2
7
minNo floor plan available
Accommodation Type
Aparthotel
Capacity
4 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
Urakawa Yushun Village AERU: Japanese-Western Room
10
minAccommodation Type
Hotel
Capacity
5 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Laundry Room in the Accommodation
Meals
Breakfast and dinner can be ordered locally for an additional fee.
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
URAKAWA TOWN, HOKKAIDO, HOKKAIDO
Urakawa Yushun Village AERU & Urakawa Town Riding Park
Urakawa is one of the premier "horse towns" in the Hidaka area, home to around 200 ranches and over 3,000 thoroughbreds. At facilities like Urakawa Yushun Village AERU and the Urakawa Town Riding Park, visitors can enjoy interacting closely with these majestic animals and even experience horseback riding firsthand.
Lupine Hill
One of Urakawa Town's greatest charms is its diverse scenery, encompassing both the ocean and the mountains. At Lupine Hill, which offers sweeping panoramic views of the town, you can enjoy vibrant lupines blooming in early summer, followed by beautiful cosmos flowers in the autumn.
Ikeda Fresh Fish Store
Urakawa's renowned seafood includes salmon, trout, and the famous Hidaka kelp. To truly savor the fresh catches from the Hidaka coast, Ikeda Fresh Fish Store is highly recommended. The friendly staff can guide you to the best seasonal seafood or curate a delicious selection tailored perfectly to your budget.
Sample Itinerary
Set between the Pacific and the Hidaka Mountains, Urakawa offers cool summers and mild, low-snow winters—ideal for Hokkaido beginners. It is also a renowned "horse town," housing over 3,000 thoroughbreds across 200 ranches.
