Season is almost over !
Cabbage
Completely undisinfected cabbage grown in our fields. Currently sold to friends, acquaintances, and neighbors.
¥100
Order
Sato Farm — 15-6 Ise-machi, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken
Protecting Japan's small-scale farming and rice cultivation
The Bounty of Nakanojo—
Nurtured by Fields and Paddies
A small, family-run farm dedicated to Koshihikari rice, seasonal vegetables, and fresh fruits.
Bringing you safe, delicious produce, grown with honesty and care.
Cabbage ¥100 each — we deliver
Order
Scan with your phone to call us
* The background landscape is an AI-generated image.
Japanese version available: 日本語で読む
Current notices
Sales are for friends, acquaintances, and neighbors only.
Cabbage season is almost over !
Completely undisinfected cabbage — 1 head, ¥100.
News
What's New
-
Morning in the Rice Fields Woven by Light, Wind, and Water
-
Added a photo of red hot pokers and lilies to Farm Report.
-
Pausing My Update Work — I Lost the Stare‑Down with the Code!
-
A Rice Field Behind in Tillering — Choosing Not to Drain the Water
-
Published my first landing page—see Random Thoughts.
-
How My Website Launch Sparked a LINE Friend "Purge"—see Random Thoughts.
-
Lost in the maze of mobile display—see Random Thoughts.
-
＊A Note on How This Site Is Run ＊Beloved rabbit Lemon's memorial day—see Random Thoughts. Paid service starts today.
-
Potatoes and taros at my family home were destroyed by wild boars—details in Farm Updates.
-
Launched the Sato Farm website—as noted in Random Thoughts, we will keep revising and adding.
-
Posted two photos of rice paddies and pumpkins—see Farm Updates.
-
Completely undisinfected cabbage—¥100 per head—see Products.
Rice Paddies and Fields of the Agatsuma Region
This landscape is an image generated by generative AI.
About Nakanojo
Nakanojo:
A Land of Nature and Hot Springs
Located in northwestern Gunma's Agatsuma region, Nakanojo is a town blessed with pristine nature and famous hot springs like Shima Onsen and Sawatari Onsen. Pure subterranean water from the Shima and Nakuta Rivers, significant day-and-night temperature swings, and lush forests create the perfect terroir that nurtures the rich flavor of Sato Farm's rice and vegetables.
- Subterranean water from the Shima & Nakuda Rivers Mineral-rich water nourishes the paddies
- Four seasons of Agatsuma Temperature swings concentrate flavor in our crops
- Fields and paddies Koshihikari rice and seasonal vegetables
- Hot springs & nature Renowned onsen towns including Shima and Sawatari
About
About Sato Farm
Sato Farm is a small, family-run farm nestled in Nakanojo, Gunma Prefecture. We grow premium Koshihikari rice, seasonal vegetables, and fruits like plums and persimmons. Our approach to farming is rooted in sincerity and care—values shaped by my rewarding years of experience in both education and healthcare.
We are committed to delivering safe, delicious produce by paying close attention to every step, from soil preparation to harvest.
Products
Products & cultivation
Rice fields, vegetable plots, and fruit trees. Sales to friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. Current offerings and rice achievements.
Rice fields — cultivation
Koshihikari
Reiwa 5 (2023) results: Koshihikari
1) First Grade, Taste Score 90
2) "Hanayukari" certified.
Stock & sales — inquire
Fruit trees — cultivation
Persimmons & Plums
Fruit trees: Persimmons, plums
Dried persimmons, pickled plums (umeboshi)
Also drying sweet potatoes into hoshi-imo.
Stock & sales — inquire
- Harvested Garlic
- Currently harvesting Cabbage Cucumber Onion Carrots (thinning)
Our message
Protecting Japan's small-scale farming and rice cultivation
At Sato Farm, in our small paddies and fields in Nakanojo Town, we work on Koshihikari rice cultivation and vegetable growing.
Reiwa 5 (2023) — First Grade Koshihikari,
Taste Score 90, "Hanayukari" certified.
On the other hand, in recent years we have been struggling with weeds, and there are days when we feel discouraged.
We hope to share, even a little, the everyday joys and struggles of small-scale part-time farmers.
documents/hanayukari.pdf (Click to open the PDF in a small window. This page stays open.)
Farm Report
Field & Paddy Updates
Photos and short notes from our fields and paddies, updated from time to time.
Unarmed and Defeated: The Potato Massacre
"Well, at least no bears showed up, so I guess I should count my blessings" — that's what the old-timer nearby said. I visited my family home in Ōkuwa for the first time in a week. In the back field, I'd planted potatoes and taros. This spring I'd already spotted three wild boar piglets, and the area nearby had already been dug up, so I'd been on edge wondering when my potatoes would get hit. A week ago everything was fine, but when I checked today, it was all wiped out, root and all — not a single potato left, the whole field left in ruins.
The old-timer's field is fully enclosed with corrugated tin sheeting and lined with three rows of electric wire, keeping both the wild boars and the raccoon dogs at bay, he told me. When I mentioned that my defenseless potatoes had been wiped out, his reply felt less like sympathy and more like a scolding. Fair enough — completely unguarded. A total defeat. If I'm going to set up tin sheeting and electric wire for next year, it'll probably run me tens of thousands of yen. July 7, 2026
Profile
Representative
Profile
Setsuo Sato, Representative — Sato Farm
A small farm in Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma—growing Koshihikari rice, vegetables, and fruit trees.
I bring the integrity cultivated in education and healthcare to my daily work in the fields.
- Education
-
Bachelor of Arts, School of Education
Department of English Language and Literature
Waseda University
Completed the adult course, Gunma Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry College - Current
- Full-time farmer: Ski instructor during winter
- Career
-
Served at six public high schools in Gunma Prefecture
Worked at a nursing school in the county - Farming
-
Rice fields: Koshihikari
Fields: Seasonal vegetables
Fruit trees: Persimmons, plums
Others: Dried persimmons, pickled plums, dried sweet potatoes - Hobbies/Interests/Concerns
- Click here
Fifty years of skiing history----Currently updating my personal best run.
In other words, that just goes to show how terrible I've been all these years...
During the winter, I work as a full-time ski instructor, sharing the joy of skiing with international visitors. Drawing on my background in education, I provide clear, encouraging lessons for beginners through intermediate skiers.
Notes
Random Thoughts
Morning in the Rice Fields Woven by Light, Wind, and Water
The summer rice fields shaped by the three rivers of Agatsuma are simply breathtaking!
The cool air rising from the Shima River gently embraces the rice fields. The morning light shimmers softly upon the surface of the Nakuta River, and the paddies stretching south of the station begin to sparkle all at once. Each time the wind blowing from the Agatsuma River brushes across the rice plants, the shades of green sway slowly, making the entire landscape seem as though it is breathing.
Light, wind, and water melt together as one, and the green of the rice fields is simply beautiful. Along the ridges, vibrant red hot pokers and lilies add brilliant colors, their harmony making the radiance of summer shine even more brightly. This is the very Japanese landscape we wish to continue protecting day after day. The quiet strength of these rice fields is something we hope to pass on gently to the future.July 20, 2026
The cool air rising from the Shima River gently embraces the rice fields. The morning light shimmers softly upon the surface of the Nakuta River, and the paddies stretching south of the station begin to sparkle all at once. Each time the wind blowing from the Agatsuma River brushes across the rice plants, the shades of green sway slowly, making the entire landscape seem as though it is breathing.
Light, wind, and water melt together as one, and the green of the rice fields is simply beautiful. Along the ridges, vibrant red hot pokers and lilies add brilliant colors, their harmony making the radiance of summer shine even more brightly. This is the very Japanese landscape we wish to continue protecting day after day. The quiet strength of these rice fields is something we hope to pass on gently to the future.July 20, 2026
Pausing My Update Work — I Lost the Stare‑Down with the Code!
After about ten days, I find myself hesitating over my next move. The sense of ease is gone, and even what I want to do has become unclear.
With Cursor down, I thought I could enjoy taking the long way around. But it turned out to be a tougher battle than expected. I can write the drafts, yes—but every upload has to be done manually. Day after day I stare at lines of code, and my eyes are worn out. I can't keep going like this.
I still have a dream of automating everything with voice input someday. But that's a distant future. Right now, the update work itself feels heavy. When Cursor comes back next month, that weight will probably lift and my rhythm will return. Still, I realize there are many other things I want to do.
My daily rhythm is off. Especially the endless face‑to‑face with code—this is no longer sustainable. I can't keep it up.
So I'm switching myself into rest mode for a while.July 15, 2026
With Cursor down, I thought I could enjoy taking the long way around. But it turned out to be a tougher battle than expected. I can write the drafts, yes—but every upload has to be done manually. Day after day I stare at lines of code, and my eyes are worn out. I can't keep going like this.
I still have a dream of automating everything with voice input someday. But that's a distant future. Right now, the update work itself feels heavy. When Cursor comes back next month, that weight will probably lift and my rhythm will return. Still, I realize there are many other things I want to do.
My daily rhythm is off. Especially the endless face‑to‑face with code—this is no longer sustainable. I can't keep it up.
So I'm switching myself into rest mode for a while.July 15, 2026
A Rice Field Behind in Tillering — Choosing Not to Drain the Water
The rainy season is ending, and the village paddies are entering the time of nakaboshi—the mid-season drainage. Pull the water. Dry the soil. Strengthen the roots. A principle of rice farming, handed down for generations.
“Is there even a rice field that skips nakaboshi?” Such silent pressure drifts along the levee paths.
But my field’s tillering is still weak. If I follow the neighbors now, I’ll be putting a brake on growth that has finally begun to surge. So—what should I do?
Experts disagree, and even asking AI yields no answer. Then the only choice is to keep the water. I know the risks. A typhoon could flatten everything.
Tillering is the branching of a single plant into many stems. The ideal is twenty stems per hill. It determines the number of panicles, and ultimately the yield. Normally, farmers drain the field now to prevent overgrowth and improve airflow.
Around me, everyone is deep into nakaboshi. Yet my field still holds water. I could say it’s a choice made in faith—faith in the soil, in the rice—but that may sound too noble.
Will it turn out well or badly? No textbook holds the answer. No expert, no AI can tell me. The field itself will reveal it in autumn. A solitary decision. And entirely my responsibility.July 13, 2026
“Is there even a rice field that skips nakaboshi?” Such silent pressure drifts along the levee paths.
But my field’s tillering is still weak. If I follow the neighbors now, I’ll be putting a brake on growth that has finally begun to surge. So—what should I do?
Experts disagree, and even asking AI yields no answer. Then the only choice is to keep the water. I know the risks. A typhoon could flatten everything.
Tillering is the branching of a single plant into many stems. The ideal is twenty stems per hill. It determines the number of panicles, and ultimately the yield. Normally, farmers drain the field now to prevent overgrowth and improve airflow.
Around me, everyone is deep into nakaboshi. Yet my field still holds water. I could say it’s a choice made in faith—faith in the soil, in the rice—but that may sound too noble.
Will it turn out well or badly? No textbook holds the answer. No expert, no AI can tell me. The field itself will reveal it in autumn. A solitary decision. And entirely my responsibility.July 13, 2026
My First Landing Page
Ten years of hoping came together, right here.
It started with the arrival of generative AI. "I don't want to miss this wave" — no one felt that more than I did. I'd failed at programming more times than I can count, but after binge-watching YouTube tutorials, I became convinced: "I can actually do this."
In July, I signed up for Cursor Pro. Within a single week, I had finished and published the landing page. There are still plenty of small fixes to make, but updates continue.
There was trouble too. Even though I'd signed up for an annual plan, I hit my monthly usage limit in just one week. Looking back, I was using it clumsily and inefficiently, taking my frustration out on the AI — so maybe that was only fair. Still, through all the trial and error, I've slowly started to figure out how to work with it.
It's been exactly one week since launch. Sunday today, taking a short breather. Now I'm wondering how to grow and run this page going forward. I can start to see the possibilities ahead. July 11, 2026
It started with the arrival of generative AI. "I don't want to miss this wave" — no one felt that more than I did. I'd failed at programming more times than I can count, but after binge-watching YouTube tutorials, I became convinced: "I can actually do this."
In July, I signed up for Cursor Pro. Within a single week, I had finished and published the landing page. There are still plenty of small fixes to make, but updates continue.
There was trouble too. Even though I'd signed up for an annual plan, I hit my monthly usage limit in just one week. Looking back, I was using it clumsily and inefficiently, taking my frustration out on the AI — so maybe that was only fair. Still, through all the trial and error, I've slowly started to figure out how to work with it.
It's been exactly one week since launch. Sunday today, taking a short breather. Now I'm wondering how to grow and run this page going forward. I can start to see the possibilities ahead. July 11, 2026
How My Website Launch Sparked a LINE Friend "Purge"
"As a senior, one ought to clear out human relationships at a brisk pace"—or so I had firmly resolved. Yet, my LINE account is still cluttered with a vast crowd of friends and groups. To make matters worse, I've just shared my new homepage with everyone. Do I actually want to keep expanding my circle? I am nothing if not a walking contradiction.
Still, this announcement served as the perfect litmus test. The reactions were split cleanly down the middle: the "geniuses of joy" who instantly sent warm praise, and the "masters of ghosting" who met it with absolute silence.
Interestingly, age has nothing to do with it. It simply lays bare a person's true character. This tiny difference in response will likely crystallize over a lifetime into a massive divide in what we call personal virtue.
Seeing their behavior makes me reflect on my own. Which kind of person do I want to be? The answer is obvious. Now then, clutching my smartphone, I shall begin the cleanup (blocking)—starting with the "radio silence" camp. July 10, 2026
Still, this announcement served as the perfect litmus test. The reactions were split cleanly down the middle: the "geniuses of joy" who instantly sent warm praise, and the "masters of ghosting" who met it with absolute silence.
Interestingly, age has nothing to do with it. It simply lays bare a person's true character. This tiny difference in response will likely crystallize over a lifetime into a massive divide in what we call personal virtue.
Seeing their behavior makes me reflect on my own. Which kind of person do I want to be? The answer is obvious. Now then, clutching my smartphone, I shall begin the cleanup (blocking)—starting with the "radio silence" camp. July 10, 2026
Lost in the maze of mobile display.
On PC, it looks perfect. Yet on a smartphone, it falls apart mercilessly. Fix, check, fix, check—caught in an endless loop, I've found myself despairing, wondering if it's hopeless.
What keeps me going through this heart-breaking challenge is my partner: AI tools. After dozens of unreasonable requests, they never complain—their patience leaves me nothing but grateful.
And yet, that is precisely where the biggest wall stands. How to convey my intentions to AI clearly and accurately—that is the hard part.
Today again, I stare at the screen, tinkering here and there through days of struggle. But what beautiful view awaits beyond this uphill battle? Please stay with me to see how this puzzle ends—a senior's pride is on the line. July 9, 2026
What keeps me going through this heart-breaking challenge is my partner: AI tools. After dozens of unreasonable requests, they never complain—their patience leaves me nothing but grateful.
And yet, that is precisely where the biggest wall stands. How to convey my intentions to AI clearly and accurately—that is the hard part.
Today again, I stare at the screen, tinkering here and there through days of struggle. But what beautiful view awaits beyond this uphill battle? Please stay with me to see how this puzzle ends—a senior's pride is on the line. July 9, 2026
A Note on How This Site Is Run
Until now, this website has been growing on what you might call "borrowed free farmland." Today, the landlord let us know that keeping it free any longer would be difficult. As a complete beginner with websites, I felt a little shaken — but after looking into it, I've decided to proceed as follows.
1. First, pay a small rent for one month to keep going.
2. During that time, look for new free farmland.
3. Eventually, acquire "land of my own" (a custom domain).
I think fields and homes alike often start as rentals and gradually become one's own. For now, the site will continue as before — thank you for staying with us. Paid service starts today. July 8, 2026
1. First, pay a small rent for one month to keep going.
2. During that time, look for new free farmland.
3. Eventually, acquire "land of my own" (a custom domain).
I think fields and homes alike often start as rentals and gradually become one's own. For now, the site will continue as before — thank you for staying with us. Paid service starts today. July 8, 2026
Beloved rabbit Lemon's memorial day
Today is the memorial day of our beloved rabbit Lemon. It has been exactly five months since she left us.
We lived together for nine years. My wife, my daughter, my son, and I—we were all absolutely devoted to Lemon. That small body was always at the very center of our family.
I thought I was prepared for the grief of parting, but it far exceeded anything I had imagined. Honestly, it really took a toll on me.
Still, time flows heartlessly on. The sorrow that was once so raw has begun, little by little, to fade into the past. It feels lonely to admit, but I suppose that is just the reality of life.
Yet the memories of those nine years do not fade. The smiles Lemon gave us, the warmth, and the time our whole family spent together—they will live on in our hearts forever. Thank you, Lemon. A nine-year dream story. July 8, 2026
We lived together for nine years. My wife, my daughter, my son, and I—we were all absolutely devoted to Lemon. That small body was always at the very center of our family.
I thought I was prepared for the grief of parting, but it far exceeded anything I had imagined. Honestly, it really took a toll on me.
Still, time flows heartlessly on. The sorrow that was once so raw has begun, little by little, to fade into the past. It feels lonely to admit, but I suppose that is just the reality of life.
Yet the memories of those nine years do not fade. The smiles Lemon gave us, the warmth, and the time our whole family spent together—they will live on in our hearts forever. Thank you, Lemon. A nine-year dream story. July 8, 2026
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can the general public purchase from you?
Sales are for friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. If you have a connection, please call our landline to inquire.
What rice do you grow, and what is its quality?
We grow Koshihikari. Reiwa 5 results: First Grade, Taste Score 90, "Hanayukari" certified. Stock and pricing vary by season.
What is available now?
Cabbage at ¥100 is currently available. Rice availability varies — please call to inquire.
How do I order or inquire?
Please call 0279-75-2711, mobile 080-1256-8883, or email 2324satou.setuo@gmail.com (Representative: Setsuo Sato).
About the name "Sato Farm"
"Sato Farm" is the name Setsuo Sato uses as an individual farmer. It is not a name registered as a corporation or trade name.
Hobbies/Interests/Concerns
- Staying healthy (jogging)
- Watching MLB
- Making soba noodles (beginner)
- Secretary, landscaping group "Yotsumegaki"
- Custom PC builds (next: my dream 4th machine)
- Tech & AI: Utilizing generative AI tools like Cursor and Obsidian.
- FX (Foreign Exchange) Trading: My results may be unimpressive, but my experience is second to none. Having been through many tough battles, I'm now a 20-year veteran. I teach USD/JPY trading know-how.
- Home Maintenance: Managing and repairing my aging birth home.
- Current Project: I am currently compiling a bilingual "Ski English Expression Guide" (English/Japanese comparison). It is now nearly complete!
- Launching this website has been a dream of mine for over ten years. Now, through this web space, there are three things I'd like to express about who I am today: first, recent footage of my skiing; second, the "Uirō-uri" recitation (kōjō), which I have completely memorized; and third, footage of me chanting the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō). I've always thought I'd like to post videos someday—but how will it actually turn out, I wonder?
Access
Directions
15-6 Ise-machi, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken
- Address
- 15-6 Ise-machi, Nakanojo-machi,
Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken 377-0423, Japan - Nearest station
- JR Agatsuma Line — Nakanojo Station
- By car
- From Shibukawa-Ikaho IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, via Route 353 (see Google Maps for details)
Guide links open in a small popup. On smartphones, links may not open as a popup. Please use the back button.
Guide QR Codes
Map
Scan to open Google Maps
Website
Scan to open this site
Links
Nakanojo Town Sightseeing URLs
Hot springs, nature, and culture in Nakanojo Town. Links open in a small popup.
- Hanayukari Nakanojo Town brand rice, taste score 80+ and first-grade only hanayukari.base.ec
- Nakanojo Tourism Association Hot springs, nature, and culture in town nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Nakanojo Town Official Site Official info on government, events, and local life town.nakanojo.gunma.jp
- Shima Onsen Historic hot spring town along the Shima River shimaonsen.or.jp
- Hot Springs in Nakanojo (Official) Town list of Shima, Sawada, and other local onsen town.nakanojo.gunma.jp
- Nakanojo Gardens National scenic spot with gardens and restaurant nakanojo-g.jp
- Lake Nozoriko Mountain lake popular for camping and boating nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Lake Okushima Dam lake upstream of Shima Onsen, explore by boat nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Chatubomigoke Park One of the world's largest chatubomigoke moss colonies nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Shiriyaki Onsen (Kuni area) Large open-air bath on the riverbed nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Former Taishi Station Retro station building on a closed railway line nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Oizumi Falls Famous waterfall in the Shima Onsen area nakanojo-kanko.jp
- Musee (History & Folklore Museum) Museum of Nakanojo history and local culture town.nakanojo.gunma.jp
- Michi-no-Eki Reizan Takeyama Roadside station with local produce and regional dishes town.nakanojo.gunma.jp
- Nakanojo Biennale International art festival in rural landscapes nakanojo-biennale.com
- Karasawa Farm Seasonal fruit, ice cream, and cafe karasawa-cafe.com
Agatsuma County Sightseeing URLs
Sightseeing links in Agatsuma County (five towns and villages, excluding Nakanojo). Links open in a small popup.
- Yubatake / Kusatsu Onsen Tourism "YuLove Kusatsu" Symbol of Kusatsu Onsen and hub for Yubatake info kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp
- Netsu-no-Yu Venue for the yumomi hot spring show kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp
- Nishi-no-Kawara Park Large open-air bath and hot spring riverbed gunma-dc.net
- Kusatsu Tropical Zoo Greenhouse zoo powered by hot spring heat nettaiken.com
- Yanba Dam Completed 2020; national scenic spot beside Agatsuma Gorge naganohara.com
- Yanba Agatsuma Lake Emerald-green reservoir known as "Yanba Green" naganohara.com
- Yanba Viewpoint Lookout with views of the dam and lake naganohara.com
- Michi-no-Eki Yanba Furusato-kan Farm stand, dam curry, and foot bath yambamichinoeki.com
- Onioshidashi Park Lava field from Mt. Asama; one of Japan's three great oddities princehotels.co.jp
- Tsumagoi Village Tourism Guide to sights on the Mt. Asama plateau vill.tsumagoi.gunma.jp
- Tsumagoi Local History Museum 1783 eruption and the burial of Kambara Village vill.tsumagoi.gunma.jp
- Agatsuma Tourism Portal Sightseeing guide for the Tsumagoi area agakanren.com
- Takayama Village Tourism Guide Main portal for sightseeing in the village takayama-kanko.jp
- Mikuni Kaido Nakayama Post Town Historic inn town on the Mikuni Kaido route takayama-kanko.jp
- Michi-no-Eki Nakayama Basin Farm stand, cypress foot bath, and cottages takayama-kanko.jp
- Takayama Village Official Site Official village government website vill.takayama.gunma.jp
- Lockheart Castle Relocated Scottish castle and stone theme park lockheart.info
- Gunma Astronomical Observatory Prefectural observatory with a 150 cm reflector telescope astron.pref.gunma.jp
- Mt. Iwabitsu Sanada clan hill fort, elevation 802.6 m iwabitsu-sanadamaru.com
- Iwabitsu Castle Ruins History Map Main keep site, Senryuin ruins, and more iwabitsu-sanadamaru.com
- Higashiagatsuma Tourism Association Official tourism site for the town tohgoku.or.jp
- Higashiagatsuma Town Tourism Agatsuma Gorge, rail bike A-Gattan, and more town.higashiagatsuma.gunma.jp
Contact
Contact us
For orders or questions, please call, email, or use the form below. Sales are for friends, acquaintances, and neighbors.
- Farm name
- Sato Farm
- Representative
- Setsuo Sato
- Address
- 15-6 Ise-machi, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken 377-0423, Japan
Contact form
Please fill in and submit.