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“Creating a Happy Ranch for People and Horses”: A New Challenge at Heart Ranch in the Wilds of Eastern Hokkaido
In the magnificent nature of Eastern Hokkaido, home to Kushiro Wetlands National Park—Japan's largest marshland—a new ranch called "Heart Ranch" had its soft opening in October 2023. It's a place where people and horses can interact and deepen their bonds. Today, we'd like to share the story and passion of Rika Tatsukawa, the founder who brought this dream to life.
Rika Tatsukawa
Born in Tokyo, Rika grew up in Hong Kong until the age of four. She graduated from Azabu University's School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology. During her studies, she learned about the relationship between humans and animals through practical training at ranches and in anatomy labs. Her graduation thesis on the current state and challenges of organic farming in the UK and EU sparked an interest in the power of "impression," leading her to study Public Relations in New York. She obtained a PR Major from Long Island University Post. After graduating, she worked for about three years at the Credit Suisse Singapore branch. She then returned to Tokyo and worked for approximately three years at the publicly listed Kyodo Public Relations Co., Ltd., handling PR for foreign companies in Japan. On March 3, 2022, she established the agricultural corporation Meta Farm Co., Ltd.
A “New Kind of Ranch” in Eastern Hokkaido
In 2022, Ms. Tatsukawa moved to Hokkaido and started a new farming venture, launching the new ranch "Heart Ranch" in the Arekinai district of southern Shibecha Town.
"While it's a horse breeding farm from an agricultural standpoint, I also want to make it a tourist ranch that incorporates Western horse culture," says Ms. Tatsukawa. The total area of the ranch is 1.5 million square meters (about 10 times the size of the Tokyo Dome). It is located about a 40-minute drive from Kushiro Airport.
"Of course, there's trekking through the forest with horses, but I also want to make it normal, not extraordinary, to feel happiness just by watching them graze, to spend time with the horses while receiving the power of nature on this vast land."
Heart Ranch aims to be more than just a place for interacting with nature and horses; it strives to create a scene where people and horses coexist naturally as part of everyday life.
Featuring a Horse Sharing Service, Glamping, and a Café
Various plans are underway at Heart Ranch, and Horse Sharing is one of them. To lower the barrier to horse ownership, this service allows multiple people to co-own a horse, reducing the purchase price and monthly expenses. The ranch also plans to organize parties for the co-owners.
In addition, there are plans for camping and glamping on a hilltop within the vast grounds after a horseback ride, and a café is scheduled to open next year. Furthermore, the ranch is working to offer plans for enjoying Eastern Hokkaido beyond just horses, including stays at their partner accommodation, "The Geek," in the Toro area, Finnish-style saunas, and even wetland canoe activities.
Artist's rendering of the completed café
Hilltop camping
Hilltop trekking
Hilltop glamping
Partner accommodation "The Geek"
Canoeing on Lake Toro
A Dreamlike Experience and Space in a Majestic Natural Setting!
Heart Ranch is currently seeking partners to help build the ranch together through a crowdfunding campaign.
"Against the backdrop of Eastern Hokkaido's magnificent nature, with its rivers and lakes, we want to create a dreamlike experience and space. Imagine trekking and camping with horses carrying your gear, or glamping, and then gathering around a campfire at night to reflect on your own life and journey. I strongly desire to build this with all of you."
Inspired by Ms. Tatsukawa's passion, I have also joined the project. We created a video filled with her vision, so please take a look.
Eastern Hokkaido is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, a true last frontier in Japan often called the "real wild." Keep an eye on Ms. Tatsukawa as she strives to make her dream a reality in this incredible land.
A Proposal for Pastures, Abandoned Farms, and Uncultivated Land Adjacent to the Kushiro Wetlands - I Want to Create a Happy Ranch for People and Horses
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/692736?utm_campaign=cp_po_share_c_msg_mypage_projects_show
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Shibecha Town Revitalization Corps / Photographer / Videographer
Tomohiro Nakamichi
Born in 1988 in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture. He has loved animals and nature since he was a child, and in his 20s, he worked as a dog trainer, involved in training various dogs. Five years ago, he began producing photos and videos of nature and animals. He currently lives a nature-oriented life with four dogs in a forest in Shibecha, Hokkaido, where 20 wolves were once kept. He shares his work on various social media platforms under the theme of 'The Relationship Between Humans and Animals'.
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