See ostriches up-close, ostrich meat dishes, best visited in spring when the farm is in full swing.
TL;DR – Yes, Ishioka Ostrich Farm is worth it if you want something really unique.
- Ishioka Ostrich Farm is free to park, costs ¥1,200 for adults and is best visited during spring (March–May) when the most animals are out.
- You can feed the ostriches for ¥50 per cup — throw the feed from outside the fence, do not put your hands through.
- The on-site café serves ostrich meat dishes including curry, stew and grilled skewers from ¥600.
- Not recommended by public transport — 26 minute walk from the nearest bus stop, much better as part of a driving holiday around Ibaraki.
- Closed on Wednesdays — check their website before visiting as hours can vary seasonally.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored for this post. I just decided to visit Ishioka Ostrich Farm because it looked interesting.
In February 26 I visited Ishioka Ostrich Farm and it’s a little bit like Jurassic Park because the Ostriches are really huge and they are kept behind really thin wired fences. For some reason they keep following you around and you wonder if they will break the fences and come after you.
Ishioka Ostrich Farm (石岡ファーム) is the largest ostrich farm in the Ibaraki Prefecture where you can feed, touch and even eat ostrich products. There are other animals as well such as alpacas, capybaras, rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks, goats, ponies, tortoises, etc. Although it depends on the season because I only saw ostriches and one cow when I was there.
Anyway, I will let you know what I saw, what my experience was like, and why you should consider visiting Ishioka Ostrich Farm on your next visit to Japan.
- TL;DR – Yes, Ishioka Ostrich Farm is worth it if you want something really unique.
- How to get to Ishioka Ostrich Farm
- Ishioka Ostrich Farm Parking
- Ishioka Ostrich Farm Opening Hours
- Ishioka Ostrich Farm Ticket Prices
- When is the Best Time to visit Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
- Ishioka Ostrich Farm Souvenir Shop
- Inside Ishioka Ostrich Farm
- What kind of Ostriches can you find on the Farm?
- Ostrich Feeding
- Ostrich eggshell throwing
- Can you ride the Ostriches?
- Blueberry Garden
- Other Animals?
- Some Tips
- Is Ishioka Ostrich Farm Worth Visiting?
- How long should I spend at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
- Nearby Attractions
- Where to Stay Nearby
- FAQ – Ishioka Ostrich Farm
All photos on this page are mine, shot on an iPhone 11 pro.
How to get to Ishioka Ostrich Farm
Ishioka Ostrich Farm is quite inaccessible by public transport as it is a 35 minute walk from the nearest train station (Hatori Station) to the farm. And a 26 minute walk from the nearest bus stop at Mukaihara (Omitama City). It will also take you about 2 hours to reach the farm if you are travelling from Tokyo (via the Joban Line and the Itajikisan Line).
Instead, what I recommend is to go to the farm if you are on a driving holiday in the Ibaraki Prefecture. That way as well you can bundle it with other attractions in the area as it is a bit out of the way to get there.
Ishioka Ostrich Farm Parking
There is plenty of parking at the Ishioka Ostrich Farm and it is free of charge.
Ishioka Ostrich Farm Opening Hours
Ishioka Ostrich Farm is open everyday from 10 am – 4:30pm except Mondays where it closes at 4pm and on Wednesdays where it is closed.
Ishioka Ostrich Farm Ticket Prices
Tickets to the Ishioka Ostrich Farm are ¥1200 for Adults, ¥700 for Children and ¥500 per Dog. If it’s a group admission with 20 people or more, the price would be ¥1000 for Adults, ¥500 for Children.
Tickets need to be purchased in the shop before you can enter the ostrich enclosure area. However at the time when I was there, there was no one to “verify” my ticket before entering. The only staff member was working in the shop (he was also the chef). So I guess it’s based on an honour system.
However now that I’m looking back at it, it could be as well that this was the off-peak period where there weren’t as many animals on display and thus not so busy. So that’s why it was a bit more relaxed.
🎟️ Ishioka Ostrich Farm — Ticket Prices
| Ticket | Condition | Price (¥) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Junior high school students and older | ¥1,200 |
| Child | Ages 3 and older | ¥700 |
| Dog | Per dog | ¥500 |
| Adult (group) | 20 people or more | ¥1,000 |
| Child (group) | 20 people or more | ¥500 |
⚠️ Prices may change — always check the Ishioka Ostrich Farm official website for the latest information before visiting.
When is the Best Time to visit Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
The best time to visit Ishioka Ostrich Farm is during the Spring (Mar – May) period as lots of animals are active. So you would see a lot more animals and get opportunities to feed them etc.
If you go in Early Summer (late Jun – Aug) period, it will be the right season for blueberry picking so you can do that too.
Try to avoid visiting Ishioka Ostrich Farm in the Winter Period (Dec – Feb) like I did as there weren’t any other animals besides Ostriches and one rather skinny cow.
Ishioka Ostrich Farm Souvenir Shop
The Ishioka Ostrich Farm Souvenir Shop is just beside the parking area when you arrive. It’s a white building with some seating outside.
Once you step inside you will see a cafe (which is also where you buy the tickets from), souvenirs and a freezer with Ostrich Meat (ダチョウ肉). Yes Ostrich Meat.
In fact you can also find Ostrich Wings (ダチョウ手羽), Ostrich Oil (ダチョウオイル), and Ostrich Egg Ice Cream (ダチョウ卵アイス).
If you head over to the cafe, you can find other ostrich related meals. Here is the menu for the Ostrich Farm cafe:
I did not try any of these however as I was quite chicken (pun intended) and did not dare to try it.
Inside Ishioka Ostrich Farm
When you leave the shop and turn left, you would see the ostriches. At this area, you can see ostriches close up, feed them and observe how the eggs and chicks are raised. There are many different huge enclosures with ostriches in them. I must say that the wired fences look very old but it seems like it’s enough to keep the ostriches out.
There are also feeding pens with trays of ostrich feed. Quite a number of ostriches will gather in the pens and eat the feed. They also seem to just wander around and peck the ground (maybe for some food on the ground).
The ostriches are actually really intimidating even though they don’t look like it and I spent the time walking as far away from the fence as possible. Maybe because I was taking photos of them as the information boards did say they are attracted to shiny objects.
For some strange reason a group of them actually started following me as I was walking down the enclosure. I suddenly stopped walking at one point just to test them and they also stopped as well. And they continued following me when I continued walking. Once I reached the end of the enclosure I quickly turned around and walked back and they for some reason did not follow me this time.
What kind of Ostriches can you find on the Farm?
Based on the information boards around the farm, the ostriches are African Black ostriches, a breed from wild African ostriches since around 2008. They typically have better meat quality and easier handling.
An adult ostrich can grow to about 2m in height, making it the largest bird in the world. It’s legs are very strong. Even with two toes, it can run at 50-60km/h for more than 20 minutes at a top speed of 80km/h.
They are also able to withstand extreme temperatures between −30°C and up to about 40°C making it one very tough and adaptable animal.
Ostrich meat is also low in fat and calories yet high in protein and iron. It is a healthy red meat similar to beef. It is also valued for it’s skin (and feathers) and is often used as a high-grade leather.
Ostrich Feeding
You can also feed the ostriches (and other animals) on the farm. It costs ¥50 per cup. If you would like to do this, the farm advises to throw the feed from outside the fence and not put your hands inside the fence as the ostriches love to peck it.
Ostrich eggshell throwing
At one of the enclosures, you can throw pieces of eggshells for ¥200 per try. I am actually unsure how this game works as there weren’t any staff there and I’m still unsure why or what you are trying to hit. Maybe it’s to show how tough ostrich eggs are. If any of you reading know what this is about write in to let me know. I am quite curious as well.
Can you ride the Ostriches?
Ishioka Ostrich Farm doesn’t have ostrich riding unfortunately (or fortunately). You can only watch them, feed them and take photos with them. Pony rides are available in the Southern Pasture for children 2.5 years old up to about primary school age and under 35kg. But this also depends on whether the ponies are available.
Blueberry Garden
There is a blueberry garden as well inside Ishioka Ostrich Farm. However as it was winter it was not the right season so there weren’t any blueberries. There was one worker tending to the branches and roots probably preparing it for the growing seasons.
Other Animals?
So normally in the non-winter seasons, there will be more animals on the farm. But because I was there during winter, most of the animals I believe are kept indoors away from the public. Probably because of the season, temperature and disease-prevention measures.
Ostriches however are able to live in extreme weather and open spaces so they are kept outside all year round. The only other animal I did see was one rather skinny cow.
Some Tips
– Consider visiting on a driving holiday instead as it is quite inaccessible by public transport.
– Don’t wear shiny objects (eg. sunglasses, phones, cameras etc) as ostriches are attracted to shiny things and may peck them.
– Don’t run, shout or wave your hands near the ostriches.
– Don’t put your fingers or hands through the fence as the ostriches might peck and its dangerous.
– Small children must be accompanied by an adult.
– Cash and Card payments are accepted.
Is Ishioka Ostrich Farm Worth Visiting?
Ishioka Ostrich Farm was by far the most unique and slightly wacky place I visited in Ibaraki and yes I recommend visiting if:
A) You want to experience something really unique and different.
B) You are travelling and visiting other attractions in the wider Ibaraki region as it is a bit inaccessible by public transport.
And C) you go during the periods where the animals are out and the blueberries are ready to be picked.
I was slightly disappointed with my own visit (even though it was really interesting) as I most likely visited at the wrong time. But I would still recommend it and will gladly visit it again if I’m in the right place and the right time.
My Rating: 4 / 5
See ostriches up-close, ostrich meat dishes, best visited in spring when the farm is in full swing.
How long should I spend at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
I would say that you can spend about 2 hours at Ishioka Ostrich Farm during the right season when all the animals are out. You can also stay longer if you are considering eating lunch at the farm. I was only there for about an hour as only the ostriches were available.
Nearby Attractions
If you are looking for other things to do in Ibaraki, I recommend visiting Mount Tsukuba. It is a slightly sweaty experience hiking to the peaks but once you get you would be rewarded with breathtaking views. On clear days you can even see Tokyo City and Mount Fuji.
Keen to climb Mount Tsukuba as well? Check out our detailed Mount Tsukuba guide with ropeway info, hiking pointers and a ready‑made day plan from Tokyo.
Where to Stay Nearby
If you are on a driving holiday in the Ibaraki region, you can consider staying at R9 the Yard Hotel. They are modular container like hotels with no-frills, functional and affordable hotel rooms. I stayed at R9 The Yard Hotel Tsukuba but there is one near Ishioka Ostrich Farm at Omitama (小美玉).
Read about my experience staying at R9 The Yard Hotel Tsukuba for a week. Including room details, pricing and tips for a 7 night stay.
FAQ – Ishioka Ostrich Farm
1) Can you ride an ostrich at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
No, ostrich riding is not available at Ishioka Ostrich Farm. You can watch, feed and take photos with the ostriches. Pony rides are available for young children (2.5 years old up to primary school age and under 35kg) in the Southern Pasture, subject to availability.
2) Is Ishioka Ostrich Farm suitable for young children?
Yes, it can be a fun experience for young children who enjoy animals. That said, the ostriches are large and can be intimidating up close. Small children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and should not put their hands or fingers through the fences.
3) How long does Ishioka Ostrich Farm take?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for a comfortable visit — enough time to walk the enclosures, watch and feed the ostriches, browse the souvenir shop and grab a bite at the café. During spring and summer when more animals are present you may want to allow a bit more time (maybe 2 hours plus).
4) Is there parking at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
Yes, there is plenty of free parking available at Ishioka Ostrich Farm right next to the entrance shop.
5) Is Ishioka Ostrich Farm open year round?
Yes, it is open year round except on Wednesdays. Opening hours are 10:00am–4:30pm daily, with Monday closing at 4:00pm. However the experience varies significantly by season — winter visits will see far fewer animals as most are kept indoors. Spring is the best time to visit for the widest variety of animals and activities.
6) Can you eat ostrich at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
Yes — the on-site café serves several ostrich meat dishes including ostrich meat curry rice (¥1,040), ostrich meat stew rice set (¥1,150) and grilled ostrich meat skewers (¥600). The farm shop also sells frozen ostrich meat, ostrich wings and ostrich oil to take home.
7) How do I get to Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
Ishioka Ostrich Farm is best reached by car as it is a 35 minute walk from the nearest train station (Hatori Station) and a 26 minute walk from the nearest bus stop at Mukaihara in Omitama City. Travelling from Tokyo by public transport takes about 2 hours via the Joban Line and the Itajikisan Line. If you are on a driving holiday in Ibaraki it is easy to bundle with other nearby attractions. Parking is free on site.
8) Are there other animals at Ishioka Ostrich Farm besides ostriches?
Yes, during the warmer months the farm also has alpacas, capybaras, rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks, goats, ponies and tortoises. During winter however most animals are kept indoors so you may only see the ostriches. Check ahead if seeing a variety of animals is important to your visit.
9) Is there a blueberry picking experience at Ishioka Ostrich Farm?
Yes, the farm has a blueberry garden that is open during the picking season in early to late summer (approximately late June to August). It is not available during winter or spring.
10) Do I need to speak Japanese to visit?
Basic English signage is available at the farm. The staff may have limited English but the farm is straightforward to navigate on your own. Having a translation app handy is useful, particularly for the café menu and information boards.
Timothy Leong
Timothy is a Singapore-born, Japan-based digital marketer turned hidden-gem hunter. After ditching spreadsheets for Google Maps, he now lives full-time in Japan, chasing quiet towns, real ramen, and off-grid train routes. Every photo and tip on Nihon Travel Guide is 100% his — no AI, no fluff, no Tokyo Tower.
