Since about the 12th century, the area surrounding Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture has been reputed to raise healthy livestock. Today, this history has evolved into dairy and beef industries, and Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato is a place where visitors can sample some local pride.
Located next to one of the main roads that wrap around the mountain, Milk no Sato is a popular stop for those visiting Daisen’s lower slopes or taking road trips through Tottori. Here, you can have a meal made with locally-produced ingredients, shop for souvenirs, meet some of Tottori’s dairy cows and learn more about the region’s farming culture.
Introducing Local Industries
Photo by: PIXTA/ satemo Support local farmers by taking home some souvenirs made in Tottori Prefecture.
Milk no Sato is operated by the Daisen Dairy Agricultural Cooperative, a group that includes and supports basically every dairy farmer in Tottori. Established in 1946, this is one of the few agricultural cooperatives in Japan that focuses on dairy production, and the group has gained a reputation for selling high-quality products.
The cooperative’s products and many more are on display at Milk no Sato. In the on-site restaurant, visitors can eat dishes made with local cream and butter, while a barbeque house offers beef produced in Tottori. Meanwhile, a souvenir shop provides a range of meats, snacks, dairy items and other goods created by regional businesses.
Some of the most famous items available for sale are milk-flavored soft serve ice cream and Shirobara (White Rose) milk—a brand synonymous with Tottori’s dairy industry. Locals take such pride in Shirobara milk that the brand even sells a line of merchandise, including T-shirts and stationery sets.
Activities and Experiences
Photo by: PIXTA/ dekoboko Almost like a scene from a postcard.
When you first arrive at Milk no Sato, it is likely that one of the first things you see will be cows, which roam freely in grassy pastures. Visitors like to take pictures of the cows because their enclosures are situated in the foreground of Mount Daisen and against a view of the Yumigahama Peninsula.
Milk no Sato offers a chance to interact with the cows in workshops where you can learn how to milk them. Culinary workshops that teach visitors how to make butter, ice cream, sausages and other foods are also popular activities.
Milk no Sato is also known for its wide-open lawn, where visitors can relax in Mount Daisen’s fresh air. Especially for those taking road trips, this is a spacious place to stretch one’s legs before continuing to travel.
