Tokyo Weekender August 2016

REASONS TO
STAY AT BROWN’S
FIELD FARM IN
Chiba
Words by Annemarie Luck. Photographs by Teppei Takahashi and Annemarie Luck
Whether you think of
it as a detox retreat,
or simply a peaceful
getaway, spending
a few nights at this
macrobiotic farm
will leave you feeling
healthier and happier
In the three years I’ve lived in
Japan, no-one has ever said to
me: “You must go to Chiba.” On
the contrary, people usually
say: “There’s nothing in Chiba.”
While this may be true for those
looking for city bustle, I have since realized
that the kind of nothingness found in this
rice farming region on the Boso peninsula
is exactly why you must go. After recently
spending two nights at Brown’s Field, a
macrobiotic farm in the city of Isumi, and
exploring the surrounding area, I could
give you countless reasons why it should
make your must-visit list. But, for now,
here are my top four…
THE MACROBIOTIC FOOD
Owned by US-born photographer
Everett Kennedy Brown and his wife
Deco Nakajima, a macrobiotic chef
and cooking instructor, Brown’s Field
is all about sustainable and organic
farming. Whether you’re just visiting
for lunch – entirely possible since it’s
just a couple of hours from Tokyo – or
staying overnight, you’ll be treated to
traditional Japanese ingredients served
up as tasty vegan dishes. What’s more,
guests who book accommodation at
the farm’s cozy on-site cottage get to
eat in the main house with family and
staff members, allowing you to really
feel part of the culture. Foodies will
also welcome the chance to glean new
ideas for preparing foods such as fermented
shoyu (soy sauce), and genmei
(unpolished rice) topped with shavings
of dried kale.
The cottage at Brown’s Field costs
¥10,000 per night per person, including
breakfast and dinner. The bathroom
is outside and shared with daytime
visitors to the restaurant.
22 | AUGUST 2016 | TOKYO WEEKENDER