Kurosawa Farm Ice Cream: Keeping the Fresh-from-the-Farm Flavor Intact

At SEN.RETREAT, we tailor what we offer our guests to match the unique character of each property.

One of our long-standing partners is Kurosawa Farm in Kainan City, Wakayama, whose milk ice cream we have been serving at our container-villa–style accommodation, SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU.

Over the years, Kurosawa Farm has expanded its lineup of ice cream flavors. Hearing this rekindled our desire to share these tastes with guests at every SEN.RETREAT location. As of September 2025, their ice cream is available across all of our properties.

Packed with the care and craftsmanship of Kurosawa Farm, their ice cream is truly special. We spoke with Naoko Ueshiba from the farm’s Wholesale Division to learn the secrets behind its delicious flavor.

The Story Behind the Ice Cream’s Creation

Kurosawa Farm keeps its cows grazing freely year-round on the expansive highland pastures, and crafts soft-serve ice cream, puddings, roll cakes, and more in its on-site workshop. Among their creations, the most popular is the soft-serve ice cream made generously with freshly squeezed raw milk.

Rich yet refreshingly clean in flavor, it captivates fans with its smooth, mellow milkiness that spreads the moment it touches your tongue—and with the light, crisp finish that disappears effortlessly.

The cup-style ice cream was born from customers saying, “I want to enjoy this flavor at home,” and “I’d love to give it as a gift.” These cups capture the farm’s fresh taste just as it is. Today, the lineup includes not only the classic milk flavor but also a variety of flavors made with local ingredients.

The Stress-Free Dairy Cows of Kurosawa Farm

Kurosawa Farm was founded in 1968.

Situated on a highland plateau 500 meters above sea level with views of the Kii Channel in Wakayama, the farm spans about 30 hectares—roughly the size of six Tokyo Domes.
Here, the cows spend their days freely roaming the vast pastures throughout the year.

“Compared to keeping cows in barns, they produce less milk,” Ms. Ueshiba explains, “but cows raised in a stress-free, open environment are far healthier. They develop strong legs and live much longer.”

She adds with a smile that when milking time comes, the cows make their way to the milking area on their own.
“Around seven in the morning, their udders are full, so they gather as if to say, ‘Please milk us.’”

Milking is carried out gently, in rhythm with the cows’ natural schedule.
This free-range, relaxed style of grazing is what nurtures healthy cows—and delicious, high-quality milk.

Flavors That Change with the Seasons

The raw milk from Kurosawa Farm changes in flavor and color with the seasons.

In summer, when the cows feed on fresh green grasses such as clover, the milk contains more water and tastes clean and refreshing.
In winter, their diet shifts to dried grasses, increasing the milk’s fat content and giving it a richer, creamier taste with a slight golden hue.**

Nature’s cycles appear directly in the flavor itself—
and that is what makes Kurosawa Farm’s milk so distinctive.

Ice Cream That Preserves the Fresh-from-the-Farm Flavor

Kurosawa Farm’s ice cream is processed immediately after milking at the workshop located right next to the barn.

Because the milk travels only a very short distance, it requires just one round of heating instead of the usual two. This preserves the milk’s natural sweetness, allowing them to use less sugar in the final product.

Another delightful point is that the craft ice cream served at SEN.RETREAT is completely additive-free—made without emulsifiers or stabilizers. It contains only milk, sugar, and eggs. The result is a refined, gentle flavor with natural sweetness from the ingredients themselves and a smooth, delicate texture.

The flavors are also wonderfully diverse. Along with the classic milk, the lineup includes varieties that showcase local ingredients, such as roasted green tea from Kawazoe in Wakayama and Sanpokan citrus from Arida.

Kurosawa Farm × SEN.RETREAT Collaboration

Kurosawa Farm’s craft ice cream began being served at all SEN.RETREAT properties in September 2025.

Each accommodation now offers three flavors selected to match the unique atmosphere of the property.

SEN.RETREAT TAKIJIRI: Ume (Japanese Plum)

SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA: Jabara Citrus
SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU: Sanpokan Citrus**

All three are popular existing flavors from Kurosawa Farm, thoughtfully selected to match the unique atmosphere of each accommodation.
We hope you’ll enjoy the gentle, natural taste of Kurosawa Farm’s ice cream during your stay.