Taira Farm
Ryoko Taira (Yocchan)
Even though it was our first time meeting, there was something strangely familiar about Ryoko.
She has a warm, welcoming personality that makes you want to call her “Yocchan” right away.
We joined her and her husband for drinks one evening, and just as we had heard, they truly love their sake.
As we talked, we caught a glimpse of their happy family life.
Her dream is to build a processing facility using fruit grown on their own farm.
Balancing parenting and farming, she continues to move forward toward that goal.
From Tokyo Life to Family Farming
Born in Tokyo in 1983, Ryoko later met her husband Kazuaki at her workplace, and they eventually got married.
Before the birth of their second daughter, the family moved to Nanyo City in Yamagata, where her husband’s family runs a farm.
Their days are now filled with farming and raising children. Life is busy but joyful.
As their children grow older, they have also found more time to enjoy drinks together as a couple.
Since her teenage years, Ryoko has loved motorcycles, influenced by her father.
After graduating from high school, she chose not to attend college and instead joined a company that sold motorcycle gear.
With her own earnings, she paid for driving school and bought her first 400cc motorcycle.
Surrounded by the world she loved, she enjoyed a fulfilling life — until she met her husband, who shared the same passion.
They quickly connected through their shared love of bikes, and after dating, they married in 2009.
A Life-Changing Decision Sparked by “Delicious”
Her husband’s family had long planned to return to farming in Yamagata.
One day, their daughter tasted produce sent from the family farm and said, “It’s delicious!”
Their daughter had always been a picky eater, so this reaction meant a lot.
Seeing her joy, the couple began to think seriously about their future.
They decided they wanted to grow food that their children would truly enjoy.
That moment led them to move to Yamagata.
Starting a New Life in Yamagata
In 2013, just one month before the birth of their second daughter, the family moved to Yamagata.
Her husband began farming with his family.
Looking back, Ryoko laughs and says that the “It’s delicious!” story sounded like a perfect reason for moving.
Learning to Become a Farmer
After giving birth, Ryoko began her own journey as a farmer about a year later.
She learned from her parents-in-law, but everything was new and challenging.
For the first one to two years, she struggled to understand the work and even thought about quitting.
Growing Together with the Orchard
With support from experienced farmers, things gradually began to change.
After about three years, she started to understand how to care for crops.
Now, she treats them like her own children.
In addition to farming, she manages the farm’s website and social media, while balancing housework and parenting.
Looking Toward the Future
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they redesigned their website and product packaging.
Their labels gained attention for their cute design, leading to an increase in orders.
Still, Ryoko believes that continuing the same approach will not be enough.
She is always thinking about the next step.
Currently, they grow around 50 varieties of apples and are focusing on developing processed products.
She also hopes to contribute to local employment through these efforts.
Their apple juice, with its charming label design, has become especially popular.
