Coming to Japan, most travelers look for something "Japanese" to experience. While, something like a tea ceremony or more modern pop culture tour may be on the top of your to-do list, how about something different? Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture is about a thirty minute drive from Yamagata Station. While the town is most famous for apples, it is fifty or so resident ostriches which really delight guests of all ages since being introduced around the new millennium.
Viewing the ostriches is free, and encouraged. The ostriches stay in large, outdoor pens. They seem to be just as curious of you as you are of them. Anyone in town can give directions, but your first stop should perhaps be Rauchern (ロイフェィン). This butcher shop sells prefectural ham, your usual meat fare, and you guessed it, ostrich meat. See the related picture for a map and contact info. The ostrich pens are just a five minute drive away.
