RESERVE
JP EN

Open Daily. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

contact@heartranch.jp

+81 154 87 2121

128-4, North 1st Arekinai-genya, Shibecha, Kawakami District, Hokkaido

ACADEMY

In the Eastern Hokkaido region, including Kushiro, there are serious issues with agricultural challenges and increasing abandoned farmland. We are working on environmental conservation and animal welfare through nature experiences, aiming to promote horse culture.

Riding Society

This is an unique initiative where you will be able to experience horseback riding with no fees, in exchange for taking care of the horses.
We are recruiting primarily university students from Eastern Hokkaido, though high school students can join if they can arrange their own transportation.

In the local area of Shibecha Town, which has been a horse-breeding region since the Meiji era, and across the broader Kushiro area, there are no nationally recognized riding clubs at high schools or universities. We aim to bring horseback riding into the community of Kushiro, which has a cool climate ideal for horses.

We are starting with a stylish and charming riding sociery that welcomes young people. Specifically, in exchange for helping with horse care and farm cleaning, you can go on horse rides or receive riding training through a ‘barter’ system. We provide free of charge saddles, helmets, and life jackets for you to use.

Additional Benefits

Our team at Heart Ranch comes from diverse backgrounds in listed companies, including finance, PR, architecture, IT, apparel, and home equipment. While we are not mentors, we happily offer our point of view and supportive relationship, providing various advice that could also be helpful for students in their job search.

Azabu University Ranch Internships

Since 2023, we have been hosting students from the Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, both the Major of Veterinary Medicine and of Animal Science and Biotechnology.

Our internships cover horse care and management, breeding, biosecurity, and lectures from veterinarians. We aim for these practical internships to be beneficial not only for hands-on experience but also for aiding in your job search.

Ranch Volunteer Program

Our volunteer program is open to individuals aged 18 and over. (Accommodation available, with a minimum commitment of 2 weeks.)

Volunteers with prior experience in handling horses may be considered for a minimum commitment of 2 weeks.

For volunteers with little or no experience, as a general rule, we require a minimum commitment of 2 months. We prioritize applicants who are able to stay longer, as a longer period is essential for proper learning, consistency, and the wellbeing of both the horses and the people working with them.

Horses are large, sensitive animals, and beginners require close supervision and gradual guidance from our staff. A longer stay allows volunteers to build confidence step by step, develop practical skills safely, and form a respectful, meaningful relationship with the horses.

At Heart Ranch, our horses live as a herd in a natural environment that supports both their physical and emotional wellbeing. Many of them are still young, and we are careful to provide them with space, stability, and calm human interaction as they grow.

We believe wellbeing is not only for people, but also for the horses. Our goal is to create a place where both humans and horses feel safe, respected, and able to grow together.

For this reason, we encourage beginners to commit to a longer stay — so they can truly understand this environment and become part of it with care, responsibility, and continuity.