Hiruzen Dairy

Hiruzen is home to Japan's largest concentration of Jersey cattle, a breed imported from New Zealand in 1954 to make use of mountain grasslands unsuitable for crops. Jersey milk contains nearly 5 percent butterfat, higher than standard Holstein milk, giving it a slightly richer flavor and a faint yellow tinge from beta-carotene. Because the cows graze on highland pastures, the milk reflects the local terrain in ways similar to wine grapes. The result is a distinct character you can taste in the soft-serve ice cream, yogurt, and artisanal cheeses available at farms and roadside stops throughout the area.